Since my boyhood living in a parsonage during the 1940’s, an economic tectonic shift has occurred that changes the costs of the traditional pastor model.
1. We have made theological training requirements extraordinarily more expensive with four year baccalaureate degrees a minimum for seminary entrance. Our former and better subsidized “system” provided high school and two year of collegiate work that arguably produced better basis for seminary success including mastery of the needed and mandatory Greek, Hebrew and possibly Latin. Admittedly there was a “parochial” limit, but theological preparedness was excellent.
2. The minimal total cost for providing for the pastoral office is typically $150,000 annually. Medical, housing cost, educational debt consume a disproportionately higher part of the salary package. Addition programmatic activity now considered the norm, further doubles the minimum congregation budget. Many congregants say they love their pastor but their other economic priorities reveal other values.
3. I observed that in my own SELC district it was not unusual for three generations to have pastor lineage. Today, virtually none! The incubation of pastoral skill frequently originated with a faithful father pastor.
4. Some years ago a book “Clergy Killers” exposed how undiagnosed untreated mental health issues destroyed a disproportionate number of ministries. Failure to prepare men for this reality produces sense of failure or a history of short pastorates in “problem” congregations. This probability did more than anything else to keep me from considering pastoral ministry.

We need to do some serious strategic thinking that involves the congregation. We pray that the Lord of Church opens our eyes and enlightens us so that we clearly see where he wants us to go.