Clergy Who Leave Congregational Ministry: A Review of the Literature

Since its inception in the 1960s, research on premature (i.e., pre-retirement) clergy attrition from congregational ministry has focused identifying factors that precipitate and mitigate exits, while rates at which leave have been inconsistently tracked. The literature is peppered with claims of alarmingly high departure; however, these studies lack strong empirical support. evidence, fragmentary, consistently shows pastors do not large numbers. Incidence about 1%–2% per year typical across Protestant denominations among Roman Catholic priests. In addition, contrary to popular conceptions, there little evidence particularly first 5 years ministry. terms reasons for leaving, Protestants, most common factor named conflict congregation or denominational system; a smaller number pursue personal goals care family. Among Catholics, loneliness isolation, tied major part celibacy requirement, are significant cited leaving. Finances loss faith rarely as leaving either Catholics Protestants.