IN THEORY:Are clergy numbers on the decline?

The percentage of new clergy younger than 35, across mainline denominations, including Protestant and Roman Catholic, is reportedly dropping, according to a recent study by the Lewis Center for Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary. Are you seeing a drop in your faith? If so, what do you think is driving it? Are you concerned?

The dilemma of an aging clergy is symptomatic of a general aging of church and synagogue members. Seats vacated by the older generation are now left empty instead of being filled by youth.

So we must address the underlying question of why young people are participating in religion less than their parents.

The baby boom generation was raised under the assumption that they would automatically absorb their elders' beliefs and become active participants in religious life. If they questioned certain aspects of theology, they were often admonished to "do as you're told."

Thoughtful explanations and genuine dialogue were rare. And today, when the children of baby boomers ask questions, what can these parents say in reply?

In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon says: "Educate each child according to his own way, so even when he grows old, he will not depart from it."

It's the responsibility of parents and clergy to reach out to young people and gauge what they need. Without sacrificing our core beliefs, we must offer a religious lifestyle that appeals to a contemporary generation. If we do this, it will only be a matter of time before we see a greater interest in religious services and rising attendance. In turn, that will lead to younger and more energetic clergy members.

Today, Jews across the world are celebrating the first day of Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish New Year. Traditionally, this is the birthday of Adam, the first man; it is also the beginning of the educational process. I pray on this day that we have the wisdom to educate our youth so that they become torchbearers of the faith — and that they will have the fortitude to endure the pressures of our ever-changing world.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center

The Armenian Church suffers a tremendous clergy shortage. Before the Armenian Genocide, the ratio of clergy to souls was 1:140. The Turkish plan of genocide began with an assault directly on the church.

The 70 years of Soviet atheism that followed prevented a few generations of priests from rising. Today the ratio of clergy to laity stands at 1:25,000.