Seminary enrollment trends are subject to the same economic and cultural trends as other professions. Law school admissions and those in Journalism schools reflect the same trends. You have a current supply excess (clergy) chasing too few demand (churches/opportunities). That may change over time, may not.

 The current crises in the profession of PCUSA clergy is not seminary related. It is that PCUSA clergy are one of the few, if only professions that post a graduate degree place no requirements on its members for either professional development or core professional competency. It is like assuming a doctor or dentist can graduate from medical school and never attend another training or continuing ed. program over 40 years and still maintain a license or professional standards.

 The end result is that after a time in ministry you have your professional class exhausted, burnt-out, in ill health emotionally, if not physically and spiritually. The BOP will tell you that out of every 100 ordinations when a person is in their 20's, only about 5-10% will ever qualify for retirement benefits. You have a profession/career patterns with 90-95% loss, attrition before retirement, you have a crises of leadership and death of a profession. The PCUSA may or may not be on a path to extinction. The profession of ordained clergy in the PCUSA surely is.

What does everyone think of this article?

Fairly compensating (all) human beings.

Not mentioned in this article are Presbyterian affiliated boarding schools such as Blair Academy, of which I happen to serve as a Trustee. Though Blair tends to be interfaith in student composition, primarily Roman Catholic and Protestant in its Christian witness, the school more than Presbyterian Church has expressed interest in retaining its church connection. Rather than disengage from Presbyterian boarding schools, colleges and universities, my hope is that the General Assembly will asked ho we might foster and cultivate stronger connections with these schools, many which provide extraordinary education and, at least in Blair's case, send their students onto schools of higher education. Hopefully, the General Assembly will recognize what jewel we have in these fine schools.

David Harvey

Well, I always wondered why my Alma Mater, Grove City College, was still in the fold. When I was attending, while the UPCUSA was closing churches over Overture L (yes, I landed with the Pilgrims) professors at GCC were teaching that women shouldn't be ordained. And since the freshman required theology course was built off the teachings of Francis Schaeffer, I thought it should align itself with the OPC.

Lori Ruff-Schmalenbe

Now if we only knew what the parameters were for our International Partners with Presbyterian World Mission...

Glen Hallead

The marriage curriculum I reference in this article by Leslie is The Marriage Course from Alpha. Rather than discussing the theology of marriage, it is a great opportunity for couples to work on their own marriages. Easy to run DVD with private couple discussions.

Kathy Sizer

RE: The Hawthorne effect demonstrated that any change in the organization of the work process would, at least temporarily, have a positive effect on productivity. Care to transformation and growth of the people on the new ministry teams might help to make

William Wilkinson

As I told my Session in February. One may have deeply held opinions and feelings one way or another on the matter of gay/lesbian relationships and the general impact on church and society. One may choose to express or voice those feelings in one means or another.

 One thing that should not be done is use Scouting in general or the kids in the program specifically as as either a proxy or a means to work out your personal theology or politics of the matter. That is short-sighted at best, plain stupid in general.

 My guess at the end of the day the vast, vast majority of churches that sponsor troops will continue to do so, and adjust accordingly. Those that cease their associations or revoke their charters for whatever reason, simply because of this change in policy really need to look at themselves in the mirror and ask just what they wish to accomplish in such a move.

Peter Gregory

Again, its a minimalist agenda for a minimalist church. Consider the following.

 -The Presbyerty of Alaska in essence has ceased to exist, some presbyteries not far behind them.
 -Taken alone the departing churches in 2012/13 total over 40K membership loss, once the dust settles on 2103 the church will likely report another 100-150K membership loss.
 -The turmoil over the medical plan will push many churches and clergy off the grid for denominational purposes.

 So the institution responds with what in essence is an academic exercise that will generate paper that will be filed in many cases. Much flowery and theological talk, but very short on earth shaking transformation that will ever have any real impact in the church.

 Whenever a denomination substitutes emotionalism, feeling and romanticism for solid reformed theology you get exactly what you plan for. Lots of emotion and feelings and not much else.

