Articles
A Worthy Calling
In recent years there has been an added attention to the growing shortage of preachers in churches of Christ across the nation. More and more congregations who lose a preacher (whether to retirement, death, location change, or career change) are finding it extremely difficult to fill that empty pulpit. While there are plenty of entities trying to help fill the void by training young men, there is a troubling reality that Bible programs across our brotherhood schools are experiencing the trend of declining enrollments. In other words, there are not as many men answering the call to fulltime ministry. Ideas on why we have this shortage are as numerous as the vacant pulpits across the nation. Today, I would like to suggest that one reason fewer men are answering the call to ministry is because too many Christians have stopped viewing it as a worthy calling.
Not too many decades ago, a young man who expressed interest in preaching was met with numerous responses of encouragement, well-wishes, admiration, and support. Parents would beam with delight when they told people, “My boy is going to be a gospel preacher!” We responded this way because we were convinced it was a noble work to take on. No, it was not going to make one materially rich, but it would bring a wealth of spiritual treasure.
Sadly, though, that tune has changed sharply in the last 20-30 years. Nowadays, it is more common for young men who dream of ministry to be met with responses like, “Wouldn’t it be better to find something more stable?” or “Don’t you have bigger dreams for your life than that?” Diminishing thoughts as these are usually rooted in a belief that worthy careers are only those that have the best chances of landing the big salary, house, benefits, and retirement. Anything less than extreme financial security is somehow settling for less in life. To be sure, we do love our preachers and ministers dearly. We believe they do great work and help us be better followers of Jesus. We love their work…until it is our kid who wants to follow in their footsteps, and then we express deep concern when there are not enough men to fill the ministry holes. Folks, those two responses do not match well.
I suggest it is time we take a step back and reevaluate our own perspective on the true value of full-time ministry. Paul, quoting the prophet Isaiah, noted, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news” (Rom. 10:15)! While this is not exclusively about full-time ministers, it certainly applies. The Bible calls it a beautiful work. Do we see it that way?
