It was a confession, really. A long-time pastor friend sent an email saying, “This last year has been my hardest ministry year ever. I’ve asked my wife if I have any other marketable skills. I’m thinking of applying to the new Walmart.” I know a lot of pastors who dream about that.
In fact, recent studies found an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 pastors quit each year. It’s an alarming trend, but they are not alone. According to ResumeBuilder.com, nearly three in 10 full-time workers are likely to quit their jobs in 2024.
Just Quit
Recently, I wrote a candid piece saying, “Maybe I Should Just Quit.” It brought a strong response. Apparently, many of us entertain this thought more than we admit. I did my best to make a scriptural case for enduring hard times. God has a way of using those unwanted, painful situations to shape our character.
However, it begs a legitimate question: Is there ever a time to quit?
Sure, when God calls us to something else. Although they make look the same on the outside, there is a HUGE difference between a calling from God and quitting.
A Calling
Following a calling comes through prayer and searching the Scriptures. It involves seeking wise counsel from spiritually mature people. The process is drawn by an earnest desire to seek God’s purpose for our lives. God says through the prophet Jeremiah,
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Discerning a call is often a long process, but when clarity comes, it is very exciting and energizing. As we check it out with spiritually discerning friends, it actually builds community and inspires faith in others who have witnessed our process.
Quitting is completely different. Many people fantasize about it. Have you thought about how you would do it?
Driven
Quitting is not drawn by a desire to seek God’s will; it is driven by negative emotions.
Some people have felt so slighted and unappreciated in their job or in a relationship, they spend hours dreaming up various scenarios that will stick it to their employer, friend or significant other. It gives them a sense of power. They say, “I will show them. They’ll see how hard life will be when I’m gone.”
About Us
But quitting is basically all about us. We are hurt. We’re mad. We’re frustrated, because things aren’t going the way we think they should.
Eventually we reach a boiling point and come to our boss or our spouse or our pastor and say, “I can’t take it anymore. I quit!” We then turn on our heels and walk out. At this point, the music swells and in slow mo we pump our fist in the air and high five people on the way out. Yes! Yes! Yes!!
It feels good, really good, for about 5 minutes. Then reality hits. We just burned a bridge that may never get rebuilt. Quitting driven by negative, self-centered emotions destroys community, creates an atmosphere of bitterness and blaming, and undercuts character development.
Drawn
Followers of Christ are not driven by quitting but drawn by calling. Our focus is not on what we are leaving, but where we are heading.
Where is God calling you these days? The answer to that question will reveal whether it is time to stay or go.
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Roger Ross
A native of Cambridge, Illinois, Roger has served as a pastor in Texas, the British Channel Island of Guernsey, and Illinois. While in Illinois, he led teams that planted two new churches and served for 10 years as the lead pastor of one of the largest United Methodist Churches in the Midwest. It was his privilege to serve as the Director of Congregational Excellence in the Missouri Conference before coming into his current role with Spiritual Leadership, Inc (SLI).
Roger now comes alongside pastors, non-profit leaders and their leadership teams as an executive coach, specializing in leadership that inspires change. As a side gig, he loves teaching evangelism and church planting as an adjunct professor at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas.
Other passions of his include SCUBA diving in warm blue water, Krispy Kremes, and board games with family and friends. He also has a weakness for golf.
Roger is the author of three books, Meet The Goodpeople: Wesley’s 7 Ways to Share Faith, Come Back: Returning to the Life You Were Made For, and Come Back Participant Guide, all through Abingdon Press.
Now for the best part. Roger is married to Leanne Klein Ross, and they live Bloomington, Illinois. God has blessed them with two adult children, a son-in-law, several tropical fish, and one adorable granddog.
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