The year 2020 has been challenging for pastors in running congregations due to the general decline of organized religion in America. Barna Group, a research firm, found in a recent survey of Protestant pastors that 29% said they had given serious consideration to quitting being in full-time ministry within the last year. A recent follow-up survey showed that about a third of the respondents said they considered leaving the church. Brandon Cox, serving as a pastor, stated that the trifecta of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 election, and the racial reckoning in response to the death of George Floyd hit like a "wrecking ball." His church Grace Hills shut down in-person worship at the beginning of the pandemic, which prompted people to leave the congregation. More left when the church reopened and required masks. In some churches, members, especially families, left when services went online and just haven’t come back. Jeff Weddle, a pastor from Wisconsin, began a blog at FailingPastor.com, detailing some of his concerns about continuing in the church.
Roland. Toronto.
