Christopher D Schmitz

Why Your Pastor Left Christopher D Schmitz

Data, research, and stories about American pastoral decline.


Moments after our pastor exited the building that afternoon in 2008, most of the congregation sat in shock. A tiny-but powerful minority wore victorious smiles, at the ministers ousting. The lady to my left wept. Her question kept me awake all night. "Why did our pastor have to leave?" I wanted answers, and began researching the problems ministers face; this book is filled with those discoveries.


Nine of ten ministers know three or more peers who've been forced out of pastoral positions; a third of all pastors serve congregations who either fired the previous minister or actively forced their resignation; and at any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit.


American church decline has reached epidemic proportions and in the last century, church influence has waned nearly 60%. Pastoral attrition is either an indicator of that problem or a central part of it. Why Your Pastor Left presents detailed statistics and identifies the top ten "Ministry Killers" that cause pastoral stress and eventual "burnout."