Training men for ministry: encouraging 'one man ministry'

Dear Editor,

I am encouraged by the response to my Open Letter which you recently published [en June]. I have received considerable feedback personally, all of which has been entirely in agreement and supportive, and which comes from across the spectrum of the generations. This is not an issue on which older men are criticising the younger generation, as has been presented. I am also encouraged because it has, at least, stirred up a discussion, something which can only be good.

In particular, please permit me the opportunity to respond to the letter by Dave Williams which you published. I do so, not to justify myself in any way, but to correct some of his false assumptions. I confess I find it sad when, because someone disagrees with you, you effectively say ‘you don’t know what you are talking about’! I am not an ill-informed, elder statesman addressing the frontline from the context of a parachurch organisation. I am a fellow labourer who has no intention to stand down from the frontline. I am on the frontline with you and wanting to fight for what is possible. I happen to head up a Bible College but I am, through and through, a local church man, having spent more than 40 years working in and with local churches. Last summer, at the age of 68, I stood down from pastoring my third church, a church the Lord had privileged me to revitalise, and I spend most of my time preaching and teaching in small local churches as well as preparing people for ministry. I never said that the picture I painted was universally true of the UK, but it is definitely an accurate portrayal of large swathes of the church, as has been affirmed by all the feedback I have received personally.