During their first meeting last March, participants agreed most denominations are experiencing a decline in quantity and quality of candidates for ministry because fewer people with traits of excellence are choosing to become ministers. This fall, the 10 leaders first identified barriers to choosing ministry. Other obstacles are closer to the surface, they said. Some questioned the effectiveness of today s theological education and the lack of information about and support for ministry among denominations, local parishes and seminaries. The denominational leaders acknowledged that some realities of ministerial life render it less appealing than other professions.
Potential pastors perceive theological education as time-consuming and expensive.
Ministry can be hard on family life, salaries tend to be lower, and lifestyles are scrutinized. With those issues before them, the group turned to ways to attract outstanding people to the vocation of ministry. Leaders stressed that congregations need to become faithful and healthy and, out of that vitality, intentionally invite gifted members to ministry and make leadership spaces for exceptional young people. Others urged that all ministry training should be endowed and that debts for theological education be paid by churches. Members strongly advocated the use of media to promote ministry, both in image and as a vocation.