Is it Deconversion? Former Clergy Who Identify as Spiritual but not Religious

When former clergy -- once fully committed but now hesitant to serve or even attend church -- now self-identify as “spiritual but not religious,” does this qualify as an actual deconversion or just ydisillusionment? I have interviewed and done a qualitative analysis of thirty clergy, mostly Mainline Protestant, who have had difficult experiences and have left the ministry. I examine their backgrounds, church experience, and what work they are doing now. I pay special attention to their beliefs since Protestantism emphasizes the cognitive aspect of faith. Such an analysis shows that many former clergy interviewees have migrated over to beliefs very similar to the many non-religious SBNRs I previously interviewed and wrote about. The decline in Mainline Protestantism is clear but it is especially noteworthy when the most dedicated are leaving, changing their beliefs and self-identifying as SBNR.