Note from Rowland Croucher (2005):

This research has been halted for the time being… until we can find someone who wants to continue to do it for a doctoral dissertation.

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The following survey is being sent to one in 20 of all the ex-pastors we can find, in Australia. Already one in 40 (250) have been returned and the findings tabulated. Brief preliminary reports for five denominations have been issued. Except for Baptists, however, the samples are still too small for definitive trends: we need your help to print this off and pass it on to an ex-pastor you know – who has left an Australian parish ministry anytime in the last thirty years.

(For the statistical experts reading this, they’re being processed through an SPSS program).

When funds can be found, the remaining 250 returns will be processed.

For non-Australian researchers, this questionnaire may be replicated with permission, provided we can share and cross-tabulate the findings!

Thank you and

Shalom! Rowland Croucher

EX-PASTORS: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CLERGY LEAVE PARISH MINISTRY?

This study examines aspects of transition among those who were commissioned/ordained to parish (pastoral/congregational) ministry in Australian Anglican, Protestant, Evangelical/Independent, and Pentecostal denominations, and who moved into another religious or secular vocation.

Some observers believe more pastors and priests are leaving parish ministry than are lost to any other profession. There are probably 10,000 Australian women and men who were once in pastoral ministry, and now, for a variety of reasons, are pursuing another vocation. For a few, the transition was relatively stress-free, but for most the emotional and spiritual strain associated with exiting what was intended to be a life-long vocation has been considerable.

In order to gain insight into the process of leaving pastoral/ parish ministry will you please complete this questionnaire. It should only take about an hour. At the end you are invited to give your name, address and phone number. Feel free not to do so if you would rather not. Although we may have your name and address on file, your name will not be associated with the responses in this questionnaire. Absolute confidentiality is assured.

Your participation will help John Mark Ministries and the Christian Research Association recommend better selection procedures, pre- and post-ordination programs and clergy support systems.

Thank you.

(Rev.Dr.) Rowland C. Croucher

A. WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO YOU AS YOU LEFT PARISH MINISTRY?

First, what was the denomination (Anglican, Assemblies of God, Christian Brethren, Presbyterian etc.) of the last church you pastored?……………………………………………..

Now, Circle one of the five numbers next to every issue. Feel free to elaborate briefly, if you wish, in the space provided.

