Dear Editor,
There is a common conception that it is best for ministers to have a long spell in secular employment before undertaking ministry, as was articulated in a letter in the June edition of EN. I would suggest that this is a flawed idea.
If a minister is required to have been in employment in order to be able to relate to and preach successfully to those in employment, then by the same logic he needs to have been retired to relate to those who are retired (of which there are many in our churches in the UK). In fact, to take it to the fullest extreme of logic, he needs to have been a woman in order to relate and preach to women.
Some of the greatest preachers in history have started when they were young, without going into employment. Charles Spurgeon was only 20 when he entered his first pastorate, and just a couple of years later was considered the most popular preacher of his time. John Stott was a mere 23 when he began his ministry and George Whitfield broke the ordination rules of the time when he was ordained at just 21.
In answer to the original question of where the young ministers are, I actually know many men around my age (I’m on the verge of turning 30!) who have recently entered the ministry or are training for ministry. I don’t think there’s reason for despair, though there is always reason to be training that next generation.
One question that does need to be asked, though, is: where are the churches that are ready for the next generation of ministers? Younger ministers want churches that are ready to use contemporary Bible translations, sing songs written this millennium and are willing for legitimate change. Most importantly, we want churches ready to be on mission not to be about maintenance.
Sincerely,
