Seminary Enrolment Increases Without Plans to Preach: Across the theological and denominational spectrum seminaries have experienced strong enrollment. However, increasingly fewer seminary graduates are going into traditional church and preaching ministries. Only about half of those graduating with an M.Div. now enter parish ministry. Among mainline denominations many graduates enter social service, chaplaincy, or academia. Among conservative groups, many are in parachurch ministry and other advocacy groups. The percentage of seminarians going into pulpit ministry has declined by 10-15% in the last five years alone. (New York Times March 17, 2006 p. 1A)
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The Pastor's Study 