Attrition: Why pastors resign their churches




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     Church growth analysts say sustained church health and growth is more likely when a pastor stays long term. So, why is the average tenure for a Nazarene pastor just over 3 years? Why does the attrition rate seem so high?
     At a recent conference on the campus of Southern Nazarene University, H.B. London said the top 5 reasons pastors give for resigning their churches are:

  1. "I can't see any progress being made."
  2. "I'm not able to use my gifts."
        "I can't do what I do best most often."
  3. "I'm facing some difficult members."
  4. "I need affirmation that I'm not getting."
  5. "I need rest and refreshment."

     London says that pastors should resist resigning unless there is clear and unequivocal divine direction.
     When a pastor is tempted to resign, he or she should ask these questions:

  1. Are I free here to pursue the essentials of ministry? If so, then it may be worth staying.
  2. Have I already left internally?
  3. Has my desire to leave been building for a long time?
  4. Do my gifts and philosophy of ministry match my church's needs? If so, then maybe I ought to stay and work through the problems.
  5. What am I normally inclined to do in tough situations? Do I normally shy away? If so, maybe this is the time to break the pattern?
  6. Do I have the emotional and physical strength to stay on?
  7. How much can my family endure?
"Love us and accept us"
     "A few years ago we had someone come and interview at our church for the position of pastor. My husband was the board secretary at the time. So we took this man and his wife out to dinner before taking them to see our congregation's facilities. Once the man walked into the church building, his mind seemed to go into a fast forward mode. He tuned out everything we were saying and just started looking underneath and behind things. His reaction to the sanctuary was to start talking about how it could be remodeled to make it better. I remember his actions made us feel like our church was not good enough.
     I have thought of that episode several times recently and reflected on how the man's actions paralleled someone going to a new culture and trying to change everything right away. This is very uncomfortable to those that have worked to make things the way they are. I understand we need to be open to change, but I want you to love and accept me just the way I am before I will trust you to suggest changes."
         -- Linda J.
 

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Cultural Anthropology    Introduction to Missions    Linguistics    Mexican Field Studies    Missions Strategies    Modern Missionary Movement (History of Missions)    Nazarene Missions    Church Growth and Christian Missions    Theology of Missions    Traditional Religions    World Religions
 
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Howard Culbertson, Southern Nazarene University, 6729 NW 39th, Bethany, OK 73008  |  Phone: 405-491-6693 - Fax: 405-491-6658
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