Sydney is in danger of running out of ministers despite record growth at Moore College because graduate numbers have not kept pace with rapid church planting.
In the last three years, more than 65 new churches and congregations were started but demand for trained pastors has outstripped supply since the launch of the Diocesan Mission in 2002.
"We have more ordination candidates than ever before [but] there aren't enough to go around," said Sue Bennett, Director of Development at Moore College.
"Sixty five new churches have been planted and they need people to run them."
""I say to people [looking for staff], "you've got to get in there and network.'"
The number of ordination candidates entering College rose by a third last year and the current fourth year is the largest ever, with 35 candidates among those soon to graduate.
Twelve parishes missed out on hiring someone last year and some are trying again.
But competition will be strong " 50 parishes, schools and organisations in Sydney alone are looking to hire one or more people.
Rector of Quakers Hill Anglican Church, the Rev Dane Courtney, missed out on hiring a new minister last year and is on the lookout again for 2006.
"We offered the position to a couple of people but they had several offers to choose from," Mr Courtney said.
"There probably is a shortage [but] we're reasonably confident we'll find someone for next year."
Dean Phillip Jensen wrote to all rectors last year urging them to consider employing a graduate from Moore in 2006 in light of the student growth.
Next year's ordination service will be "one of the largest in the Anglican Communion' said the Rev Mark Charleston from Ministry Training and Development.
"Our churches are becoming more mission-minded," he said.
"The Mission is a call for Christians to consider afresh radical career diversions."
Meanwhile Sydney has a higher than usual number of vacant parishes, with almost one in ten without a rector.
About 25 per cent of rectors are expected to retire over the next 10 years.
New research from Anglicare suggests one in ten Sydney Anglicans between the ages of 15 and 30 will need to train for ministry over the next decade if Mission targets are to be met.
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