Perseverance in Ministry

It is hard to find evidence of the numbers of clergy in the Church of England who leave ministry before retirement. However, a survey of American pastors in 2022 revealed that 42% of those currently in ministry were seriously considering quitting. A similar recent survey in Australia showed there were the same number of former clergy as those currently serving – many of whom had resigned not retired. The current situation in the Church of England might lead to people leaving and serving in another denomination, but despite the lack of statistics it seems unlikely that there are not also a significant number considering leaving ministry altogether.

In my “spare time” I research and write about Christians from the past. Many endured trials that we would consider unendurable, often in times when the church was in as bad a state as it is today – but persevered! So we are going see what we can learn from that great cloud of witnesses that might help us keep going faithfully and joyfully today.

Low income is apparently one of the main reasons people leave ministry. George and Mary Muller often had no food to give the many orphans they cared for in early 19th century Bristol, and Susannah Wesley had to sell the family furniture to pay her clergy husband’s debts. Poverty in ministry is not new, and although we might not be as rich as our neighbours, we all live in luxury compared to most clergy in the past. The Mullers famously prayed for God’s provision – and he provided, always just in time, and just enough. Susannah Wesley was also a great pray-er. We may know of her habit of covering her head with her apron to show her hordes of children that she was praying, but she also spent hours alone in prayer and Bible study each day, despite having nineteen children and a financially irresponsible husband to care for. George, Mary and Susannah trusted God to provide and learnt to be content with what they had. We have a lot to learn from their attitude and practice.

Opposition to their ministry is another reason some pastors give up. Susannah Welsey’s family had their house burnt down twice, their dog and cows mutilated and the glebe land – their main source of income – destroyed by disaffected parishioners. She understood that some of this opposition was because of her husband’s politics and abrasive personality and took it upon herself to win locals over, inviting them into their home for prayer and Bible reading while he was away. It worked! Sometimes we can make opposition worse and need to work to build bridges. Her sons John and Charles faced opposition for their gospel message. They were locked out of pulpits, lambasted in the press and assaulted with rotten vegetables and rocks when they preached. They understood the offence of the gospel and the path of suffering Jesus promised – and kept going.

Stress and poor mental health is also is a major factor which leads to the end of ministry. It is not a modern problem. Charles Spurgeon suffered from anxiety, depression and PTSD following the deaths of seven people after a stampede at one of his meetings. He suffered from flashbacks for the rest of his life, which at times prevented him from preaching. He knew that pastoral ministry takes its toll “Who can bear the weight of souls without sometimes sinking to the dust?” He also appreciated the role of suffering. “Affliction is…the best book in a minister’s library.” He was also honest about his struggles which meant that others understood when he was not able to fulfil his duties and when he needed extended rest. Despite his relentless hard work when he was well enough, he was happy regularly to head to Mentone in the South of France for much needed relaxation in the sunshine with Christian friends. Honesty, days off and holidays are all excellent contributors to continuing in ministry.

In the Australian survey a proportion of ministers felt they couldn’t “Be real” in ministry and so left. Possibly they felt they were expected to fit an omnicompetent stereotype that they could never be – so faked it. Spurgeon is a great antidote to that thinking. Just looking at his brilliance, drive and success would lead any to feel inadequate. However, we also need to look at his struggles and vulnerability to see the reality of his life and ministry. It was through his weakness that Christ’s strength could shine.

John Newton’s determination that his life and ministry should be real and consistent took him in a different direction. He had often preached that God comforted the suffering. When his beloved wife died, despite his grief, he preached three times the following day to demonstrate that he believed it. His ministry was a prompt to live wholeheartedly for Christ. At this time he wrote “The promises of God must be true; surely the Lord will help me if I am willing to be helped.” When he feared that his life did not match what he preached he resolved to live out his preaching.

Looking at these men and women from the past can help put things in perspective. Our situation might be different but the problems we face are still very similar. We are still weak, sinful people and God is still loving and faithful. In Hebrews 12 we are encouraged to look at the great cloud of witnesses so that we can run the race with perseverance as they did; fixing our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith as they did.

I hope that looking at these examples of those who have persevered in the past will help us do the same.

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Clare Heath-Whyte is a popular speaker at women’s events and a Christian biographer. Her latest book is 'Last on God's list'. Clare is married to David and serves alongside him at their church in Morden, South London.

Views expressed in blogs published by the Latimer Trust are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Latimer Trust.