Canadian Mennonite
Volume 6, number 12
June 17, 2002
Faith&Life

Will there be pastors tomorrow?

There are not enough pastors to lead our churches. Is it because the vocation is not appealing to young people, or because we are not calling out people's pastoral gifts and encouraging them to train for ministry? These questions are explored in the articles below.


Come and tell me what God said to you," said Eli. "Tell me everything." So Samuel told Eli. Samuel cried because he could see the hurt look in his old friend's eyes.

"It's all right," said Eli when he saw Samuel crying. "Let God do whatever is the right thing."

Samuel talked with God a lot after that. As he grew older, people began to know that he was God's prophet. A prophet is someone who helps people understand how God wants them to live. People came from many places to talk to Samuel and hear what he would tell them about God (From The Family Story Bible by Ralph Milton).


Uncle Pete was a country preacher. As an ordained minister, he led his flock faithfully for over 20 years. As far as I know, he never got paid for it (though I think the congregation bought him a used car once). When congregational conflict resulted in his ejection, he simply carried on freelance preaching and ministering in other ways, knowing that one can't just stop responding to a calling.

I wonder what Uncle Pete would think of the Samuel Project-a two-part study that attempts to understand why there is a shortage of pastors in Mennonite Church Canada and USA.

Samuel I, completed in 1999, asked seminary and high school students, young adults, and Ministry Inquiry participants about obstacles and aids to their pursuit of a pastoral vocation. Samuel II in 2000 asked the same questions of pastors, persons preparing for ministry as a second career, and parents of high school students.

The results are as surprising as they are revealing. The study provides some concrete direction for the faith community that seeks to inspire the pastoral leadership vocation in its members.

Key findings of the Samuel Project

1. My Uncle Pete certainly felt called to ministry. But I wonder what encouragement he got from others along the way? Samuel II suggests there is a critical need for encouragement among those who feel called and gifted for ministry.

How are ministry gifts discerned in your congregation? How are these individuals encouraged? The study notes that "when a culture of encouragement is absent, gifted persons are less likely to find their way to the pastorate." It also notes a perception that denominational leaders are not urging the pastorate as a vocation.

2. Pastors and youth ministers carry a lot of weight when it comes to encouragement. A "tap on the shoulder" from a pastor is a compelling "instigating event" to consider if God is calling one into ministry. Should "shoulder-tapping" be left only to pastors?

3. Seeds of interest in ministry are frequently planted in youth, but may not blossom until mid-career. Can these seeds be brought to harvest more quickly?

4. Parents are passive about ministry when discussing career options with their children, and generally don't initiate dialogue on this option. Do our children perceive that other vocations are more valued?

Most parents said that an external source of encouragement, evidence of a calling, or a child's interest in ministry would receive their support. How different from my Uncle Pete's upbringing, when parents expected at least one of their children to enter pastoral ministry.

5. Young people believe that the expectations placed on pastors are high, and that significant sacrifices are required. While respondents agree that pastors appear content, well treated, and respected, the impact on family, personal time and compensation issues are all deterrents to considering pastoral ministry. How happy pastors are in their vocation is related to how willing they are to encourage others along this path.

6. Gender continues to be an issue. Significant barriers (real and perceived) of attitude prevent women from moving into the pastoral role.

7. While students don't have negative attitudes about being a pastor, it does not appear on their "vocational radar." They believe they would have to give up some benefits of other vocations. They also believe that "ministry" can happen in many ways and in various careers, hence no need to make the sacrifices required in pastoral ministry. Is pastoring on the "vocational radar" of high school counsellors?

8. Practical ministry experience, mentoring, and financial support are critical aspects of moving from consideration to commitment. Congregations can be instrumental by offering young people a variety of experiences in congregational life. Second-career pastoral candidates are able to draw from a deeper well of life experience.

