Tenure

At the end of this month, I will have served 17 years in this Church -- if one includes 1¼ years as Assistant Minister. The average tenure of ministers in this Church has been fairly long: 10 years exactly, if one excludes me. Two ministers have served longer than me: my father before me (1969-1994) and Rev. W.H. Richards (1907-1925). Rev. David Williams (1949-1966) served longer than me if one does not include my time as Assistant. OBSERVATION: George Barna states: "The average tenure of a pastor in [US] Protestant churches has declined to just 4 years -- even though studies consistently show that pastors experience their most productive and influential ministry in years 5 through 14." (Some say it is 3 years, not 4).