Synod, presbytery leaders lament qualifications of pastoral candidates By John H. Adams The Layman Online Monday, September 18, 2000 Congregations seeking pastors are finding that the supply is low and that many of the candidates are poorly qualified, according to a letter by the leaders of the Mid-American Synod and six of its presbyteries. The letter, saying there is a "crisis in pastoral leadership," has been widely distributed to other middle governing bodies in the Presbyterian Church (USA), the General Assembly and PCUSA seminaries. "This crisis is not only a shortage of women and men to fill pastoral positions in congregations," the letter says. "It is also a decline in the quality of those whom the church is calling to the office of minister of the Word and Sacrament. We view this crisis with concern, if not alarm.…" Letter lists concerns The letter cites a number of concerns: An individualistic theology and sense of call which undermines the church's legitimate role in calling persons to church offices. The failure of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), especially its congregations and pastors, to call its "best and brightest" youth and young adults to the office of minister of the Word and Sacrament. The failure of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to call its most outstanding racial ethnic leaders to the office of minister of the Word and Sacrament. The temptation of sessions and committees on preparation for ministry to be "nice" instead of discerning in recommending persons for candidacy to the office of minister of the Word and Sacrament. The mounting indebtedness of those who enter seminaries and the even higher indebtedness of seminary graduates. The failure of some Presbyterian theological institutions to teach and/or require courses in Presbyterian polity. The high and … unacceptable failure rates on standard ordination exams, especially in Biblical exegesis (31 percent in February 1999 and 39 percent in September 1999), theological competence (40 percent and 31 percent in 1999) and church polity (36 percent and 38 percent in 1999). The lack of information available to presbyteries about standard ordination pass-fail rates for each Presbyterian theological institution. The temptation of presbyteries to circumvent ordination requirements through the use of "extraordinary" clauses and oral exams. Certain attitudes and behaviors of some recent seminary graduates which undermine or impede pastoral ministry: inability to analyze and understand congregations as systems, poor interpersonal skills, poor leadership skills, lack of maturity, failure to keep ethical norms and boundaries, and failure to take responsibility for self, including personal health. The unwillingness of some recent seminary graduates to serve small congregations. The lack of an ongoing dialogue between middle governing bodies and theological institutions about these concerns. PCUSA should 'raise standards' The letter opposes lowering standards to increase the supply of pastors. Instead, the PCUSA "should raise its standards and challenge its 'best and brightest' to heed a call to the office of minister of the Word and Sacrament." It makes a number of recommendations, including raising money to underwrite seminary education; high theological and admissions standards at seminaries; collaboration with middle governing bodies to establish expectations for ministers; required courses in Reformed theology and Presbyterian polity; annual publication of pass-fail rates by PCUSA seminaries; discouraging presbyteries from using alternative exams for seminary students or graduates who fail standard written exams; establishing a two-year "licentiate period" in which candidates are authorized to administer the sacraments but must take a final ordination exam on practical readiness for ministry near the end of the two years. The letter called on the PCUSA to apply its "energy, intelligence, imagination and love" toward resolving the crisis in pastoral leadership. Besides synod leaders, the signers represent the presbyteries of John Calvin, Northern Kansas, Heartland, Missouri Union, Southern Kansas and Giddings-Lovejoy. The full text of the letter is on The Presbyterian Outlook web site.

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