Statistics compiled last fall by the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities show a significant increase in enrollment at religious colleges. From 1990 to 2004, independent religious schools (the government classifies about 900 of them) saw a 27.5 percent increase in enrollment. That was comparable to the increase at private colleges (28 percent).
However, the case for a noteworthy draw to religious education is strengthened by the increase in enrollment at the 102 CCCU affiliated schools (the smallest segment of higher education institutions). During the same period, this rate rose by a whopping 70.6 percent. Public colleges saw the smallest increase (12.8 percent).
Yet, if more kids than ever are interested in religious education, they aren’t showing it in their vocational choices. The Lewis Center for Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary, released a recent study showing a significant, 20-year decline across mainline denominations—both Protestant and Catholic—in numbers of clergy under age 35.
Other reports indicate declining interest among seminary students in answering the call to ministry. Today, only about half of seminary students plan to be ordained and serve a local congregation, according to a press release from The Fund for Theological Education (FTE).
Pastors will gather near Chicago later this week to discuss solutions for finding the next generation of church leaders. FTE, an ecumenical organization, is working to boost the number of capable young candidates for ministry by offering congregations tools for encouraging new leaders for the ministry. FTE provides more than $1.2 million annually in fellowships for young people from all denominations.
Congregational representatives are meeting Sept. 28-30 in Evanston, Ill., for in-depth exploration of how congregations can help raise up the next generation of leaders for the church.
"More than ever, we need talented young people to consider using their gifts to lead churches," says Melissa Wiginton, vice president of FTE ministry programs and planning. "We’re offering strategies for congregations to encourage their youth to examine ministry as a calling."
I wish I could go, since I’m really curious about these strategies. If anyone in blog land attends, can you report back? Thanks.
