Mergers and closings of parishes make calls less likely.
From Lutheran Notes:
Apparently, they weren't getting enough sem students based on the old report, so they hyped it even further then when I saw it last. In 1992 is was around 500 vacancies, but in 2008 the report says there are 1155 vacant pastoral positions! The report also says by 2010, 25% of pulpits will be empty. That's surprising given that in 2008 19 graduates at Concordia Sem in St. Louis couldn't be placed right away, and 13 were not placed at the Fort.
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GJ - Ablaze! is a fizzle. But I know what they are saying in cologne-filled boardrooms across Lutherdom: "We need more Church Growth programs!"
