I am now two weeks into my official retirement from my pastorate I held for 18 years, and am officially retired in my denomination. In the Roman Catholic Church the number of priests has declined from 59,000 in 1980 to 35,000 today despite the population and number of Catholics increasing in that same period. In my denomination there were four ordained pastors for every opening in 2010 (https://pres-outlook.org/2017/09/pastoral-pipeline-will-enough-ministers-serve-presbyterian-church/), but now in 2022, despite the membership declining, there is a pastor shortage. The Presbyterian (PCUSA) seminaries saw this coming and for the most part opened up their seminaries from being Presbyterian with a sprinkling of outsiders to being open to anyone who wants to come to keep their professors employed, buildings kept, and their endowments coming. I get a look agape often if I identify myself as a minister. It is almost like we are rarer than bigfoot.
Let's look at some reasons for this. 1) Theological malaise. There is little zeal these days to be a minister in an increasingly secular society. Despite all those Christians who try to celebrate the ending of Christendom, there is the danger of the ending of enthusiasm for the moral, helpful (to the poor/needy), and spiritual zeal the church once furnished. Once we began winking at behavior and choices, the zeal of the church to influence behavior and choices waned. The Ten Commandments became the Ten Suggestions. The belief that belief can make a difference in behavior slides, and thus, those who want to invest their lives in making a difference in behavior (like ministers), decrease.
2) Secular reasons- a) Money- in terms of real dollars, the amount a minister gets paid has decreased sharply over the last forty years. The rule of thumb of the past was that a minister should get paid the amount a principal in the town gets paid (with similar education credentials). b) Respect- In our graceless age, the Church has been under a microscope looking for sin- and Calvinists are not surprised that sin is found! But social media and others think they have the right to demand perfection in ministers- in grammar, in etiquette, in availability (on call 24/7), and service. Whereas ministers were often asked to be on community boards (chamber, school, etc), they are not asked as often these days- another sign of lack of respect. c) Hyper criticism. There has always been criticism. They locked up Peter and John and told them not to speak Jesus' name anymore. Diocletian (5th century)thought that if you could get rid of all the Bibles and clergy, you could get rid of the faith (he was unsuccessful). Today there are those who don't want ministers to pray publicly (do it anyway), or even exist- they are part of a sinful, patriarchal past. But the alternative of secularism has been tried before and failed sharply (guillotene of the French Revolution or the Gulags of the USSR or the millions who died in the cultural revolution of China). The best way foward is to go back to the One who made us and listen. 3) Many current ministers do not see their calling as important. If ministry is just a job, then you will work up to what you think you'll get paid. There are many more reasons.
Yesterday one of my grandchildren said they wanted to be doctor- but not a physician doctor. I asked if they wanted to be a teacher who held a doctorate (her mom is a teacher), or a preacher who held a doctorate (like me), but she said a "veterinarian." Thus, I am inspired to think, pray, and write this piece. While my children and grandchildren believe, none have chosen to go into ministry. It is, frankly, hard work for little pay. But as I often say, "The benefits are out of this world." Colossians 3:23,24 "Whatever you are called to do, work at it with all your heart, working for the Lord and not for your human bosses. Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." Perhaps a deeper question is, "Do you believe God blesses people who serve Him?" I believe it. I have experienced it. It is not always (and in fact rarely) financial or worldly. But in terms of meaning and passion, there is nothing like serving God in ministry. I think- even after 40 years- that it is the highest calling God can give someone in life. I say that knowing there is the priesthood of all believers, and every call is honored by God. But there is also the promise that those elders who serve the church well are worthy of double honor- especially those who preach and teach (1 Tim. 5:17).
So let me expound very briefly- lest I lose anyone. 1) In Christian ministry you get to concentrate on what will last. People today talk about their "legacy." In 100 years or even 300 years there is no such thing for the vast majority of us. Most kings, presidents, popes are forgotten by then. Even if we talk about people building on what we have done, that too will become miniscule and forgotten. We are but dust and to dust we shall return. But two things on this earth last, the Word of God and eternal souls. If you lead someone to Christ, that is an eternal work, that makes an eternal difference. If you give someone hope, encouragement, inspiration to love their family (the closest neighbor), then you are doing important stuff. Go to Rome and look at the ruins of that great civilization, or to other areas. The clay soldiers of China (Quinshihuang of 210 BC) were meant to last forever but many didn't make it. The pyramids were meant to be sealed tombs, but tomb raiders found their way into almost each one.
2) Beliefs do influence behavior. So the relatively new belief in climate change has solicited trillions of dollars from science and the government to turn things around. In America and the West we have forsaken our inheritance of faith. To me, what that means is that there is work to be done. The Harvest is still white- the Lord needs the best to do the best work. While there is theological malaise, that doesn't mean that there should be, and the way out is found by those willing to step in and not just hold the line- but lead the charge. 3) It is a privilege to be like Jesus. Paul said he considered all the worldly things he gave up- his educational, rabbinical, wealth and prestige as rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of serving Christ (Philippians 3:8). Jesus was criticized, mocked, despised, had no wealth, but more people know the name of this humble teacher from Galilee than any other name in the world. He is worshiped and followed in every country. There is so much more to life than being popular. The basketball star is popular until they lose their speed and defense. The movie star or musician/singer are popular but quickly can be replaced and forgotten. The most popular politician can dive bomb within four years. What is much more important than being popular or entertaining? It is being faithful and helpful- serving the God who made us. The word of the title are not honorific titles, but their origin is servitude- a bishop, a pastor- comes from being a lowly shepherd to a flock; a minister means a servant. Jesus said "now that I your Lord have washed your feet, so you should wash one anothers' feet (John 13:14). Humility and meekness are not valued much today. But the meekest man said, "The meek shall inherit the earth." In fact, when ministers are honored highly, often that is when corruption and pride creep in. A cross-less minister is not a good one. Alas, not many want to make that sacrifice even if it means blessing from God. But I would still say, there is no better or higher calling.
Lord of the harvest, raise up laborers for the harvest field. May your church learn to encourage people to go into the great work of serving you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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