Pastoral Turnover and History

While doing some research on pastoral turnover rates this morning, I came across some amazing statistics concerning pastoral turnover in the early American church.  Bottom line?  There was not any, or very little at least.  I found this historical nugget in the article "Pastoral Turnover and the Call to Preach," published in 2001 by the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society and authored by Paul V. Harrison.  "Taking a broader sweep that covers 'Yale College classes from 1702 through 1794, 550 graduates entered the Congregationalist ministry. Of these men, 392, or 71 percent, ministered for their entire career to only one church.... Only 21, or 4 percent, of the 550 served more than three pastorates.'"

What an amazing statement in light of churches today and how often churches have to call a new pastor!  For you adventurous types, here is a link to the entire article.  There are some other conclusions that tend to rock our evangelical world right now, but more on those at another time.

Would the modern evangelical church be better off if we held to this mentality, i.e. that once we have called a pastor, he is our pastor forever?  Of course it would!  We would learn Biblical patterns of repentance, reconciliation and restoration, rather than the current habit of finding either another church or another pastor if "this guy" doesn't suit us.  It would force us out of the "consumer mentality" that takes such a heavy toll on the church today.  Finally, it would encourage the growth of true Biblical community, something successfully sought today by church engaging in a "parish" mentality.

71%!  A number to ponder, isn't it?

Comments

[Marty Smith]

WOW! That is an amazing statistic, but not surprising I suppose when one considers the state and condition of the early American church (devotion to sound doctrine, church discipline, etc.) compared to today (humanism, pragmatism, seeker-friendly mentality, etc.)

I wonder what the statistic is on congregational turnover. How many evangelicals today have moved to different churches in their lifetimes within the same community? I am guilty. And I am not for sure it's always wrong. But Parish is our third in seven years. :( But LORD willing, it will be our last.