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Open pastoral positions are at an all-time high right now, and there are many factors that seem to be a part of the reason why so many pulpits need to be filled:

Decline in seminary enrollment:
North America’s 280 Christian seminaries enrolled 78,000 students for fall 2022, about 600 fewer than last year. Declines were among evangelical (-3.2%) and mainline Protestant (-5.9%) schools.

Aging Pastors:
According to Lifeway Research, the average pastor today is 57, compared to 50 in 2000.

Burned Out Pastors:
Even the Wall Street Journal has taken notice of how what some have called, “The Great Resignation” many pastors are reporting that during Covid, they realized they were burned out and have stepped away from the ministry altogether., “The labor shortage within the clergy, which parallels shortages in other industries, is reshaping worship in some parts of the country as more congregations search for ways to operate without a pastor,” (reported Feb 2022).

Executive Director Richard Bargas speaks with Pastor Paul Deal about how IFCA can assist pastoral search committees and pastors looking for help in finding a new ministry. With over 70 years of experience, Richard and Paul talk about some of the most common questions that are asked by those engaged in a search:

• How can a church better prepare for its pastor’s retirement? When should they begin thinking about this?
• Does an outgoing pastor need to leave the church or can he stay in the church?
• What makes a church toxic and what are some signs of “pastor-killing churches?”
• What can a church do if its pastor needs to retire, but he doesn’t see it?
• What are some helpful resources that a pastor, church, or search committee can use to help them in their search?

IMI/SOS Interim Ministries - https://www.imisos.org/
Dan Nave and Southeast Church Extension - https://www.southeastchurches.org/
IFCA International - https://www.ifca.org/
Bob Jones University- https://churchstaffing.bju.edu

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