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Clergy Who Leave Congregational Ministry: A Review of the Literature

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hamm, AK; Eagle, DE
Published in: Journal of Psychology and Theology
December 1, 2021

Since its inception in the 1960s, research on premature (i.e., pre-retirement) clergy attrition from congregational ministry has focused on identifying the factors that precipitate and mitigate ministry exits, while the rates at which clergy leave the ministry have been inconsistently tracked. The literature on clergy attrition is peppered with claims of alarmingly high rates of departure; however, these studies lack strong empirical support. The evidence, while fragmentary, consistently shows that pastors do not leave congregational ministry in large numbers. Incidence of attrition of about 1%–2% per year is typical across Protestant denominations and among Roman Catholic priests. In addition, contrary to popular conceptions, there is little evidence attrition is particularly high in the first 5 years of congregational ministry. In terms of the reasons for leaving, among Protestants, the most common factor named is conflict with the congregation or denominational system; a smaller number leave to pursue personal goals or to care for family. Among Catholics, loneliness and isolation, tied in major part to the celibacy requirement, are the most significant reasons cited for leaving. Finances or a loss of faith are rarely cited as reasons for leaving among either Catholics or Protestants.

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Published In

Journal of Psychology and Theology

DOI

EISSN

2328-1162

ISSN

0091-6471

Publication Date

December 1, 2021

Volume

49

Issue

4

Start / End Page

291 / 307

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 5005 Theology
  • 2204 Religion and Religious Studies
  • 1701 Psychology
 

Citation

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Hamm, A. K., & Eagle, D. E. (2021). Clergy Who Leave Congregational Ministry: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 49(4), 291–307. https://doi.org/10.1177/00916471211011597
Hamm, A. K., and D. E. Eagle. “Clergy Who Leave Congregational Ministry: A Review of the Literature.” Journal of Psychology and Theology 49, no. 4 (December 1, 2021): 291–307. https://doi.org/10.1177/00916471211011597.
Hamm AK, Eagle DE. Clergy Who Leave Congregational Ministry: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Psychology and Theology. 2021 Dec 1;49(4):291–307.
Hamm, A. K., and D. E. Eagle. “Clergy Who Leave Congregational Ministry: A Review of the Literature.” Journal of Psychology and Theology, vol. 49, no. 4, Dec. 2021, pp. 291–307. Scopus, doi:10.1177/00916471211011597.
Hamm AK, Eagle DE. Clergy Who Leave Congregational Ministry: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Psychology and Theology. 2021 Dec 1;49(4):291–307.

Published In

Journal of Psychology and Theology

DOI

EISSN

2328-1162

ISSN

0091-6471

Publication Date

December 1, 2021

Volume

49

Issue

4

Start / End Page

291 / 307

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • 5205 Social and personality psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 5005 Theology
  • 2204 Religion and Religious Studies
  • 1701 Psychology