It has been said that church vocations no longer attract the “best and brightest” young Christians. Do believe that is true? If so, what should we do about it?
Twelve years ago, as an editor of a Baptist state paper, I wrote that “we channel our best and brightest Baptist youth in the direction of law, medicine, education, business, engineering, computer science and a host of other professions” when, instead, “we should jealously cultivate our 10-talent youth for a life of service in local churches.” I still believe this.
Two disclaimers. First, I do not mean to suggest that many Baptist youth who enter ministry are not capable and committed. They are. Nor do I suggest, second, that other vocations are not worthy pursuits. Our churches need devout, talented laity.
My point is that local-church ministry, like many professions, has lost some of its luster. Blame some of the decline in people choosing church vocations on our culture’s preference for hazy spirituality instead of religious institutions. Modernity and secularity do not have to be organized conspiracies in order to cause people to tune out our message and spurn our mission.
But much of ministry’s lack of appeal is self-inflicted. Many congregations pay their clergy poorly, withhold encouragement and stifle attempts at creativity. They hold conflicting expectations of ministers’ work — reach new people but cater to long-time members, innovate but change nothing, be relevant but shake your finger at the world, challenge the complacent but don’t offend givers.
Add the wounds unleashed on ministry by the clergy. Some ministers have soiled their calling by sexual infidelity, financial ineptitude, shoddy work habits and other professional misconduct. Thoughtful, mature young Christians — the kind our churches need as their future ministers — wonder whether such a blemished institution offers the best place to invest their one, precious life.
What can we do?
First, we can love the local church. No young disciple will pour out his or her life in a place people treat like a hobby. The best and brightest are motivated by a challenge and a vision. Anyone can be your minister if all you want to do is have church on Sunday. Expect nothing of yourself, your minister and your church, and you will get it. You will excite the best if you want to change the world one life at a time.
Second, we can call out the called. God extends the call, but someone needs to ask. Parents, congregations and pastors can fan into flame the smoldering call in young Christians. We should not elevate church vocations above laity, or guilt young disciples into church work. Rather, we invite them to consider ministry as an option for a life’s work.
Third, we can open our pulpits to women, many of whom are among our best and brightest. Why would God choose from less than half of the talent pool?
Mike Clingenpeel is pastor of River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond, Va., and a former editor of the Religious Herald. Right or Wrong? is sponsored by the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology in Abilene, Texas. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to [email protected].