A year ago, I walked the stage for graduation at Oakland City University on May 7th and began my job at Peace Fellowship Church on May 8th the very next day. I remember going to eat lunch in celebration and then immediately going to my dorm room to prepare for the next day. Some have called me a “glutton for punishment,” but I was eager to put into practice what I had learned.

My prior experience was being an associate pastor for about 3 years at Winslow General Baptist church, and although I had a lot of great people pouring into me, this new job was a different ballpark. Now I didn’t have someone to oversee me, no “boss,” or anyone to tell me what to do (save the Almighty). Now it was on my call.

Many might have taken that as a sign of freedom, but I admit that I was feeling more fear than relief. Now I had no one telling me that I did well, save for a few “Good sermon, pastor,” comments. Now I had no one telling me when I messed up, save for the blank stares I’d get in the pews. Now I had the reins. 

Going forward, I found myself in this odd place; stuck between being a leader and being a young man. I was also stuck between being a member of Generation Z and being a clergyman. Growing up, I’ve been to many Bible studies and Sunday school classes where the issue of “This new, wicked generation,” was the topic for the entire hour. Hearing this while growing up made me skeptical of entering into a field like ministry and made me raise an eyebrow to the older generation.

The cost of entry is high for ministry: both spiritually and socially. I am happy to report that many ministers have been incredibly supportive of me, even though not all of them have. I was pleasantly surprised by the treatment that I received from some gentlemen. For example, I met a gentleman on the day I was examined for ordination. Though I had only just met him, when I was ready to leave one hour later, he was hugging me and gave me his phone number.

At the same time, I’ve found work in the church to be a double-edged sword. On one hand, I’m the minister, but on another hand I’m just a kid. And while the ministers in the field are more supportive, my generation is a lot more “hit-and-miss.” My peers are quite supportive, but I can tell when I meet a stranger that the inevitable, “What do you do for a living,” will come up, and Romans 1:16 will ring in my head.

I have seen demeanors change, awkward silences, reports about the last time someone was in church, and even confessions in the middle of the Dollar General checkout line. Being a pastor doesn’t have that “zing” anymore, while it still has some sort of reverence. It’s not respected by some, while others find it most noble. I’m certain that you’ve felt the same way when dealing with different kinds of people. 

Luckily, many people in and out of my churches have poured into me, and a group of good men felt confident enough in me to send me off with their “approval” by means of a degree. I am, of course, referring to the wonderful gentlemen at Chapman Seminary. You will seldom find a more patient, intelligent, and deeply understanding group of men. I urge every young minister, new minister, old minister, experienced minister to get an education if you have not yet done so.

Many times already, my education has given me the proper tools to keep going. Many times I’d take a deep breath and realize that an entire class time of discussion had been spent on such an issue. Other times I’d have a book to reference, or an author who is (or was) a specialist in a certain area.

I was given everything I needed to begin, but I certainly still had much to do in order to keep going. The way I see it, experience and education marry quite well together. When you put both together, something wonderful happens. God made us to work together, and Paul described our cooperation as intricate and as efficient as a body.

As a young pastor, I would not have any inkling of leadership authority if it were not for my education. I prefer to be a brother of my congregants instead of an authoritative pastor. I’ve considered myself, although called by God, no doubt, more of a specialist in religion. I’ve studied and practiced in order to care for the religious needs of my people. I’ve taken this perspective as a remedy for my strange position as both a young man and pastor. And again, I encourage everyone, especially young ministers, to seek an education so that they have those same tools. 

For a very similar reason, I encourage older ministers with experience to help out younger ministers. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you see one of us. Most importantly: please don’t give up on us. Many have already, and time is so valuable for the church here on earth. Young ministers need the experience of the older ministers in order to keep our heads above water and avoid dangers in the ministry.

I know from my experience with high school kids that mentoring can be greatly rewarding. Imagine what more you could do with the experience that you have! For younger ministers, don’t be afraid of the ministers who are trying to help you. I was once told that it is wise to assume that everyone that you meet has something to teach you, if you listen.

Now, my final advice to young and old ministers is this: carry that attitude in your own lives and try to work together. Don’t let the generation gap keep you from your own brother or sister. Don’t let the differences of our generations keep us from learning together about different aspects of ministry. Young ministers can learn great lessons and hear great advice from their older brothers and sisters in Christ. Older ministers can learn new ideas and effective strategies from younger brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Although it is my temptation to see the church as a “dying industry,” I know that that perspective won’t work for us. We can make a difference here and now as long as we don’t give up. Take on the burden of Ezekiel: 

I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.

Although we might see many discouraging things, we ought not to give up. I’d be a hypocrite if I urged you all not to give up on my generation and then do the same thing. The truth is: the gospel is for every man, and even those who are closed off, backslidden, and even anti-Christian need the gospel. After a year in the ministry, these have been my conclusions.

About the Author: Nyles Head is a Pastor from Southeast Missouri who pastors in Newburgh, Indiana at Peace Fellowship Church. Nyles began his ministry at 15 by speaking on occasion at a church back home and his first official job as pastor was an associate pastor position at Winslow General Baptist Church. Nyles has begun senior pastoring, and has been senior pastoring since May 2022.