Is There Ever a Time Quit?
It was a confession, really.
A long-time pastor friend said in an email: “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.”
Sadly, I know a lot of pastors who dream of walking away from ministry.
In fact, recent studies found an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 pastors quit each year. It’s an alarming trend causing a massive shortage of pastors, but they are not alone. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of job quits in December 2025 alone was 3.2 million.
Just Quit
Recently, I wrote a candid piece saying, “Maybe I Should Just Quit.” It brought a strong response. Apparently, a lot of people entertain this thought. 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?
The short answer is 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.
Drawn
A calling typically comes from beyond us. It’s often discovered through prayer and searching the Scriptures. Of course, it also 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’s both exciting and energizing. As we check out our call with spiritually discerning friends, it actually builds community and inspires faith in others who witness our process.
Driven
Quitting is completely different. Some people spend months fantasizing about it. Have you thought about how you would do it?
Quitting is not drawn by a desire to seek God’s will; it is driven by negative emotions.
Some people have felt so slighted in their job or underappreciated in a relationship, they spend hours dreaming up various scenarios that will stick it to their employer, friend or significant other. It gives us a sense of power when we feel misunderstood or disrespected. “I’ll show them,” we say under our breath. “They’ll see how hard life will be when I’m gone.”
About Us
But quitting is really 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 the scene turns to slow mo as 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.
Calling
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.
You may be in a very tough place to work, but if God has called you to it, God will also supply what you need to sustain you and make your situation better.
On the other hand, you may have a good place to work. You just feel no passion for it. At one point, I deeply struggled with whether to stay or go in a position I had. As I wrestled with what to do, a close friend said,
“Sounds like you have a really good job. It’s just not the job for you.”
She nailed it. A few months later, I left for a job God had designed just for me.
Where is God calling you these days? The answer to that question will reveal whether it is time to stay or go.
New Release!
Kinda Christian: From Curious to Serious About Jesus, United Methodist Edition, released January 27, 2026. Same content as the original version with additional reflections from six United Methodist Bishops on the six marks of a deeply devoted disciple.
Order on Amazon, Walmart, or Barnes & Noble or go to Invite Ministries here.