A Preacher Shortage? Part Four

Before any valid conclusions or recommendations can be made, some basic questions that must be answered.

• How many licensed United Pentecostal pastors are currently beyond the age of 65?
• How many will reach the age of 65 each year, for the next 10-15 years? • What are the demographics of this number, in terms of location (districts and/or missions) as well as in ministerial roles (pastors, evangelists, missionaries, district officials, etc.)?
• What are the demographics in terms of church size, and financial strength, particularly of churches with pastors retiring over the next decade?
• What is the percentage of pastors and churches that have a retirement plan in place that does not draw on the local church’s future revenue, beyond the retirement?
• What are the attrition numbers of ministers leaving the ranks for reasons other than retirement or death? What are the primary causes of attrition among apostolic ministers?
• What are the numbers of newly licensed ministers that join the ranks each year?
• Are statistics available from the endorsed Bible colleges and other training programs of those in active ministry after graduation?
• What is the current method(s) of placement for men desiring a role in ministry, to assure that we introduce appropriate candidates to the open positions in churches?
• What are the demographics of newly licensed ministers (location, age, area of calling)?
• What practices are common in recruitment and ministry development, which includes the way we license new ministers and the requirements we place (or do not place) on them?
• Is our rate of growth in attendance reflecting our rate of growth in licensing?
• Is our growth sufficient for long-term viability and success, both at home and overseas?
• Does clergy decline result from overall church decline, or does clergy decline cause overall church decline?
• Since new ministers emerge from the local church, what actions are local pastors, presbyters, and district superintendents doing to increase recruitment and training?

After these statistics are compiled and evaluated, it may be determined that no problem exists, or the issues of concern may be different than anticipated. Regardless of the outcome, recommendations should be developed as to how to guarantee there is an adequate supply of ministers in the future, and that we find ways for equitable distribution in shortage areas.

Consideration could be given to a placement and referral program at the national level. Finally, it is critically important that we not only have an ample number of ministers, but that they are consecrated, God called, adequately trained and in love with the Apostolic message of holiness and truth. After these statistics are compiled and evaluated, it may be determined that no problem exists, or the issues of concern may be different than anticipated.

Regardless of the outcome, recommendations should be developed as to how to guarantee there is an adequate supply of ministers in the future, and that we find ways for equitable distribution in shortage areas. Consideration could be given to a placement and referral program at the national level. Finally, it is critically important that we not only have an ample number of ministers, but that they are consecrated, God called, adequately trained and in love with the Apostolic message of holiness and truth.