Why do so many pastors buckle under the weight of the job?
The Pastors Institute, an Indianapolis-based organization, has launched a nationwide study on why embittered pastors quit the pulpit in such striking numbers.
The Alban Institute in Washington has estimated that at least 17 percent of clergy suffer from stress or burnout, while other surveys have placed the percentage of dissatisfied preachers much higher.
Michael Ross, a former Nazarene pastor who runs the nonprofit Pastors Institute, is calling on former ministers in 13 other cities to share their reasons for leaving the pulpit through an Internet survey.
The survey includes questions about burnout, personal life and future plans. Ross plans to take the answers and shape programs to help ex-pastors.
He also is eager to share his research with denomination leaders, so they can learn more about what has gone wrong in clergy careers.
The cities chosen to participate in the study are Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Columbus/Dayton, Ohio; Dallas; Denver; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Mo; Memphis, Tenn.; Nashville, Tenn.; Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Diego and Tampa, Fla.
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