Fewer pastors are now reporting dissatisfaction with their job or doubt in their calling, but that rebound isn’t as noticeable among younger pastors, according to a new report from Barna.
Recently published data from the Evangelical Christian polling firm’s latest report, The State of Pastors, Volume 2 — — show the rebounding confidence and security pastors now have in their jobs compared to the burnout they said they were experiencing as they emerged from the ravages of the COVID-19 lockdowns in recent years.
While many pastors previously considered leaving their jobs, data collected by Barna from 523 online interviews with Protestant senior pastors in the U.S, showed they are now feeling much better.
In 2022, just 35% of pastors said they were “more confident” in their calling than they had been when they started in ministry. In 2023, the share of pastors who say they are now “more confident” in their calling than when they started ministry increased to 51%. Another 39% said they are “just as confident.” The share of pastors who said they were “less confident” in their calling fell from 14% in 2022 to 9% in 2023.
There was also a similar uptick in satisfaction among pastors with their current church. Some 47% of pastors reported they were “very satisfied” with the ministry in 2023 compared with 38% who said the same in 2022.