1. Not at all significant
2. Of little significance
3. Of some significance
4. Fairly significant
5. Very significant

1 2 3 4 5
1.CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES – events which may be a key factor in later experiences of ministerial well-being ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
2.SIGNIFICANT OTHERS – some enter ministry influenced by family, peers, or others in their childhood church ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
3.CALLING – motivations for entering ministry? Doubts about reality of call? ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
4.CAREER CHANGE – you left to follow another chosen calling ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
5.`SUCCESS/FAILURE’ FACTORS – decline in attendance, offerings etc. ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
6.SPOUSE – strength of or difficulties in marriage ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
7.SPOUSE – strength or lack of a `shared call’ ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
8.SPOUSE’S JOB (if any) – conflict between vocations ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
9.SPOUSE – degree of acceptance of unique lifestyle of ministry (eg. spouse coping/not coping with criticism etc.) ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
10.FAMILY FACTORS – behavioural, sickness, education, lifestyle problems with children ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
11.HOUSING – adequate/inadequate housing provided by church ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
12.SALARY LEVEL/FINANCIAL FACTORS – adequacy of salary/stipend; degree/importance of debt; ability to meet lifestyle expectations; independent income etc ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
13.MOBILITY – problems associated with moving/relocations ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
14.SEMINARY TRAINING – degree to which seminary prepared you in knowledge/skill development for leadership and pastoral ministry ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
15.FAITH PILGRIMAGE DURING SEMINARY YEARS – degree to which seminary experience enhanced spirituality ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
16.CONTINUING EDUCATION – knowledge/skill development, personal growth/non-growth ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
17.MENTORS/MODELS/SUPERVISORS in early years of ministry – adequacy of help ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
18.THE ENCOURAGEMENT FACTOR – amount/degree from spouse, denominational officials, colleagues, leaders in congregation ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
19.RELATIONSHIPS with Bishop/Superintendent/Denominational Leader. Relationships with friends (or lack of friends); friends within congregation; among colleagues; other friends ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
20.RELATIONSHIP with Ministry Colleagues (or lack of relationship) eg. colleagues in same/other denominations; the local ministers’ fraternal; district/state/ denominational gathering of pastors/priests of your denomination ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
21.RELATIONSHIP/S WITH COUNSELLOR or SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
22.SPIRITUAL FORMATION DURING MINISTRY YEARS – how close to God? Spiritual dryness. Doubts. Loss of faith. Problems with guilt, fear, anxiety, prayer/non-prayer with others etc. ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
23.SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES – prayer, fasting, solitude/silence, journaling, retreats, meditation/contemplation: adequate/inadequate practice for spiritual rigours of ministry ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
24.THEOLOGICAL POSITION – incompatible with congregation. Which issues were relevant? ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
25.THEOLOGICAL POSITION – incompatible with denomination. Which issues were relevant? ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
26.ETHICAL ISSUES – eg. ethical guidelines non-existent/ irrelevant/ inadequate. Which ethical issues were relevant? ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
27.MORAL OR SPIRITUAL VALUES – personal changes impacting on your exit. Which issues were relevant? ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
28.MANAGEMENT/MISMANAGEMENT OF PERSONAL/CHURCH FINANCE ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
29.DENOMINATION: STRUCTURE; ORGANISATION – helpful/unhelpful? ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
30.CLERGY OVER-SUPPLY – another church has not extended a call to you ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
31.FIRST CHURCH/CHURCHES SERVED – experiences (positive or negative) which influenced your exit ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
32.RELATIONSHIPS WITH LEADERS WITHIN CHURCH/CHURCHES SERVED Which – deacons, elders, parish council or pastoral team members? ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
33.CONFLICT WITHIN CONGREGATION/S SERVED. What was the issue? ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
34.PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY – eg. Sacramental/ `Cure of Souls’/ Enabling/ Empowering/ Leading/ Shepherding/ `Charismatic’. Your `philosophy’ immediately before leaving?…………………… Degree of acceptance by congregation/denominational leaders ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
35.STYLE OF MINISTRY – Reaper, teacher, enabler, priest, shepherd, team captain, prophet, interpreter, catalyst/activist. Your `style’ immediately before leaving……………………. Degree of acceptance by congregation/denominational leaders ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
36.ROLES IN MINISTRY – Evangelist, preacher, priest, pastor, organiser, scholar, educator, facilitator, social reformer. Your `role/s’ immediately before leaving?………………….. Degree of acceptance by congregation/denominational leaders. Ability to express ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
37.DIFFICULTY ACCEPTING/ADJUSTING TO ASPECTS OF MINISTRY – Youth work, music, pastoral care, administration, counselling, leading, pastoring, preaching, relating to the church-as-institution, sacramental ministries, children’s ministry, young marrieds, singles, mid-life people, older people, traditionalists/ conservative/ progressive people. Aspects of your ministry immediately before leaving?………… Describe difficulties……………………………………. ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
38.CULTURAL FACTORS – incompatibilities: city/rural; cross-cultural/caste; social class; education ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
39.SELF Evaluation/self image – psychological factors, (eg. degree of self-confidence, ability/inability to cope, awareness of strengths and weaknesses, etc.) ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
40.HEALTH FACTORS – eg. stress/burnout; chronic/acute physical or psychiatric illness in self; disabilities ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
41.GENDER/SEXUAL FACTORS – homosexual/bisexual orientation, sexual temptations/activity outside marriage ……………………………………………………….

1 2 3 4 5
42.OTHER FACTORS …………………………………………

B. THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS HAVE TO DO WITH THE TRANSITION YOU MADE FROM PARISH MINISTRY TO SOME OTHER VOCATION.

`PRESENTING’ VS. UNDERLYING FACTORS.

43. List the key `stated’ or `obvious’ reasons for leaving parish ministry ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

44. If a spiritual director, counsellor or trusted friend asked: `But what might have been the real reasons (say, in the areas of the reality of faith, calling etc?)’ How would you respond? ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

ATTITUDES RELATING TO MINISTRY.

