Why Your Pastor Left

Data, research, and stories about American pastoral decline.Nine of ten ministers know three or more peers who've been forced out of pastoral positions; a third of all pastors serve congregations who either fired the previous minister or actively forced their resignation; and at any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit. American church decline has reached epidemic proportions and in the last century, church influence has waned nearly 60%. Pastoral attrition is either an indicator of that problem or a central part of it. Why Your Pastor Left presents detailed statistics and identifies the top ten "Ministry Killers" that cause pastoral stress and eventual "burnout."***Moments after our pastor exited the building that afternoon in 2008, most of the congregation sat in shock. A tiny-but powerful minority wore victorious smiles, at the ministers ousting. The lady to my left wept. Her pleading question kept me awake all night. "Why did our pastor have to leave?" I also wanted answers, and began to research the problems ministers face; this book is filled with those discoveries.