Most pastors stay in the pulpit, but many carry quiet burdens, Lifeway study shows

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Despite the well-documented challenges of pastoral ministry, a new Lifeway Research study finds that fewer than 2% of evangelical and Black Protestant pastors leave the ministry each year for reasons other than retirement or death—a rate that has remained stable since 2015.

The 2025 study, sponsored by Houston’s First Baptist Church and Dr. Richard Dockins, surveyed more than 1,500 pastors. Its findings underscore both the perseverance and the pressure many pastors experience.

“This survey lines up with what we’re seeing in Georgia—pastors are staying the course, but many are carrying heavy burdens,” said Chris Reynolds, lead strategist for Pastor Wellness at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. “That’s why Pastor Wellness is here. We offer care, coaching, and connection to help pastors stay healthy and encouraged. Thanks to the faithful giving of Georgia Baptists, we’re able to keep showing up for them in meaningful ways.”

The attrition rate—1.2% annually—is statistically unchanged from 1.3% in 2015 and 1.5% in 2021. Most pastors who do step away cite calling, conflict, or burnout as primary reasons.

“The rate of pastors departing the pastorate is steady and quite low given the demands of the role,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. "Many of those leaving the pastorate feel they are moving at God’s direction to another role of ministry. However, it’s easy for those outside and those inside the church to fixate on those who leave because of conflict, burnout, or moral failure. Speculation always overstates these cases, yet these are the outcomes churches can seek to prevent.”

Yet signs of struggle persist. Nearly half of pastors (47%) say ministry demands are more than they can handle. Two-thirds (67%) feel they are always “on-call.” One-third (34%) report feeling isolated, and nearly 1 in 5 (19%) say their church holds unrealistic expectations of them.

Reynolds added, “While the rate of pastors leaving the ministry remains low, the struggles they face—burnout, conflict, and isolation—are very real. GBMB Pastor Wellness exists to remind every pastor that they are not alone. Through intentional efforts and generous support, we’re able to provide vital resources and relationships that help pastors lead from a place of health and finish well.”

Although most pastors (91%) feel confident they can remain at their current church long-term, three-quarters expect to face conflict in the future, and most say they are actively preparing. Nine in 10 report listening for signs of conflict and investing in practices to prevent it. Still, fewer pastors are receiving classroom-based training in conflict resolution, down from 75% in 2015 to 66% in 2025.

The study also revealed that a quarter of pastors who left previous churches did so due to conflict, while 1 in 5 departed because their leadership approach wasn’t embraced.

“A pastor and congregation must work together,” said McConnell. “Maintaining unity is a biblical mandate that is easy to ignore when someone places too much importance on their own opinion.”

The data suggest a need for intentional soul care. While most pastors unplug from ministry at least once a week, this number has dropped from 85% in 2015 to 78% today. Daily time with the Lord is also lagging—only 54% say they consistently get away to spend time with God apart from sermon preparation.

While pastors may be quick to point to God’s provision, agreement with statements about deserving respect and protecting their image, "may also suggest the presence of self-importance,” McConnell said, warning that unchecked pride can undermine even well-meaning leaders.

Encouragingly, the median pastoral tenure at one church is eight years, and 44% of churches that had a pastor a decade ago still have the same leader today. Many pastors say they left a previous church not due to scandal, but because they had taken the church as far as they could or needed a change for their family.

The study is a reminder that while ministry challenges are real, support systems—like Pastor Wellness in Georgia—can make a significant difference.

For more on the study or to view the full report, visit LifewayResearch.com.