The Indianapolis journal., 1902-10-26
A RESTLESS MINISTRY.
Profession Moved by a Desire for
Change.

New York Evening Post.
A Boston writer, commenting on the fire.
quent changes in the pastorates Of churches
OF all denominations, applies the term
restless to the entire clerical profession.
To prove his thesis the writer speaks OF
one of the smaller cities in Massachusetts,
where not less than thirteen churches have
parted with their pastors within a year.
Figures taken from a current issue of the
Congregationalist sustain the writer in the
use Of the epithet. On the list for one week
appear the names of seven Congregational
clergymen who have relinquished pastor
ates after tenure of not exceeding two
years. Out of the seventeen designations
recorded nine appear TO have been ten
dered by men who had no other field OF
service Immediately in view. This repre-
sents the ebb and flow of only one week in
one denomination. and that denomination
not the most widely distributed over the
country. 1t used TO be thought that when
Methodist ministers were required to itin-
crate once in three years the rule OF the
church requiring such a course worked
hardship TO the men concerned and
operated against the stability and efficiency
of the churches. AS a result of long con-
sideration the Methodists finally abolished
the time limit, and now IL is possible for
Methodist churches to keep their ministers
as long as they desire. But apparently the
tendency to short pastorates has been
growing meanwhile in other denominati tons
Indeed, a pastorate Of more than eight or
ten years is now decided rarity. though
there are notable exceptions TO this rule
Search for the cause OF this restlessness
must. of course. lead for the most part
into the realm OF speculation. The relations
between the churches and their pastors are
largely personal. and personal causes op-
crate in very many cases. A large number
cial opportunities offered. Clergyman are
quite human, and they are not TO be
blamed for seeking the places where their
human needs are likely TO be best supplied
Increased salary frequently makes more
effective work possible. and in this point
Of view adds spiritual sanction TO call
which is also attractive otherwise A poor
ly-paid clergyman in country town once
received call 10 a neigboring city where
the pay was much better. His small son
was interviewed by an inquistive neigh
Dor. Has your father decided 10 accept
the call to X-?' the little boy was asked.
Father is still praying for light" was the
reply, but mother is taking up the car
pets" Some OF the changes. however. are
due TO the restlessness. not OK the clergy
man, but of his congregation The Boston
writer seems TO believe that fckle conGre-
cations are on the increase. and he con-
trasts the uncertainty OF the employment
of the pastor with the permanent positions
offered by the Young Mems Christian As
sociatt0n and other religious organizations
TO their secretaries and other officers. 1T
Is not TO be wondered at. he says. that
the student volunteer movement and the
secretaryships of Young Mems Christian
Associations and positions In foreign mis-
sionary fields are attracting some OF the
ablest graduates OF our colleges. who. urs'
der former conditions. would have gone
into the ministry. In these other spheres
of labor they cannot only carry out their
ambitions for usefulness, but they VIII %
competing with their brethren. they are
likely TO be promoted according TO merit
and they may look forward 20 q tenure OF
service covering practically their whoie
working years and largely In one neld.
rather than "a. frequent changes or they
base Of operations. and TO being ehelvo4
whsn thes pass fhs dead rns Il aft9<s