‘Great Resignation’ Among Pastors: How to Counter it and What it Teaches About Ministry Communication
The great resignation phenomenon that rocked the United States during the early part of 2021 shocked particularly the business industries and employment sector. Aside from wage and safety issues, employees still preferred a work from home arrangement obviously for safety and convenience.
Experts also note that the massive exodus of employees from their previous jobs was so they could reinvent their careers, and according to a CNBC report, the trend continues (Iacurci, 2022).
There is a similar movement among pastors in America, according to one denominational leader who I had a chance to talk to over the weekend. American ministers, he lamented, are leaving the ministry. However, the issue is neither about safety nor better pay. It’s discouragement.
What is the root of this despair?
Pastors often encounter their members at the local Walmart stores and yet would not go to church on Sundays. In short, parishioners are not coming back and church pews are empty. This is the post-pandemic scenario.
I am no psychologist, but when the people you’re trying to shepherd don’t show up, you’d feel dejected. It’s as if they don’t like you or there’s something with you as a preacher. As a communicator and educator, I would feel the same way if my audience is disinterested, and I would automatically put the blame on me. What have I done wrong or what’s wrong with my communication?
Likewise, the pastors seem to be blaming themselves for something that was beyond their control. Perhaps, they were not effective anymore? Thus, discouragement. If they don’t like me or what I am doing, then maybe the best way is to leave pastoring. This is probably what is going on inside them.
Reflecting on this, I was reminded of the post-resurrection encounter between Jesus and Peter. Gripped with hopelessness and desperation because of the shameful death and eventual burial of their Leader, the disciples abandoned their calling as fishers of men (and women) and went back to their previous activities. Peter in particular returned to his first love: fishing.
What can denominations do? What about the ministers themselves, how should they deal with the seeming fallout among believers? How can they help themselves?
Insights on Church/Ministry Communication
Communication is such a wide arena and it encompasses church, ministry, and missions, among others. Because of this, I believe I can offer an expert opinion that draws from communication theories (and sociolinguistic principles) while also grounded in the scriptures.
Virtual Church Service. Because of Covid-19 and its continuing threat, ministry communication has become mainly digital or electronic rather than in person. The Internet and its myriads of platforms have become the default means for people to experience church. This is a (or THE) new normal for some or many churches, thus, our communication strategies must adapt as well.
Large Group, Small Group, and Individual Communication. Members have reasons for not going to church on Sundays. It’s possible that they would go to the supermarket but not to a church service. Unless we become too judgmental, we have to realize that there is no substitute to food or grocery-shopping, so believers may purchase food items but not attend church. They could choose to attend virtual church anyway or contend that they could have their personal worship time or meet with a small group for similar purposes.
In this day and age, communication strategies be diversified. A combination of in-person and electronic prayer times, follow-ups, visitations has become inevitable, etc., and I’d like to believe that this is still God-sent.
Thus, instead of assuming that we are losing our members or that they have grown cold (although that is possible), there are countless communication strategies and approaches that can be tapped.
When early believers were scattered because of persecution, they took advantage of their situation to spread the gospel. This communication model in church and ministry setting has not changed — we simply need to adapt and be creative although I must admit it is not easy. Well, it has never been easy since the founding of the early church.
In short, you can still keep your members but maybe on a remote set-up, either wholly or partly. The question is are you willing to take on the challenge. Make use of various platforms and means of communicating. Ministry does not always have to involve (large) group meetings. Those who have always thought of church as consisting of many attendees are in for a great frustration. In fact, I believe mega-churches may not be God’s idea, but that calls for another article.
Reaching out to one is still a great ministry endeavor.
Feed my sheep. Peter was confronted with the same dilemma. Jesus probed, “Peter do you love Me?” and the latter said, “Yes, Lord I love you.” Then Jesus said lovingly with a tinge of rebuke, “Then feed my sheep.”
That question was raised three times to the point that the disgruntled disciple was offended. But the communication (ministry) challenge was clear — Peter must continue in his and adapt now that his Leader was leaving him behind. And if he indeed loved Jesus, he should not renege on his promise of feeding God’s flock against all odds and by all means possible.
The preceding needs to be recognized by denominational leaders, and pass it down their pastors while also doing their best to boost their morale and remind them of the greatest vocation in the entire universe.
While they need to understand and stand alongside their men (and women) in ministry — that by the way is a critical aspect of their communicative role — they ought to bring them back to that time when they resolved to serve God and His church. Pastors should never give up for the sake of the flock and their love of Christ, and their leaders must do the same by helping them keep the good fight and finish the race.
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Rafael I. Santos, a PhD candidate in English Studies (Language), teaches college-level communication subjects and graduate-level courses in Christian communication in a US-funded seminary.
