Malcontented Ministers? Predictors of Clergy Job Dissatisfaction and Thoughts of Leaving Ministry

Bibliographic Data

ID4232920
AuthorsLandon Schnabel (0000-0002-2674-3019, Cornell University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume68
Issue2
Pages322-338
Publication date2025-07-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReview of Religious Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2211-4866 • E-ISSN: 0034-673X
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0034673x251357307
OpenAlexW4412588562
LanguageEN
References cited43

This study examines factors associated with clergy job dissatisfaction and thoughts of leaving ministry, using nationally representative data from the National Survey of Religious Leaders (NSRL). While most U.S. clergy report high job satisfaction, substantial variation exists. Contrary to expectations, factors like gender and differences in theology or politics show weak associations with dissatisfaction and exit intentions. Instead, three factors emerge as robust predictors: feeling less cared for by one's congregation, poor mental health, and religious doubts. Notably, many clergy who consider leaving think about transitioning to other religious work rather than exiting ministry entirely, suggesting position-specific rather than vocation-wide discontent. Among the key predictors, feeling cared for by one's congregation shows the strongest and most consistent associations across outcomes. These findings highlight how relational support, psychological well-being, and belief-role congruence relate to satisfaction and retention in occupations that blend professional demands with personal calling. The results challenge assumptions about what drives clergy from their posts and offer insights for understanding worker well-being in demanding service professions

Christian ministry · Political science · Social science · Sociology · Sociology of religion · Law · Psychology · Religion, Society, and Development · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology · Workplace Spirituality and Leadership

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