Factors leading to clergy job search in two Protestant denominations

People often assume that clergy make job-related decisions based primarily oil spiritual criteria, such as a "calling." In this paper we challenge this sort of belief by examining clergy job search behavior from a sociology of work perspective. Using data from a 1996 national survey of parish clergy in two Protestant denominations, we build a job search model that identifies the factors that motivate ministers to search for positions with other congregations. The results indicate that push factors, like key job characteristics and community involvement, and human capital factors (skills and experience) affect ministers job search propensity. Pull factors, or the availability of positions at other churches, have no apparent effect on search propensity. In addition, calling appears to have little effect on a minister's decision to search,for positions with other congregations. We conclude that, contrary to stereotypical views of them as guided primarily by faith-based concerns, ministers consider many of the same factors as do other employees when deciding whether to search for new jobs.