As the Pastorate Turns

From Thom Rainer:

So much has changed in pastoring in just thirty years. Let’s look at major ways the pastorate has changed in that time.

1. Thirty years ago, most people in the community held the pastor in high esteem. 
2. Thirty years ago, most people in the congregation held the pastor in high esteem. 
3. Leadership skills are required more today than thirty years ago.  
4. Interpersonal skills are required more today than thirty years ago.   
5. Outreach was accomplished by getting people to come to church services thirty years ago. That is not so today.   
6. Thirty years ago, there were very few “nones.”  
7. The Internet and social media have made pastoring much more challenging than it was thirty years ago.