"90% of the people entering ministry DO NOT RETIRE from ministry, they either quit or have some sort of moral/ethical failure that disqualifies them"

My dh and I decided a long time ago that each of our children must learn a skilled trade, even if it isn’t something they intend to pursue as a vocation.

This is why calling is so important. Many of the OT prophets struggled. Why should we expect anything less? As a pastor, reading through 2 Corinthians is very helpful for me to remember that many times my strongest moments is when I’m weakest.

Also, maybe this calling idea is pressed too early on in children who do not yet understand the ramifications of life, much less leading a ministry. Christian colleges and seminaries are pumping out young men educated to do the work of the ministry but not yet fully mature enough to accomplish it long-term (that’s the key word of this sentence—long-term).

Matt

[handerson] the whole schtick of a conference for depressed pastors seems a little silly on reflection. People who are struggling with depression are usually not able to identify it in the moment and are less likely to go to a conference to deal with. In fact, they’ll probably be tempted to withdraw from any loud, noisy, social setting like say… um, a conference.

Besides the likelihood that they wouldn’t have the $129 for the conference fee + transportation, lodging, and meals costs. When doing research for my dissertation, I discovered that the majority of pastors are in churches smaller than 100, getting by on a less than adequate salary, and with few benefits. Many don’t even take their allotted vacation time for a real vacation. This segment of men in vocational ministry may be in greatest need of time away for a refreshing, encouraging, spiritually invigorating conference or retreat, but the least likely to feel free to do so.

[handerson] I guess it’s an age-old debate about whether certain individuals should be paid to devote themselves exclusively to “ministry” or not.

Just to clarify my position:

• I believe every Christian is “in the ministry” (Eph 4:12, “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry”)
  
• I believe that vocational pastors should be paid (when the church is able to pay them)
  

So what can be done to help? Pastors that have or are going through this, what can be done to help? I know the obvious answer is for the local congregation to encourage and be a blessing to their pastor, but they are most often the source of grief and discouragement. What is the solution? Can others (we) help? How?

[JT Hoekstra] This is how Perry Noble stays ‘healthy’ as a shepherd, he beats his sheep:

[url] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOBZldF6Y0M&feature=player_embedded

Yes, this is a small sample, but there are plenty more. The man is in charge, no doubt about it.

Everybody watch this video - then re-read the article. I think he was recording the video when he was going through the hard times described in the article. Because of this, I wonder if he would stand by his comments on the video today.