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For the first time, this study systematically analyses the whereabouts and departures of pastors in German and Swiss Free Churches and ‘Gemeinschaftsverbänden‘.1 In the years 2003–2023, 75.6% of the new ministers remained in the pastoral ministry long-term, 22.1% left early, mainly due to a change of profession or family work. The annual exit rate is 3.4%. In large associations as well as in traditional churches, the retention rate is significantly higher. A comparison with the number of graduates from ‘free’ training institutions indicates that there are currently 1.8 pastoral vacancies per graduate, which means that there is a significant structural shortfall. While the data collected refute the frequently postulated idea of a ‘mass exit’ from pastoral ministry, it nevertheless implies the need to ask more specific questions about the causes of, and possible strategies against, early departure from ministry.
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