The problem with pastoral ministry is that it often selects for men who are both not very good leaders and conflict averse.

What I mean is:

Start out with early-20-something men who have an interest in theological studies.

That already is a very narrow pool, and already the overwhelming majority of them would be described as “bookish” if we are being unbelievably charitable.

Next:

Load them down with tens of thousands of dollars of debt for skills and a degree that limit their career prospects to a singular vocation and almost literally nothing else.

You have built a man whose livelihood is EXTREMELY tenuous.

The consequence of this is he will ALWAYS take the path of least resistance.

Whatever squeaky wheels in your congregation, the Aymee-Burd-loving wine aunt, whomever he will SUBMIT to them.

It isn’t just that the economics of that demand it weak, passive men.

It is also a career TAILOR-MADE for people-pleasers.

IN SHORT: If you have a pastor who could quit tomorrow and make the same or better money doing something else—and he knows it—thank the Lord.