It looks like you have been hanging around in my head again. You have a tendency to do that at times. I had a couple of quick comments.
1. I totally agree that the low average tenure of a pastor (or other leader) being so low is a shame. I know that for a while, that of youth pastors was about 1.5 years. Unfortunately, I must point out that some of the blame has to go to the church. From lack of support (financially, emotionally, spiritually...) to absence of freedom to perform assigned duties to harsh criticism and even personal attack, many pastors are looking for a different place to serve. I am not saying that the pastorate should be an overly comfortable position. What I am saying is that it would be great to see more churches actually empowering and enabling pastors to do the job they are there for.
2. I was looking at Alan's blog and thinking about some of your comments. Have you read George Barna's newest book, "Revolution?" If so, what did you think?
3. I realize I am preaching to the choir, but...I am really tired of the unspoken idea that only those in a paid church staff position can or should minister to people. Boil it down to laziness in most cases. How can I say it in a loving, Christ-honoring way? Get off your butts!! Hmm. Maybe not.

Corey, I totally understand what you're saying about the struggles that pastors face contributing to their short tenures. My point in posting that was just that I feel like I need to plant myself where I am and stay put for a while, in order to be most effective in my ministry.

No, I haven't read that book? You recommend it?

The idea that the work of the ministry is the job of every believer is exactly what is making me question whether or not it is necessary for me to be on staff at a church in order to fulfill my intense desire to do ministry.

Thanks for the feedback.

I have heard from someone wise that education is like filling your cup.  For those who get a HS Diploma, they fill it up yea high, those who get a Bachelor's fill it up higher, those who get a Master's fill it even higher, and those who get a Doctorate fill it to the brim (or perhaps now that would be post-doctoral work). That which you end up with in your cup are the resources from which you are able to pour out onto others.  His point was that you should go as far as you can so you can bless others with the intelligence and skill that God has enabled you to receive and process.  The main benefit to education is the education, not the piece of paper at the end.

However, as men, we've also been called to live unto the glory of God and provide well for our households.  A farther degree does not automatically make one more prosperous, but it does open more doors in which to do so.

I was listening to a sermon this morning that said in ancient times, a proverb regarding Jewish rabbis: "A rabbi who teaches his son a trade, teaches him well; a rabbi who does not teach his son a trade, teaches him to be a thief" (or something like that). Even Paul and other disciples/apostles earned money doing a trade (e.g., making tents) outside of ministering to the saints. I'm not so sure that Christ intended for people to go into "full-time ministry" as much as He intended us to be ministers whereever we are doing the trade to which God has called us.

Aye, these are life-defining times.  Choose wisely.