The Economy of Ministry

This was a new one to me. A recent article on Fox News, cited the poor economy, and rocky employment environment, for a recent increase in enrollment in religious education. Pause. When I read this article I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. It could be that we are experiencing a revival of sorts. The more cynical side of me sees this as a bad omen, a sign that the gospel and ministerial vocations, have been so cheapened that they are viewed as career plan B. "If I can't make it into med school, I can always be a minister." I witnessed this first hand back in college--the student who cannot decide on a major, or cannot cut the academic rigor of his first choice, becomes a religion major.

Then there is the other side, that sees ministry as a lucrative opportunity in hard economic times. People give to the church, even when times are hard. Remember the widow's mite. In some peoples mind I'm sure that this makes ministry an attractive profession. I have to agree that the "opportunities" for service are endless. What ever might be your take on the situation, it seems evident that as a culture, religious careers, have displaced vocations. Compare this article with the fact of declining vocations in the Roman Catholic Church, and you will begin to see my point. What's the difference? Why is one growing and the other declining? It's the difference between "vocation," and career choice. We don't have much room for vocation in our church culture anymore. It's the idea that a person might be chosen, rather than choose. This little difference changes everything. For the person who is called, who receives a vocation, is under obligation, under orders. There is a cost, a sacrifice to be made, obedience fulfilled. It is not a simple matter to "change majors" if things don't seem to be working out. It doesn't matter how well the job pays, or what is happening in the economy. In some cases we who are under orders, have to work a second job, to fulfill our vocation. That is not an appealing proposition to many. Finally the ministerial vocation is a life long vocation, similar to marriage in that it is not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly. But for those whom God has called it is a price we are more than willing to pay. The promises, the vows you make before God, witnessed by the congregation, and under the hand of your bishop are not a matter of convenience.

How many of these graduate students, pursing ministerial careers, would continue if they considered their vocation in this light?