FEWER MINISTERS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18671, 21 April 1926, Page 11

FEWER MINISTERS.

PROBLEM OP THE CHURCHES. (special to "the tress.") DUNEDIN, April 20. Churches that are'looking about for new ministers are experiencing a difficulty in filling vacancies. That is so with Presbyterians all over New Zealand, and some other bodies are also finding that the tupply of young clergymen is not equal to the demand, Enquiry from sources- that should be well-informed on the subject produces the information that the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand needs a min-istry-recruiting of about' ten men a year to keep things going normally, and that the average output of men who are licensed is about eight, so that there is a continuous shortage. Jiast year only two came to the license stage. This year is expected to produce eleven. The position therefore is not exactly critical, but it is serious. Various measures are discussed now and then with a view to restoring the balanco between supply and demand. One is to import more young clergymen from the Old Land; another is to discourage early, retirements. and in the minds of all concerned with the welfare of the Presbyterian and other Churches, there ifl the ever-present feeling that if ministers were more generously paid the calling would be more attractive.