A Lifeway Research study found that just 1.1% of Protestant pastors leave pastoral ministry each year prior to retirement age. Pastors who put their families first and integrate them into ministry are significantly more likely to remain in leadership. By contrast, resentment within the family proved damaging: 41% of former pastors said their families resented ministry demands, compared with only 16% of current pastors. Over two thirds (68%) of current pastors reported that their church was presented to them honestly during the hiring process, compared with just 49% of former pastors. Nearly 70% of former pastors reported feeling isolated, compared with just a third of current pastors.