Reasons Young Pastors Leave the Ministry
Interesting read at nakedreligion blog, Why Young Pastors Leave the Ministry. Some of the reasons are listed with irony intended. I'm not sure how we as a fellowship are doing with young pastors and their ministry involvement. The following is a comment that I left on the site (the comment below will make more sense if you read the blog listed above):
Interesting discussion! I was a young pastor....once. Some short responses. From the Pastor's Perspective: The CALL is absolutely critical, (not particularly something mystical, but knowing that God has called an individual for pastoral ministry, and that is where he belongs) which can come in a number of different ways. ATTITUDE is critical. Sometimes working with sheep that belong to the Shepherd we may get kicked and bitten. Sometimes it is our fault for rough handling, other times it may be because of issues that they are facing. I have had to shovel snow, clean toilets, blow leaves off the parking lot, etc., and found myself developing a bad attitude about it. Then had to confess before the Lord that I was doing it for Him (that doesn't mean that I shouldn't be training other people to do it). Sometimes it is our inexperience that creates the issues (Robert MacMillian has a great blog entry: The Great Danger of the Seminary Student ) and our inability or unwillingness to seek council from experienced pastors. UNDERSTANDING OF THE MINISTRY is critical. Look at the life of Jesus and see what He experienced; not great riches, followers left Him, betrayed by a close associate, etc. If the Chief Shepherd experienced this, why do we think we won't or shouldn't (that doesn't mean I like it). Someone has said, "I don't mind being called a servant, I just don't like being treated as one."
From the Church's Perspective: Unfortunately some don't understand what it will take to do ministry. They are stuck in what worked 30 years ago. They said they wanted to reach younger people and families, but don't understand what that change will involve. They want to reach today's generation with yesterday's methods. Some wouldn't want to make the changes, though voiced that they do, others just don't understand the cost. Some churches have the mentality, "Lord you keep him (the pastor) humble and we will keep him poor." And then, there are good churches that want to reach their world for Christ and are willing to make the changes if we as pastors have the wisdom to lead them through the transitions of ministry!
This thing to which we have committed ourselves better be for real, or we, like Paul, "are of most men most miserable!"
If you have comments, please leave them below!
posted by Dan Pritchett @ 7:54 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Good post, Dan.
We find that the trend amoung young pastors is to NOT seek traditional church ministries. Perhaps their impatience with the hard parts of traditional ministry cause some to stay away and those that find "pastorates" leave quickly.
The issue of "call" is a big one. Many feel the "call" for "authentic" (whatever that means) ministry but not to a vocational pastorate.
In the "old days" there where only a few ways of doing "church" so young men had a safe track to follow. Now there are so many options. My Dad used to call this the "misery of choice."
I'm not sure what the solution is except that we (the older pastors) need to do a better job of mentoring. There is a trend away from seminary based training to church based training (with seminary support). This may be a good thing.
Tom
Dan; I thought both the original article and your response is great. Being older ,but a 'young'pastor, i figured I would mow the lawn, shovel the snow, keep the church cold in summer and warm in winter. For me, that is just the running of the mill. My problem is not the sheep. but the other shepherds. Trying to find a mentor, that is not quite as easy as one might think. We need some real help in these pulpits or our fellowship is looking at some problems in the near future
lynn
Lynn,
When I started out in the pastorate 24 years ago, my first assignment was a church that was troubled (previous 4 pastors averaged 2 years each). We hit some of the same things 2 years into it, and stayed another 2 years. I'm sure some of it was my mistakes, and some were inherent in the church. We needed to be there to learn some things never taught in seminary - so I'm sure that was part of God's school of preparation. However, I knew that I didn't know and needed help! I did try to find a pastor in the area to help me - I was even willing to drive some distance but still didn't find someone who was willing to really help mentor me. Maybe I didn't ask boldly enough, maybe they were just too busy with their own challenges. I believe that the mentoring of men new to ministry is critical! Hope you can find somone - maybe ask boldly!
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