By Cynthia Woolever
Two out of three Protestant senior or solo pastors worked full-time in some other occupation before entering the ministry. Working elsewhere before serving in a local church is far less common among Catholic priests (only 30% had a previous occupation).
What did they do before becoming parish pastors? Most were engaged in some type of professional employment—teachers and professors, managers and administrators, lawyers, judges, or legislators (66%). However, one in five worked in some clerical, factory, or craftsman-related job. The median number of years pastors worked int heir first job was 8 years.
Once in parish ministry, did they stay? Not all pastors did. One in four said they left parish ministry for a time to work elsewhere. Half of those who left ministry for a time took a secular job. The other half worked in a non-parish ministry (such as chaplain or specialized work for their denomination at a regional or national level).
Again, Catholic priests follow a slightly different work pattern than Protestant clergy. Slightly fewer Catholic priests (one in five) left parish ministry for a time. Of these, only 1% left the parish to work ina secular position. Keep in mind that these statistics are for pastors who are currently serving in a local parish and do not include pastors who left parish ministry and never returned!
The average parish pastor has served more than two decades in ministry (median is 23 years). The majority have invested heavily in their preparation for ministry as well. Four out of five parish pastors hold an advanced theological degree (such as Bachelor or Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Theology, Master of Sacred Theology, or other master's degree; Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Theology, or Doctor of Philosophy). Among Catholic priests and mainline Protestant pastors, more than 90% hold such theological degrees.
The percentage is much lower among conservative Protestant pastors—about 54% have advanced theological degrees. Their preparation for ministry sometimes involves "on the job" training in the church where they eventually become the pastor. This was true for one in five conservative Protestant pastors in the study.
The rising number of second-career pastors arises from several trends. First, mainline denominations are attracting more women into ordained ministry. Often women delay theological education and entrance into ministry until after child-rearing and family responsibilities lessen. Second, an increase in life expectancy enables many people to consider major mid-career changes. Third, low salaries and the high demands of parish ministry discourage some individuals from entering ministry in their twenties or early thirties. Individuals, who retire early from a first career or who enjoy a spouse's financial support, may find it easier than those without such financial benefits to serve in parish ministry.
Whether first-career or second-career, effective pastors use their ministry preparation, prior work and life experience, and sense of call to serve their congregations. Their joy in ministry is captured in the words of Lillian Daniel, a United Church of Christ pastor: "I do love being a minister. I love the agility it calls forth in me and the chaos that only Jesus could organize into a calling.”[i]
[i] “Minute Fifty Four,” Lillian Daniel, What is Good Ministry? Resources to Launch a Discussion, Report from Pulpit & Pew and the Fund for Theological Education (www.pulpitandpew.duke.edu).
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