Are more Preachers Leaving the Ministry???
 

I talked to A Pastors wife last weekend who told me they have several friends amongst their circle that just cannot take the stress of pastoring anymore and the effects its having on their families. she said that many are wondering if it's worth the risk.

in fact, she went on to tell me that some of her friends who pastor are going back to college to get secular degrees and getting out of pastoring all together.

I am thinking that is going to be a growing trend in the years to come



your thoughts

Are your friends out there in California?

I suspect that in certain places like Cali and even Louisiana and a few other places where Apostolics have reached a saturation point, it may be there are simply too many competing for too few resources. unless they are in places like North Dakota where there are very few Pentecostals, it could be very hard to compete.

I also think that there are some who are suffering the effects of being out of their calling. It takes a special calling to pastor - I know I do not speak from experience, in the regards - I have not pastored, but I have observed men of God who have pastored in difficult situations and have thrived, because that is what they were called to do. I have also observed men of God who pastored in situations and were not successful. In my opinion, I believe they were out of their calling. The pieces of the puzzle just did not fit correctly. There are many callings and gifts. Many people, when they feel the call, will try to pastor, because that is what is traditionally thought of as a result of a call. I would like to hear some who are more experienced than I speak to this.

what do you mean by reaching the saturation point ?

competing for few resources ?

i dont know what the stats are but i can tell you, there have been many people i know that have left the ministry and are working secular now, these are just people i know, i dont know many honest preachers that make any where near the money i make, but i am sure there are some, lol,dt:hypercoffee

Stress is a monster we all face. I too know some that are leaving the ministry. I am sure there is always the opportunity to do something else but sometimes we have to stop and start delegating authority to others and making special time for other things...I think some of the problem is balance...peer pressure...bigger and better...and dealing with people is not the easiest thing in the world.

that's true and the reason for this is, in the UPC if you are not pastor,you are considered "Less than". other callings are only a stepping stone to becoming a pastor. so, many take on a calling that is not what was intended for them.

I agree with you I think the "machine" has helped create this mistake that many make.

Interesting...

Rob or Fleece the Saints for a few years of college only to leave them when your done???

This is an example of how ministers feel like people "owe" them something...

All I can say is "AMEN" and I am outta here!!! :hypercoffee:hypercoffee


sits by and quietly watches this one!


seriously I have to go in a bit and get kids, I might chime in when I get back:driving