In Chicago, They've Done Something About the Clergy Crisis
Diocesan Press Service. January 23, 1970 [83-9]
If you were in Chicago last month (January), you might well have seen an advertisement reading, "We're looking for hard-core human beings to serve as priests, rabbis and ministers. "
This, and the many other similar messages on radio, television and public billboards, and in newspapers, magazines and other media were the result of a massive and unique effort planned by representatives of Protestant, Catholic and Jewish faiths to confront the crisis of declining numbers of clergy. The Interfaith Committee for Religious Careers, a group of Chicagoans, planned and organized the project with the help of mass media and advertising specialists.
Among the groups reached by the project were persons who have influence on vocations, such as clergy, teachers, coaches, chaplains, parents, opinion leaders, official church organizations, and the prospects themselves -- young people of all faiths who are capable of expressing concern for their fellow man through a life of dedication and service as a minister, a priest, or a rabbi.
The four major objectives of the program were to seek new ways to communicate the ministry to the contemporary world, to interpret the meaning of the ministry as a career to the general public, to encourage young people to consider a religious career, and to reinforce the dedication and commitment of seminarians in studies and of ordained ministers in active service.
"Organized religion's response to the current generation gap is often less than encouraging, " says Dr. G. Douglass Lewis, Director of the National Cooperative Enlistment Project of the National Council of Churches and chairman of the Chicago project. "Too often there has been a reliance on ways and means of the past and a reluctance to face the future."
"Couple this approach with the current rise in theological debate and discussion, the apparent lack of understanding of the clergy's role, a lack of interest in institutionalized religion and negative press comment and coverage on a world-wide basis -- and the ingredients for a decline in religious careers are all present, " explained Dr. Lewis.
"The Interfaith Committee for Religious Careers is optimistic about the future roles which ministers, priests and rabbis can play in our society, and we are hopeful that our efforts will produce an adequate response by young people, " he said.
In addition to Dr. Lewis, other Chicago area religious leaders who participated in this project were Dr. Irving Bailin, director, B'Nai B'Rith Vocational Service; John A. Donahue, assistant executive Director, Serra International; Rev. J. Edward Duggan, Director of Vocations, Archdiocese of Chicago and a member of the National Association of Diocesan Vocations Directors; Rev. John O'Neill, executive director of the National Center for Church Vocations (Catholic); and Rabbi Mordecai Simon, executive director, Chicago Board of Rabbis.
Among the communications specialists assisting the committee were Daniel J. Edelman, President, Daniel J. Edelman, Inc.; Harold Handly, Vice President/Associate Management Supervisor, J. Walter Thompson Company; Charles McBride, Jr., Vice President, Elrick & Lavidge, Inc.; Walter S. Meyers, Vice President/General Manager, National Advertising Company, 3-M Corporation; and Ralph Wright, Vice President, Foote, Cone & Belding.
Persons in other areas of the country wishing to learn more about the procedures, methods and successes of the Chicago venture are asked to contact Mr. Richard Barry or Mr. Richard L. Wiberg, Daniel J. Edelman Inc., 221 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601.
(From CLIPSHEET, the conference news service of the United Church of Christ)