October 2003.

A friend wrote,

I am after any stats/data on pastor resignations covering areas like…. % of drop outs, denominational allegiance, theological persuasion, early/late entry into pastoral ministry etc.

My response:

Hi Peter The best person for the denominational statistics is Rev. Dr. Philip Hughes, of the Australian Christian Research Association: I’ll copy this to him.

He has the best available summary of 250 surveys we did (not quite a large enough sample for some things)…

My anecdotal research in more than 50 pastors’ conferences is that 50% of all pastors accredited/commissioned/ordained to serve in a parish will move from that ministry before they retire. The figure may actually now be higher. The question was put in these terms: ‘How many of your cohort served in a parish, and are now doing something else?’ For Baptists, Churches of Christ, and other evangelical denominations the responses have almost always been ‘over 50%’. The Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans and Reformed churches have a higher retention rate. Pentecostals have the highest turnover, followed by the Salvation Army (though with the latter there are special factors operating – such as both husband and wife were until recently called, and if one of them has a problem, both have to go; the S/Army also has more options for moving pastoral couples/people into ‘non-parish’ ministries).

Hope that helps.

Shalom!

Rowland Croucher