Churches unite to prevent clergy shortage

DURHAM, N.C. — In a demonstration of their commitment to develop young clergy, roughly 40 churches across the East Coast and Southwest have signed a covenant to coordinate their efforts and hopefully avert a clergy shortage. As founding members of the Shiloh Network, the diverse group of churches includes congregations of less than 100 people and congregations of thousands, urban churches and some that have existed for centuries.

The churches signed their agreement Feb. 22 at Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C. Curtis Freeman, director of Duke’s Baptist House of Studies, said the network will help curb clergy shortages and put vigor into congregational cultivation of pastors. Otherwise, he said, churches could be left with a short supply of leadership.

While seminary enrollment is up nationwide, only a third of seminary students intend to work in a church, according to a study by Auburn Theological Seminary in New York. Further complicating the problem, today’s seminary student is typically older than in years past and pursuing a second or third career, which means they will be in the clergy pool for less time.