Peter Gregory

Nick,

I think this is a fantastic idea. Yes, there are places to serve and organizations with which to get involved around the Princeton area. But for me, the idea of an organization made up completely of seminarians is exciting. What's the harm in making it easy for people to find places to serve? Is there such a thing as too many service organizations? Moreover, having a group affiliated with the seminary will hopefully make it easier for incoming students to get connected with service groups. What's the harm in putting down Augustine, Calvin, and Barth, rolling up our sleeves, and practically embodying the gospel in a spirit of service? I'm excited for C.A.N. and what it will mean for the future of PTS and the Princeton Community as a whole. All in all, great words. I'm looking forward to getting involved next semester.

Ben Horseman

Nick is spot on! We need a culture of collaboration at our seminaries. There are so many awesome non-profits that students can partner with to do good work now, and to build skills for a ministry of collaboration with community partners in the future.

Thanks for the insights Nick! Keep doing what you're doing -- we need you to.

Rick Morris

Really? Orthodoxy means "right praise" and not "right belief"? Ms. Stricklen's comment is beyond sad and embarrassing. More like comical and inane. Perhaps a refresher course in Greek and a remedial course In Historical Theology is in order.

Jeff Francis

Orthodoxy means "right praise" rather than "right belief"? What a wonderful way to redefine a term and thus rob it of meaning. According to several dictionaries I checked, the etymology of the word is "1575–85; < Late Latin orthodoxus right in religion < Late Greek orthódoxos, equivalent to ortho- ortho- + dóx ( a ) belief, opinion + -os adj. suffix."

But I will agree with Ms Stricklen in this. Orthodoxy does indeed lead to right praise!

Jeff Wildrick

Never in human history have people lives in such close physical proximity to each other. We live in dense urban spaces, surrounded by technology that connects us to others 24/7 sharing information about ourselves 24/7.

 Having spent decades abord ships at sea, combat situations in the field, in very close proximity to the other people for upwards of a year at a time, psychic, emotional, spiritual, real isolation has nothing to do with physical or even social contact with other people. It is the loss of trust and confidence in your own environment. The estrangement from your roots, home, or place of security. Social media, Facebook, the net, whatever only exacerbates the breakdown. The Boston bombers seemingly had normal family lives, had kids, held jobs, when to school, came from cultures with deep social ties. Same could be said for the 9-11 Saudi core group. But there was a darkness, a dislocation, an isolation that took over. All on- line, all connected, always talking to others. But leading to paths of deep sorrow and eventually death for all concerned.

Peter Gregory

Of course folks want to talk same gender marriage. Any attempt by the PCUSA to paint a different picture of the purpose and intent of the study is disingenuous, and people see right through it. The church is on the same polity and process trajectory that it took with gay ordination post PUP, 2007-2011. That's clear to all as well.

 The discussion on the covenantal nature of marriage, the stresses of age, health, social change, sexuality. The intersection of the sacred and secular, church and state, the practice of marriage are of course important discussions to have. The role clergy and church play in that discussion are vital talks to have. But again, make no mistake of what is stated in the study and what is not. It is in the blank space, the void between content, that all the real content and meat of the issue resides.

Peter Gregory

Again, points to another irrelevancy of the church in the 21t century. Formal membership roles, that really have no other purpose than a resource base to tax for higher governing bodies.

 One of the greater acts of liberation in a small church in NJ was the dissolution of membership roles in favor of "friends and family of the church" lists. Some of the older folks did grouse a bit, sort of like their memberships in the Elks and Moose, but one either adapts or dies. Membership in the "club" can happen in other organizations. The church is not a club.

Peter Gregory

We are Household (Oikos) and some are guests (not just visiting but invited).

Bob Braxton

Chip: Thank you for this. Very good! Please share this with the moderator of the General Assembly. He apparently believes that the confessions do not and cannot limit the actions of the assembly in any way. "What the Book of Confessions does not do is

Dr. James C. Goodloe

To link this to the current debate on PCUSA clergy health care, PCUSA clergy suffer far more life-style related disorders, obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes than those other allied professional cohorts, relative to age and education. PCUSA clergy are also likely to suffer from chronic emotional/mood disorders when compared to other demographic profile groups. This is no accident. But reflects the imbalance of career/job expectations and the pathologies of many parishes where the clergy adopt the same behavioral tendencies to ill-health as the people they serve. The reasons are complex and related many times to the personality types in the profession.

 But the bottom line is that clergy need to take a break, take a walk, take a hike, do something mentally and physically that has nothing to do with "church". And seek meaningful relationships outside of parishioners. If that is play, then please we need more of it.

Peter Gregory