9. The way a congregation takes care of its pastor sends messages well beyond the doors of the congregation. The impact of bad pastoral experience "pollutes the stream of future pastors." Conflicts at the congregational and denominational level were cited by some as a barrier to entering the pastorate. My own experience in a church with a history of dumping pastors certainly left an impression on my young mind.

10. Narrowing the gap between pastoral needs and pastoral candidates will depend to a significant degree on a "renewed culture of encouragement." Even pastors actively engaged in shoulder-tapping agree that young people are not encouraged to consider whether God is calling them to pastoral ministry.

11. Pastors effective in "shoulder-tapping" tend to be passionate about the call of God on their lives. Uncle Pete never questioned his calling and shared his sense of calling through the passion he displayed for his ministry.

12. Congregations must take leadership in developing future pastors. They must affirm the need and the importance of pastoral leadership, and work at a shared understanding of pastoral expectations.

What the study does not address is the role demographics play. Baby boomers are beginning to retire, leaving a smaller human pool from which to draw. Statistically, then, can we not expect fewer pastoral candidates, declines in church membership, and even more church closings?

And what does this study mean in a "priesthood of all believers" ethos? What does it mean for congregations who seek an administrative leader/facilitator rather than a pastor? How does lay leadership development fit into models of congregational leadership? How does lay leadership development apply to church council members and congregational chairs?

My uncle Pete died last fall at the age of 75. In his life, he raised five kids, milked cows, grew feed, butchered pigs, and carried out a vital and unpaid pastoral role in his community. He probably married, buried and baptized more people than I can count as acquaintances.

I wonder if he felt his ministry was not respected, or not adequately compensated. I wonder how he knew God was calling him to a life of ministry. I wonder how he encouraged young people to consider whether God was calling them.

-MC Canada release by Dan Dyck

 

Ten reasons why you should consider ministry

· You hate Mondays and pastors get Mondays off
· Flexible hours
· Get paid to study the Bible
· Get to proofread the bulletin before the congregation does
· Go to lots of weddings and funerals (with great food)
· Hear life-changing stories
· Join others in some of their most significant experiences in life
· See lives changed
· Experience the privilege of leading worship
· Meet people of all ages and walks of life

 

 

Hannah! Eli! Where are you?

And Hannah brought her child to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. She said, "For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted my petition. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord."

And Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. Samuel was lying down in the temple when the Lord called, "Samuel! Samuel!" And he said, "Here I am!" and ran to Eli. Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy (From I Samuel 1 and 3).

After hearing stories about pastoral ministry recently, I felt like young Samuel, except the "voice" that interrupted my slumber called not the child but his elders and encouragers: "Hannah! Eli! Where are you?"

And as I lay there, mulling over the urgent need for pastors in our churches, I remembered snatches of conversation I'd had with several colleagues earlier that day as we prepared this feature.

First, there was Karen Guenther's story (see page 10) about parental attitudes towards pastoral ministry which alarmed her as a mother of a teenager and a young adult who is a youth pastor.

Henry Paetkau, denominational minister for Mennonite Church Canada, said her story "powerfully underscores the findings of the Samuel Study" because it "illustrates the cultural shift that's taken place from previous generations when becoming a pastor was a prayer many mothers (and perhaps also some fathers!) had for their children."

Nowadays, lack of encouragement is "one of the most significant reasons for young people not hearing or considering a call to pastoral ministry," says Paetkau. The most frequent story he hears these days is of "a calling that was sensed earlier in life, but recognized and followed only much later."

So, what has changed? Is pastoring no longer a preferred career option? Is it lack of status? The demands of the office? Or could it be that "the word of the Lord is rare" in our day as it was in Samuel's, and that "visions are not widespread."

Perhaps, like Eli, our eyes are dimmed and we have to be summoned three times to help a child hear such a call. Or maybe we haven't been confronted with the need directly enough.

