Minister Shortage in the PC(USA): Myth or Reality?

Here the picture becomes more complicated. During the same 22 years of decreasing membership, the total number of clergy increased by 1,061. Of the 21,194 ordained ministers of the Word and Sacrament in 2002, 7,349 are retired and 13,845 are active. At first glimpse it would appear that this is more than sufficient to meet the needs of 11,000 congregations, but not all active clergy are pastors of congregations. The numbers divide into three categories: 9,000 serving congregations, 2,300 serving other church institutions and 2,500 listed as “other.” The first two categories are slowly decreasing and the last is gradually increasing, which means that more ministers are serving in non-parish settings.

Furthermore of the 11,000 congregations almost 5,000 are identified as very small congregations having 100 or fewer members. Approximately 3,000 of these congregations are without clergy leadership. If your church is located in an isolated rural or inner city setting, is identified as a very small congregation, and is offering a minimum compensation package, there is a serious pastor shortage.

Fewer and fewer ministers desire or are able to accept a first call salary: $28,676 plus benefits (2002 average for first call). The total compensation would be generally in the neighborhood of $48,000. For most of the very small membership congregations this is 70 percent to 90 percent of their annual budget. Yet for the pastor receiving this salary, he or she must budget carefully to make ends meet. Compensation is a critical factor as people are being challenged to consider ministry as a life vocation. They need to know that many pastors live on an entry level salary for their entire active ministry. Few people are equipped to face this reality.

Church vacancies are a factor in this equation as well. There are few vacancies at any given time in large membership churches. There is no pastor shortage for congregations of 200-plus members located in attractive areas, and which offer more than minimal salaries. The majority of vacancies exist with congregations having 100 members and less. According to the Church Leadership Connection (CLC) office of the PC(USA) there now are slightly more clergy seeking new calls than positions available. The Aug. 15 CLC “Applicants and Positions Report” lists 1,408 clergy and lay professionals seeking relocation and 1,052 available positions in the system. These numbers fluctuate, but are an indicator of the present reality. Additionally, one-third of those seeking a call have limited themselves to service in one or two states due to a variety of factors including spouse employment, medical needs, elderly parent responsibility, children’s educational needs or personal preference.

Other components that fuel the fire of believing there is a clergy shortage are: the rate of retirement; since 1984 this has remained somewhat stable at approximately 360 per year. The annual number of ordinations has remained somewhat stable for the past 10 years between 330-400.As for the age at ordination, this figure has increased to an average of 42 years of age in 2002. Older ordinands use the human and financial resources of our theological institutions and denominational entities, but have fewer years to make use of their training. Clergy entering the medical/pension plan have fewer years to contribute to the system. They may, also, be heavier users of the medical plan than the younger members. These issues bear serious discussion for the whole denomination.

Although there is an emphasis on attracting more young people to ministry, this is not a simple solution because it is now common for young people to make several career changes in a lifetime. Younger people are less interested in parish ministry.

Is there a clergy shortage? NO — We have a more than sufficient number of clergy to fill current positions available.

Is there a pastor shortage? YES — The majority of clergy being trained feel called to serve mid- to large-size congregations.