45. What were the most positive and enriching aspects of parish ministry? ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

46. What were the most negative and frustrating aspects of parish ministry?……………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

HELP DURING TRANSITION.

47. Who offered what kind of help to you and your spouse/family during departure? (Identify source and describe)……………………….. ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

48. Did you seek help (excluding financial help)? Specify source and assess assistance received…………………………………….. …………………………………………………………….

49. Did you seek financial help? Assess assistance received…………… …………………………………………………………….

50. As you considered leaving, what was the response of your superior, closest ministry colleagues, church leaders, members?…………….. ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

51. Describe the impact of leaving pastoral ministry on your spouse or children or others significant to you…………………………… ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

52. INFLUENCES DURING TRANSITION. Was the decision to leave influenced by any particular writers, preachers, or other information sources? (Name three or four)……………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………….

53. PASTORAL MINISTRY is usually viewed as a permanent calling. What difficulty may you have had in coming to terms with leaving earlier than anticipated?…………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

GENERAL OVERVIEW.

54. Describe in your own words how you felt as you made the transition out of parish ministry……………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

55. How do you feel now?………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………….

56. How have your spouse/children (if any) adjusted to life after transition?………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

57. Do you have any recommendations for changes in call, selection, training, continuing education, or encouragement and support of pastors in your denomination?………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

C. THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ASK YOU TO REFER BACK TO THE ISSUES LISTED IN SECTION A, THE ONES WHICH YOU CIRCLED AS FAIRLY OR VERY SIGNIFICANT. (Feel free to use extra pages).

58. Please select the most significant issue and describe how it was influential in your leaving parish ministry ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

59. Please select the second most significant issue and describe how it was influential in your leaving parish ministry ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

60. Please select the third most significant issue and describe how it was influential in your leaving parish ministry ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

61. Please select the fourth most significant issue and describe how it was influential in your leaving parish ministry ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

62. Please select the fifth most significant issue and describe how it was influential in your leaving parish ministry ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

63. Anything else you would add about your leaving parish ministry?……. ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

D. BIODATA

64. Date of birth………………… 65. Place of birth……………..

66. Sex…………..

67. Marital history: please specify dates of marriage/separation/divorce/ death of spouse/remarriage (or never married) …………………………………………………………….

68. Denominational history: please specify denomination/s attended/served/ including infancy, baptism, attendance, ordination, ministry, current official membership, current attendance (include approximate dates) ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

69. How regularly have you attended a church in the last 12 months? …………………………………………………………….

70. What ministries/positions do you hold in this church? …………………………………………………………….

71. Religion/denomination of father………… 72. mother…………….

73. Members of family in ordained ministry…………………………..

74. Position in family (eldest, second etc.)…………………………

75. Nationality……………. 76. Academic degrees/diplomas from which institutions?………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………….

77. Theological training institution………………………………..

78. Graduation date……………. 79. When ordained…………………

80. Ordained to what ministry? – deacon, priest etc…………………..

81. Positions in churches pastored (solo pastor, senior, associate) ……………………….. 82. Positions outside local congregation (eg. denominational/civic/chaplain)……………………………..

83. How many churches pastored…………… 84. Total duration of ministry (years)………………… 85. Last church pastored…….. ………………………… 86. Full/part time…………………

87. Location of last parish served: city centre, inner/outer urban, suburban, country regional/rural………………………………..

88. Year since last pastorate………………..

89. Did you ever take special leave from parish ministry at any time? What support was offered to you during this time?…………………….. …………………………………………………………….

90. How often, when, and for how long did you ever get counselling and/or spiritual direction?………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………….

91. How many (if any) people did you regard as very close friends during your time in pastoral ministry with whom you could talk about the difficulties of pastoring>………. Who were they? (childhood friends, seminary peers, ministry colleagues, church members, spouse etc.)………………………………………………………..

92. Your current employment………………………………………..

E. CONCLUSION

93. If you can supply names and addresses of other ex-pastors, of former clergy, that would be most appreciated. ……………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………….

94. Name…………………………………………………………

95. Address………………………………………………………

96. Telephone(…..)………………(home)(…..)……………….work

Please return completed questionnaire to Rev. Dr. Rowland Croucher by email: simply click on the ‘Contact Us’ button top right on your screen.