An exploratory study on the factors influencing pastors' desertion of their ministry in Southern Highlands Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Tanzania

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the reasons which trigger pastors to leave the ministry. The study employed a case study design that purposively selected 15 exited pastors as respondents. In order to validate the views of exited pastors, all four ministerial directors in Southern Tanzania Union Mission (STUM) were also added into the study. The respondents gave their opinions through semi-structured interview sessions which were done in a face to face format. The data were audio-recorded, coded and thereafter subjected to content analysis. The findings revealed that all exited pastors still believe they were called by God and are still actively involved in church ministry regardless of being out of ministry. The second overall finding indicated that pastors exit ministry due to congregational conflicts manifesting themselves in church funds, women ministry,and false teachings. Moreover, it was clear from the study that pastors exit ministry due to administrative conflicts, this was perceived as an acute factor by respondents. The conflicts emerged in the areas of church funds, transfers and reconciliation approaches which appeared not to follow Matthew 18 ethic. The other factors included unproven allegations of sexual misdeeds and voluntary and involuntary terminations. In the end, the respondents provided insightful views in order to reduce the pastoral exit which included for the administration to be friendlier to workers and church members to have respect for their pastors.