Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

[Yahoo]

They come from a host of mainly Christian denominations, but one thing unites them: they are part of a shrinking number of theology students nationally who are interested in taking over a pulpit rather than doing something else with their degrees.

About 100 seminarians from over two dozen denominations, from Baptists and Roman Catholics to Unitarian Universalists, are attending a weeklong conference aimed at reversing a trend of young people shying away from the gaps in churches nationwide left by retiring Baby Boomer ministers.

The conference by the Atlanta-based Fund for Theological Education will also bring in 50 undergraduates from colleges nationwide who are thinking of attending seminary and then going into ministry as a profession.

“The image of being a church leader is very boring,” said 25-year-old conference attendee John Helmstadter, a student at Yale Divinity School. “It doesn’t seem like a vibrant sector. It excites me to be a part of the revival of the church.“

Many seminaries are seeing increased enrollment of students under 30, but a growing number of those graduates aren’t looking to lead a church.

A recent study by the Auburn Center for the Study of Theological Education in New York found that of graduates with a master of divinity — the traditional degree for church pastors — the number interested in congregational ministry fell from 65 percent in 2000 to 58 percent in 2006, the most recent data available.

Some seminary graduates prefer to use their religious education for secular or nonprofit work. Other students simply don’t want to work for denominations plagued by sex scandals, rifts over gay clergy, image problems and declining or stagnating membership.

“There’s 22- and 23-year-old students with a wonderful sense of idealism. They’re gonna change the world, and they haven’t been hammered on yet,” said Kurt Fredrickson with Fuller Theological Seminary, a nondenominational evangelical school in Pasadena, Calif. “But there’s also disillusionment with the institutional church.”

Student-loan debt is another big reason experts say seminary students pursue other professions.

Graduating with thousands of dollars in loans is daunting for someone about to enter a profession where the average salary for a new hire is often less than $30,000, Fredrickson said.

Read more here.

[From me]

I don’t know if I would want to “coax” anyone into vocational ministry. My home pastor told me if I could do anything else and be happy-do it!  He was right.  Vocational ministry is a calling.  We shouldn’t be out recruiting ministers.  That is God’s job.  If we recruit people then we won’t get people have have a passion about ministry - but a desire to get a paycheck.  You won’t get rich either unless you start a TV show! 

Coax no!  God calling –Yes!

What do you think?

We can hardly believe it has been six months since our life changed radically.  There has been a lot joy, pain, struggle and fun.  There have been victories and defeats.  If there is one word that describes our change it has been “GRACE.”  

However, we have felt more spiritual warfare the last 3 months than we ever have in a long time. We have experienced some semi-major health issues.  We have some more significant changes/decisions to make and we are dealing with rising costs just like the rest of you.  We did refinance our home to save some money.  In fact our house payment is our only debt that we have.  Praise God.  I’m leaving tomorrow to pick up a gas scooter from a friend to try to save even more money.

Our ministry has changed significantly.  I am doing about 5 different jobs at the church.  All of them are fulfilling but it is hard to juggle so many responsibilities.  We are seeing lives changed and it is exciting.  We are offering so much for a new church.  Of course, the economy is affecting the church too.  Our rent at the school goes up 70% beginning in July.  This will be a strain on our new fellowship.

We are grateful for those of you who have been praying for our ministry.  Most of you know we are raising much of our salary for this year.  We are humbled by those of you who have given sacrificially.  In fact, there are people I’ve never met supporting us financially and that is amazing and a testimony to God.  Here is where we need additional help.  With the rising costs of the church it is putting a strain on the church to make up the slack to pay us.  We have not quite gotten to the $3000 a month we need but the pastor has made sure we are being taken care of.  However, it may become difficult with the rising expenses of the church.  

I don’t feel comfortable asking but I will anyway because I know we are doing what God has asked us to do. If some of you would feel led to help us until December we know that God is going to take care of our needs. We stepped out in faith and we trust God will lay on the hearts those who can help.  All donations are tax deductible.  We would be grateful for any help you can give.  You can send your gift to: (write for the Busseys on your check.)

North Point Community Church

P.O. Box 680877

Charlotte, NC 28216

Again, we are grateful for your prayers and support.  Thanks for being a part of our lives.

[TC Palm]

In an effort to bring in more donations, longtime Martin County charity Jesus House of Hope decided to drop the word Jesus from its name.

Patrick Slattery, executive director of the 24-year-old nonprofit, said the change will help the organization fulfill what Jesus commanded in the Gospel of Matthew: Help the needy.

Slattery said many private foundations could not donate to the charity because it includes Jesus in the name, and people are often reluctant to give to what appears to be a house of worship if they already donate to their own church. So the organizations board of directors voted last month to finalize the change.

Were really not religious organization, Slattery said. Theres no church. There were never any ministers, never any priests. Its really kind of a misnomer.

 

Slattery said he feels Jesus would be OK with the decision.

He really doesnt care what we call it, he said. Its what we do.

Read about it here.

[From me]

What would you do?  If you could minister for Jesus without His name do you think Jesus would be OK with it?

What do you think?