The need for church workers continues to grow as current workers age and retire and college and seminary enrollments decline.  Pastor Mark Friedrich recently used his seminary class as an example. His graduating class numbered over 200 pastors who were sent out into the field.  Those pastors are now nearing retirement age.  Currently, the St. Louis seminary is graduating fewer than 100 new pastors.  How will the Church make up the difference?

Lutheran churches are declining in membership.  Some are closing their doors.  The same is true of Lutheran schools.  Many declining churches are reaching out for cooperation and support from neighboring congregations. Ir is happening in Arizona as MVLC and Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church have partnered in ministry.

Full time church work careers are not attracting young people as they once did.  Other careers offer greater pay and require less training.  

At the same time, fewer and fewer people are attending church, sending their children to Lutheran schools and placing a high value on their spiritual lives and their involvement in a local church.