Seminary to Service: What Helps, Hinders

The idea goes something like this.

A small congregation, in need of a new pastor, looks at new seminary graduates -- a pastor seeking a first call would be just fine with them.

A student, eager to dive into ministry, is delighted with the idea too.

The congregation needs a pastor; the pastor needs a job.

A match is made.

Everybody's happy.

Except here's the problem: a lot of the time, it doesn't work like that at all.

People familiar with the system say there are multiple, serious problems with the path that students take during and after seminary -- problems that are often frustrating for students and churches alike.

Some students don't move into the inquirer and candidacy process quickly enough, or don't pass their ordination examinations, so when they graduate they're not ready to take a call to a church.

More than a few people go to seminary, but don't want to go into parish ministry, or don't want to serve the kinds of churches that have the most vacancies -- small congregations in rural areas or little towns.