Surely, a people who respond so generously to the call for material and spiritual aid around the world will open the "wallets of their hearts" with gladness and gratitude to share their most precious gifts-their sons and daughters-when they hear that urgent call for pastoral leadership in the church.

So, make my day, Hannah and Eli! Read on these pages about the need and the promise of pastoral ministry in Mennonite Church Canada. Then do your part by praying, listening, shoulder-tapping and encouraging young (and older!) leaders around you. Together we can surely find enough people to fill the 39 pastoral openings while encouraging our children and grandchildren to consider pastoring as a blessed vocation for the future!

-Leona Dueck Penner

 

 

Pastor shortage presents new opportunities

One exciting thing right now (in the midst of a pastor shortage) is the growing interest in exploring ministry among undergraduates," said Henry Paetkau, denominational minister for Mennonite Church Canada.

"Introduction to ministry courses, along with other related courses, are popular and well attended in all the Canadian Mennonite colleges and universities. Clearly, young people are thinking about the meaning of ministry and leadership."

Whether this interest will result in more pastors depends on a number of factors, he said. One is a "key finding" in the Samuel Project study which noted "the importance of fostering a 'culture of encouragement' in families and congregations, instead of 'getting down on young people' for not choosing pastoral ministry or expecting Mennonite schools and institutions to somehow fill the gap."

"So, it's a time of opportunity and challenge," he continued, "when direct personal affirmation at home, and in the congregation (especially from the pastor), is needed for both men and women, but particularily for women since there are at least as many women in these courses as men, but few move into ministry beyond youth ministry."

When asked why this might be so, Paetkau noted that while there is openness to women in ministry at the youth level, there continues to be resistance to inviting women to pastoral leadership positions at the congregational level.

"This is discouraging," he said. "It may also mean that women are receiving even less encouragement from significant older people in their lives than men are."

Other findings in the Samuel Project indicate that though pastoral ministry is respected and valued, that is not enough to attract the young into ministry. While due partly to lack of encouragement, pastoral ministry is less attractive financially, has high demands in terms of time and emotional commitment, and requires frequent relocation.

These factors also contribute to a substantial attrition rate which is reflected in the current pastoral shortage. Also, educational expectations for pastoral ministry are growing (a Master of Divinity degree is usually expected of the leading minister). This may be difficult for pastoral families since study opportunities often demand relocation and don't offer much payback financially.

Not surprisingly, and somewhat ironically, people are currently attracted to an understanding of ministry that emphasizes serving God in all professions. This has led to a growing awareness of the need to develop lay leadership in the churches and the recent appointment of an MC Canada staff person to work in this area.

But it also means that pastoring is often a second or third career choice, once an individual is more established. Currently, the average age at seminary is 41.

All these things, said Paetkau, challenge the church to re-evaluate how a pastor is treated in terms of demands and expectations, as well as financial remuneration and support.

Two programs address some of the financial and study needs. One is the Ministry Inquiry Program, an effective summer internship program that allows college students to test their ministry gifts under supervision in a congregational setting. Over the last 10 years, out of 60 "inquirers," one quarter have moved into pastoral ministry and another quarter into church-related ministry programs.

A second program is The Company of 1000, a Study Reserve Fund which provides loans to students preparing for ministry, and to pastors on sabbatical. These funds are entirely from donors ($30-40,000 per year is currently being raised; more would be welcome!). These loans are forgiven when the recipient goes into ministry. Mennonite Church Canada supports 10 to 15 such students per year.

-Leona Dueck Penner

 

Pastor placements in MC Canada

Statistics for 2002
· 36 pastors placed in 32 congregations
-14 full-time, 1 half-time, 4 associate
-2 pairs co-pastors, 6 youth, 6 interim
-1 chaplain, 1 English ministries
· 1 person completed assignment
· 39 pastoral openings
-28 lead, 3 associate, 6 youth, 3 interim

Statistics for 2001
· 54 pastors placed in 47 congregations
· 30 completed assignment
· 38 openings

 


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