Pastoral Ministry

pastor preaching on stage to congregation

What is Pastoral Ministry?

Pastoral ministry involves shepherding a local congregation through preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and overall spiritual leadership. Pastors serve as primary spiritual leaders who guide churches in worship, discipleship, and community outreach. This ministry is multifaceted, combining theological expertise with practical wisdom. Pastors are called to preach biblical truth and counsel individuals through life's challenges, all while maintaining their own spiritual vitality.

The Importance of Pastoral Ministry in America Today

American churches face a significant pastoral shortage that threatens congregational health nationwide. According to Lifeway Research, the average pastor today is 57 years old, compared to 50 in the year 2000, and there are now more full-time senior pastors over age 65 than under age 40. This aging pastoral workforce faces declining support, as seminary enrollment continues to drop, and fewer young people pursue vocational ministry.

Despite these challenges, the pastorate remains essential for church health and community spiritual leadership. According to a 2023 Gallup poll, regular religious service attendance has dropped from 42% twenty years ago to 30% currently, making effective pastoral leadership more critical than ever for engaging communities with the gospel and building lively faith communities.

InFaith Missionaries in Pastoral Ministry

Bruce & Alba Sewell

Bruce and Alba Sewell serve Hispanic families on their field in Florida. Through Iglesia Biblica de la Comunidad (“Community Bible Church”), they are able to bring expository Bible teaching and...

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Keith & linda stringfellow

Keith & Linda Stringfellow

Keith and Linda Stringfellow serve in southern California. As a Field Director, Keith provides pastoral care, ministry help, and administrative support to the InFaith missionaries serving on various fields throughout...

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Kenny and Amy Gray

Kenny & Amy Gray

Kenny & Amy serve in the Southern Oregon field. While residing in Grants Pass, their main ministry hub is Williams Community Bible Church (WCBC), where Kenny serves as Pastor and...

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Begin Your Pastoral Ministry with InFaith

Do you sense God's call to provide spiritual leadership for a local church? Are you prepared to invest in the challenging yet rewarding work of pastoral ministry? InFaith provides the support structure, mentoring, and ongoing care you need to thrive in pastoral ministry.

Whether you're pursuing pastoral ministry for the first time or seeking a supportive community for your ongoing pastoral work, we invite you to apply today to begin or continue your pastorate with InFaith.

Begin your Pastoral Ministry