# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S141
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES

Table 6 — Active Pastors Grouped by Age
Age Group of Pasters

Under 25 a_i‘ ‘iéC;C;C*r'L
2529 585
30-34 593
35-39 547
0-440 618
a 642
50-54 497

55—59 481
60-64 351
65—69 __ 255
W744 83
Over 75 15

According to this table, there are 100 active pastors at this
time who are 70 years old and over. The thought has been ex-
pressed that this group as well as many in the 65 to 69 age group
might retire at the end of this year since they can take advantage
of the benefits extended under the New Social Security Act. The
possibility cannot be dismissed that replacement needs might in-
crease by virtue of Social Security.

The Present Pastor Shortage
The pastor shortage includes parish vacancies. At the end of
1955, 342, or eight per cent, of Synod’s parishes in North America
were vacant.
The Projected Pastor Need
Synod’s past experience would normally indicate a pastor need
for the next ten years in the following numbers:

For new congregations 995
For assistant pastors __ — 650
For pastors in special fields 100
For replacement 1,068
For existing shortage 342

Total _. 2,555

Anticipated Development in America

However, a pastor need of 2,555 is not adequate for the un-
usual decade that lies ahead. The next ten years are expected
to record startling advancements in our national life.

By 1965 the population of this country is expected to rise to
190 million, an increase of 25 million over the 1956 total of 165
million. The number of families is expected to increase by one
fifth, to 56 million.

A $500 billion economy is anticipated by 1965, and corpora-
tions are planning products and increased plant facilities accord-