Why Many New Pastors Don’t Survive Their First Five Years—and How We Can Fix This

Newer pastors burnout generally not because regular preaching and teaching are more difficult than they expected, but because these activities too often happen under the stress of sharp conflict.

Preparing to enter vocational ministry is an exciting adventure. You feel a sense of calling - a strong desire to pursue a path filled with meaning and fulfilment. You’re going to get paid to do what you've been trained to do, and what you've been trained to do is also what you love to do.

What could go wrong? Plenty, as every experienced pastor knows.

Uncovering Common Pitfalls in Ministry

The Duke University study which found that 85% of those who train for full-time ministry are out of ministry within five years likely needs some adjustments and clarifications. Even if the number is closer to 75% or 50%, the point remains: there are significant gaps in our current process of vocational ministry preparation.

In my numerous interactions with pastors, particularly those 10-20 years younger than me (I’m 49), common themes emerge in their stories. They mention feeling unprepared for the fierce conflicts, experiences of betrayal, personal attacks, and rumour campaigns. They are blindsided by people who lead from the shadows and hold power because of their family’s name and influence.

In most cases, the training these younger pastors received was good, but it failed to prepare them for the most difficult parts of ministry. For example, they were not made aware of the unique strains that ministry would put upon their marriages. And they weren't alerted to the fact that betrayals in ministry are inevitable and that with each betrayal, they would be tempted to distrust and become more guarded.

These are not mere or slight “distractions” from the good work they were trained to do. They are debilitating experiences that hinder pastors’ ability to perform effectively by consuming significant portions of their time with unexpected and unprepared-for challenges.

The Critical First Five Years

I’m convinced this is the story for many who don’t survive the first five years. Numerous competent young pastors find themselves disillusioned, not only with ministry but with life in general. There must come a shift in the training of prospective pastors and a greater emphasis on care and mentoring for those already in pastoral positions.

Challenges in the areas in which pastors are not trained inevitably prevent them from ministering capably in the areas in which they are. Young pastors burnout generally not because regular preaching and teaching are more difficult than they expected, but because these activities too often happen under the immense stress of sharp conflict that is unexpected. The “unexpected” part is the key.

Warfare: Preparing for Battle

Conflict in ministry cannot be eliminated; it is inevitable and should be expected. This has always been and will be a reality, but the fact that it is so often unexpected is a glaring concern.

Imagine training a soldier and omitting from the curriculum the fact that he will at some point take fire from enemy combatants. Such a soldier might come to believe that his mission is to stay fit, sharpen his skills, and go on long hikes in the countryside. It would be a surprise, then, when he learns that these activities are a means of preparation and not the end in themselves.

We cannot and must not continue sending pastors into the theatre of real spiritual warfare without adequately informing them of the reality and certainty of adversity. As experienced pastors, we’ve all experienced a measure of warfare in our ministries. All the indicators point to a more hostile battlefield in our post-COVID world.

Advice for Aspiring Pastors

What I’ve written here speaks to only one aspect of pastoral ministry - a big one, but only one. These experiences are not to be the main thing, nor are they in any way presented here as a plea for sympathy or as the totality of ministry. Pastoral ministry is filled with innumerable joys. The privileges afforded to us as pastors are of a magnitude that few others experience.

Unfortunately, if current data is accurate, well over half of those who pursue pastoral ministry will never have the opportunity to both plant the seeds of their efforts and see the resulting harvest. That’s unfortunate and we should do something about it.

If you think you might be called to pastoral ministry or if you’re struggling in your current pastoral assignment, don’t let fear sidetrack that calling. Look to all the privileges and benefits of pastoring while also acknowledging that hard things will happen. You’re not afraid of hard things, I know, but the unexpected hard things could threaten your joy and effectiveness. The Lord is ready to sustain you, providing much joy even amid many sorrows - but you must learn to lean on him.

No amount of training can fully prepare you for all the realities of ministry. You will learn much by experience, but the anticipation of an experience is helpful preparation for the experience itself, and we need to do a better job preparing you.

Realistic expectations, practical resources, and consistent mentoring can significantly reduce the risk of burnout and disillusionment.

A Call to Action

Below is a brief collection of ideas to spark conversation. If any of the following is already being implemented somewhere effectively, please contact me. I’d be happy to compile a directory of resources.

Theological Seminaries and Bible Colleges: Include or increase training in biblical conflict resolution, burnout prevention, and other realities of pastoral ministry.

Denominational Leaders and Church Networks: Seek to implement or improve mentoring programs, support structures, and training resources.

Church Elder Teams/Boards: Assist your pastor in finding and accessing resources that will fortify him in his ministry.

Experienced (and Retired) Pastors: You have much to offer by way of your experiences and long-term faithfulness. Many younger pastors would love to be mentored. Are you willing to do some of this work?

My contribution to these efforts is this ministry called The Shepherd’s Refuge. One year ago I sensed God calling me to wrap up a 15-year pastoral assignment to start working to establish a ministry that would offer care, coaching, and connection to pastors and other ministry leaders.

If you are a pastor, pastor-to-be, or ex-pastor who desires to pastor again, please get in touch with me. I am happy to walk with you on the journey, offering wisdom and insight based on my experience.

Follow this link to my contact page.

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Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.