Why are Fewer Younger Men Going Into Pastoral Ministry?

Tyler wrote:

Does any young Christian man, raised in a conservative Christian family and church, really believe that, I wonder!? Just look at our society!

I’m not sure I understand. Believe what?

For the record, my concluding question in my previous comment was meant to be facetious.

My point is that the “call” is sometimes presented as something mystical or supernatural to the point where “God called me to preach” is said with such authority that it seems to be a reference to an actual voice.

Personally I believe that a man may have a desire to enter the ministry but should seek confirmation from the Word, Godly counselors, and even circumstances as he pursues his desire. It’s why good and honest ordination counsels sometimes suggest a candidate reevaluate himself.

It strikes me that if we altogether deny a call to ministry, we are not only rejecting ongoing prophecy, but perhaps also the leading of the Holy Spirit—a doctrine which I’d hope all cessationists would in fact endorse. And yet that call—that leading—needs to take place in context of that person’s place in the local church. Perhaps one might answer “Yes, Bob, you feel that calling, but you have trouble teaching your way out of a wet cardboard box, and you’re living in sin with your girlfriend. I’m not saying your calling is a wrong number, but let’s take some baby steps in the right direction here.”

I think we pretty much agree. Thanks for clarifying.

[Ron Bean]

My point is that the “call” is sometimes presented as something mystical or supernatural to the point where “God called me to preach” is said with such authority that it seems to be a reference to an actual voice.

Personally I believe that a man may have a desire to enter the ministry but should seek confirmation from the Word, Godly counselors, and even circumstances as he pursues his desire. It’s why good and honest ordination counsels sometimes suggest a candidate reevaluate himself.

I agree!

[Steven Thomas]

Each of these issues (preference for bi-vocational ministry, rejection of the idea of a divine call to ministry, and minimization of the qualifications for vocational ministry by multiplying lay elders) seem to share a common element. They seem to reflect reaction against bad experiences in some churches, a reaction used as justification for poor ecclesiology.

Plurality of Elders is not a reaction against bad experiences and justification for poor ecclesiology; it is a solution to a poor ecclesiology of having a solo pastor/deacon board run church. The New Testament is abundantly clear that churches had ELDER (s). Not one reference to “THE Pastor”.

I think I can argue the solo pastor both ways; that yes, it does seem to be the usual pattern, but at the same time there is no outright claim that the church that only has one elder is in sin. But that said, it strikes me, per Jesus’ example, Paul’s example, Matthew 28, and 2 Timothy 2:2, that the obedient elder who is indeed making disciples who “are able to teach others” is indeed going to find himself quickly as one of a number of elders.

I have to commend a lot of the discussion here, really. I see a few people who have been genuinely hurt and are not afraid to let that be known, many who are pointing at some very genuine and weaknesses in our movement, and many who are suggesting some ways out of the morass. I’m personally very troubled over what I see as huge weakness in the Bible colleges of the nation, and how too often they teach people what to think instead of how to think. (pray for a dear brother and his wife here who are having a rough time of it, having gotten some of the business end of the deal, too)

I took a very small poll of PK’s who are now adults as to why they didn’t follow in their father’s footsteps. While they said that their pastor/fathers loved the work they did and seldom if ever complained about “the work” they were very aware of the financial stress their parents were under and wanted to be able to provide for their families and future. The few second generation pastors with whom I’m familiar had pastor/fathers who were occupationally (long terms in one church) and financially secure and often assumed their father’s pastorates.

One obstacle is to hear pastors talk about how “hard” their work. Some of them sound like they are near suffering from chronic depression and are physically and spiritually exhausted. Personally I lean to the joy the Apostle Paul enjoyed that allowed him to rise above troubled circumstances that we will never experience.