Reformátusok Lapja, 1969 (69. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1969-03-01 / 3. szám
12 REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA It should be noted that a great number of retired ministers actively and regularly serve congregations as Supply Pastors or Interim Pastors, and some continue in a full-time position. As for the persons who have “withdrawn” from the ministry, the recent “Consultation of Ministers in Non-Ecclesiastical Employment” indicated that the majority of them still continue to supply pulpits and maintain their ministerial standing. There is reliable data, however, to indicate a shortage of ministers who serve as parish pastors. The UCC Year Books show the following: Year Total Ministers Pastors Others 1964 8,955 5,510 3,445 1965 9,975 5,557 3,518 1966 9,129 5,571 3,558 1967 9,350 5,482 3,868 While there was an increase of 221 in the total category of ministers in 1967, there was a decrease of 89 among those who serve as parish pastors. The total increase of ministers is accounted for by an increase of 310 going into other forms of ministries. These figures clearly point to a move away from the parish ministry and to an increasing shortage of pastors. A closer look at these other forms of ministries shows the following: Classifications 1966 1967 Net Pastors 5,571 5,482 —89 Pastor Emeritus 350 348 — 2 Retired 1,131 1,211 +80 Denominational Worker 344 351 + 7 Ecumenical 87 96 + 9 Mission, Chaplain, Campus 389 441 +52 Education 570 653 +83 Other Religious Work 86 124 +38 Business & Other Profession 362 355 — 7 9,129 9,350 One solution to the problem of vacant pulpits would be to re-direct the flow of ministers from other ministries into parish fields. This would be a possibility if all those ministers engaged in “other” ministries could be convinced of a prior claim on their services. However, some of the denomination’s most needed and creative ministers are in other than parish fields. To deter persons who feel called to these ministries would not generally be in the best interest of the denomination. There is, however, a significantly large number of ministers in two categories, 355 in “Unclassified” and 289 in “Business & Other Professions,” who may be drawn back to the parish ministry. To recruit candidates for the ministry on the basis of a “shortage of ministers” may do an injustice to those recruited, if in fact ordained ministers are more and more entering “other” ministries. Alongside the data showing the shrinking number of pastors in parish ministries, there is evidence of a decreasing number of congregations in the UCC: 1963 — 6892 Congregations 1964 — 6936 1965 — 6957 1966 — 6952 1967 — 6945 1968 — 6908 The marked decrease of congregations in 1968 is accounted for as follows: GAIN: 17 New Churches 16 From CC to UCC 33 LOSS: 47 Churches dropped 3 From UCC to CC 20 United with other UCC churches 70 Total of Loss —33 Total of Gain 37 NET LOSS FOR YEAR The solution to the problem of vacant pulpits is not to be found by reducing the number of congregations. The denomination will need to support ways for securing ministers to serve as pastors for congregations on a part-time basis. The increasing number of Lay Ministers and Lay Preachers may be a partial solution. The development of “worker-priests” who earn their support outside the church while serving as pastors to congregations is still another possibility. Furthermore, the process followed by an increasing number of congregations seeking a new pastor indicates that the expectations of these congregations are becoming more selective. There are some congregations that turn down as many as 50 applicants before finding the “right” person for their congregation. Thus, the United Church of Christ must concern itself with recruiting the ablest candidates for the ministry, providing adequate training and education for them, and making it possible for programs of on-going in-service education and training in order for them to become increasingly competent Servants of the Lord faithful to their calling. D. P. S. George Nishimoto Council for Church and Ministry
