Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 21
April 23, 1970
NUMBER 50, PAGE 4-5a

Preachers Who Become "Drop-Outs"

Editorial

Probably most of us are aware of the growing number of Catholic priests who are bailing out of their profession (and most of them out of the Catholic Church) with every passing week. There have been about 2,500 American priests leaving the priesthood each year (about 4 percent of the total number) for the past two years. Recent statistical studies suggest that the Protestant denominations are feeling the same attrition among their clergymen, although at a somewhat slower pace — some 3,000 men per year, or about 1 percent of the total number, turning to secular and non-ministerial pursuits. Many reasons are given by these men for their change of heart and of life patterns; among the Catholics the celibacy rule is the most often cited. An exhaustive study by Dr. Gerald J. Jud of the United Church of Christ denomination indicates that many Protestant clergymen have rebelled "against 12th century theology, against having to be 'piously religious' to please members of their congregations, and against being grossly underpaid." One ex-pastor observed, "As long as we are available for 'two bits' laymen will regard us with subconscious contempt."

Gospel Preachers

While these Catholic and Protestant drop-outs are of interest to us, they are not of major concern. But the number of gospel preachers "forsaking the word of God" is a cause of genuine concern, if not alarm. We have no way of knowing either percentage wise or in actual numbers how many there are, of course. But even with a limited acquaintance, we could probably come up with a hundred or more names of men we know who were once giving full time to the proclamation of the word, but who are now "part-time" preachers.

Let no one misunderstand us on this. We are all in favor of "part-time" preachers. We would like to see their number increase and multiply without limit. But we could glory in such an increase only if it represented the development of thousands of humble Christian men, making their livelihood in some honest pursuit, and then making the proclamation of the gospel their one highest aim and ambition in life. They will be men who give only enough time and effort and thought to the secular job to provide for themselves and their dependents, so that the real thrust of their lives can be gospel preaching. This was the pattern set by the apostle Paul. He made tents to provide for himself and those with him. He told the Ephesian elders, "I coveted no man's silver, gold, or apparel. Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me." (Acts 20:33, 34)

As long as the apostle could receive enough support to meet the "necessities" of which he spoke, we cannot conceive any circumstance under which he would think it necessary to make tents. Can you picture this "bond servant of Christ" turning to such a venture because he felt he was being "grossly underpaid" for his apostolic ministry? Do you think of him as calculating a salary scale by the evaluation of his rabbinical training, his years of experience, and his great ability as an organizer and administrator? When he heard that "Macedonian call" in the dark hours of the night do you think he even gave an idle, passing thought as to whether he would be either handsomely rewarded or "grossly underpaid" for his work in Macedonia? Such considerations seem utterly incongruous with the picture most of us have of the man from Tarsus.

We feel a deep sympathy for the man with a growing family and all the problems and burdens thrust upon him because of an inadequate support. While most members with the same years of training and preparation he has had will be receiving two or three times as much income as he, this man must carefully watch every penny he spends. His sons and daughters may have to work their own way through college with little or no help from home; his aged parents may be in real distress because of his inability to send money to them. His children may have to go through life with crooked malformed teeth because he could not afford the high charges of the orthodontist. This is a part of the price he pays as a preacher of the gospel! We do not at the moment think of a single "drop-out" of our acquaintance who would not gladly have endured almost any hardship and deprivation if he alone were getting the short end of the stick. But it is almost unendurable for a man to see those he loves having to suffer because of his own commitment. He begins to ask himself whether he has the right to deny his wife and children the basic necessities of life just so he can continue to give full time to the ministry of the word.

The answer, of course, is simple: Let the churches upgrade their support of gospel preaching, and let the preachers be more fully dedicated in their own lives and hearts. If a faithful preacher of God's word is totally committed to his calling, his wife and children (and aged parents) will sense the fact, and will want to share in the sacrifices. It will become a family consecration, a family dedication and sacrifice. And far from feeling "deprived" and mistreated by their low-level support, they will rejoice that they are counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ. Truly, they, like Moses will "account the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt." Poverty for poverty's sake we abhor; but poverty for the cross of Christ may well offer the happiest and richest life this earth can afford — and then heaven! We know a Christian business man who has a motto on the wall of his office: "I work for the Lord; the wages aren't very good. But the retirement plan is ABSOLUTELY THE GREATEST."

— F. Y. T.