One of the objectives and mission of the Kingdom Partnership (www.thekingdompartnership.us) is to encourage, support, and walk alongside pastors wherever they have a ministry. Way out in the country to a large city.

As I travel to rural and small churches, talk with various pastors, it’s easy to see the many challenges of staying in the ministry. It’s a bit concerning to realize that a greeter at Wal-Mart with its minimum wage salary, health and education benefits, and various perks easily out does that of many preachers.

Logically, it makes more sense that if you have to provide for a family and expenses, one would be smart to take the greeter job.

Many of our pastors have degrees in different ministries but that degree doesn’t pay the bills. Plus, to be honest, it’s not until one leaves college and gets a ‘job’ that he learns a whole lot more than what came out of a classroom.

A new study has identified the specific conditions under which pastors are more likely to leave the ministry. Though few exit before retirement, those who do tend to face common stressors within their churches and personal lives.

One of the strongest indicators of longevity was whether pastors could share their personal struggles with others in their congregations according to a study by Lifeway Research.

Pastors who said they opened up at least monthly to lay leaders were 2.2 times more likely to still be serving, while those who regularly spoke with a Bible study group were 3.9 times more likely to stay. Of course there is a danger who that trusted church member could be.

The analysis also found that isolation was closely linked to burnout, with 68% of former pastors reported feeling isolated in their role. Pastors who reported feeling more isolated were 1.7 times less likely to still be in the ministry.

Family dynamics also played a significant role as pastors who reported putting family ahead of pastoral duties when time conflicts arose increased their chances of staying in the ministry by1.7 times. Involving family members in ministry also influenced a pastor’s longevity.

While in the pulpit ministry I was blessed to have a son who was an outstanding baseball player. Boy could that kid pitch, field, and hit. Every season he always made an All-Star team. One year we came within a single inning of making it to the Little League World Series. Then he was quarterback of his high school football team. And just for fun was on the starting five of the basketball team.

Now why do I bring this up? The church. Looking back, I realize I missed some games for what would be an insignificant meeting. But being at that meeting was my job. This isn’t sour grapes on my part. It’s just the way I thought it had to be. God first and family second. Notice I said God and not church. Maybe there are some of you out there saying, “Yep, I get it.”

I have a friend who was the Executive Director of a very large metropolitan YMCA. Talk about responsibilities! This YMCA had hundreds of employees, six different branch YMCAs, a Board of Directors to serve, large leadership staff, and a multiple million-dollar budget. His schedule often times was insane.

But Bob had his priorities when it came to his marriage. Every Thursday night was “Wife Night.” He and his wife would go out to eat at a nice restaurant, go to a play, concert, whatever was something special. It was their one-to-one time together. Bob told me that his staff knew not to mess with Thursday night. He said, “I told my staff that unless one of our buildings was burning to the ground, do no call me.”

In speaking to a former Bible college professor, I asked if we were taught how to prioritize our families? How to set the guidelines with our congregation? When being hired should family time be a priority? His answer was direct and to the point. “Not like we should have.”

Take it from and old-bird. Congregations will come and go. Members will come and go. But our families are our treasures. Treat them as such.

And finally, the report shared that age and church size variables for whether a pastor quits early or remains until retirement age. For example, pastors age 55-64 were 2.6 times more likely to step away than other age groups. Pastors leading churches with 100 to 249 weekly attendees were 1.8 times less likely to remain in the ministry, while those leading congregations of 250 or more were 7.3 times more likely to leave!

Within the study it also revealed that out of 730 respondents cited conflict in the church as the reason for leaving with another 16% citing “burnout” as the reason. The lead reason for 40% leaving was a “change in calling”, while other reasons included family issues (10%), personal finances (10%), illness (6%), and being a poor fit with a church (6%).

But there is help for any pastors facing these challenges or other issues. The Kingdom Partnership (www.thekingdompartnership.us) offers its Shepherd’s Care Mental Health Program. With qualified ‘coaches’, mentors, and a licensed phycologist, were here to help. This service is FREE, confidential, and available 24/7. Remember “Burnout is not a badge of honor.” With a simple phone call or text to 402.297.6876 we will set you up with a coach who is a pastor himself and multiple resources. There is NO judgement with those seeking help.

So don’t try to ‘gut it out.’ We’re here to walk alongside you.