While scrolling social media, I happened upon an open question from Travis Stephens that resonated with a conversation held just a week earlier with a few of my colleagues in ministry on the topic of churches struggling to fill positions of leadership, especially the role of pastor.

I reflected for a moment on my own calling and how, during that time, God used a single General Baptist church in White House, Tennessee to bring forward numerous men as pastors and leaders. Each of these men received or acknowledged their calling under the same man – Pastor Larry Treadway. My recollection from the late 90s and early 2000’s is that there were few, if any, empty pulpits in our local association; yet men were stepping forward in response.

Reacting to Travis’ question, “Why do you think fewer young people are going into ministry and what can we as the church do about it?”, I spewed out a “Top 12” list. Some were deep. Some not so much.

With a bit more substance…and in no particular order (beyond #1), I offer the following:

• We need more diligent, directed prayer specifically to see pastors called. It starts here. With all of us. Everyone. Not only pastors. Perhaps we have not because we ask not.

• Young people respond to example. We need more examples. Some churches have not seen a single person baptized in years, let alone step into ministry, leading some of our younger generations to perhaps question the stirrings in their own heart.

• Shrinking and/or Aging Congregations. There are no young men to respond to a call if there are no young men in the congregation. As well, a young person may be hesitant in preaching to a crowd of his elders. “What can I teach them?”  Timothy moment.

• Men respect strength and courage. A man that will fearlessly lead a church in the face of all efforts of the enemy will see men stand beside him and young men follow.

• The value of what can be accomplished in a small church by a pastor that loves Jesus is sometimes overshadowed by the flash and the prominence of “megachurches.”  The expectation of having to “deliver at that level” to be considered successful is daunting and unrealistic…and unnecessary.  Honor and encourage pastors and leaders in their service where they are and for who they are.

• Pastors should…with great discernment…seek out, recognize, and help to ignite the spark in a young person. Champion and encourage them. “I see God working in you. How can I help? Do you have any questions?  Again…Timothy.

• Many churches have removed Sunday and Wednesday evening services, which leads to a lack of opportunity for younger people to preach.  A church that previously had 150 services per year now have only 52, and it was likely these evening services most often utilized for training up young men and women in ministry. I fondly remember a time when young preachers were called up to deliver messages at local GB churches on Sunday and Wednesday nights.  The crowd was typically smaller, but made up of the “doors open” folk. Unintentionally, pastors can be protective of pulpit time. The reduced number of services also means fewer moments in the pulpit for those already serving. The first time that a young man stands in the pulpit is more often successful when approached with those who love them and want them to succeed.  Adding back something as simple as a quarterly Sunday evening reserved for someone other than the lead pastor can provide a great proving ground. Open the pulpit.

• Too many openly complain about how hard it is to be a pastor. Personal note:  This literally makes me throw up my hands and yell “Stop it!” “It’s not rewarding enough. It doesn’t pay enough. The world is against us. I’ll be canceled.” Speaking in private to an accountability team, spouse, friends who are discreet…completely understood.  But on social media or from the pulpit? Why would anyone want to be a pastor when the majority of what they hear or read about being pastor or ministry leader is negative? Pastors sharing “Why I chose to step down from the pulpit” articles on social media is not conducive to developing new pastors. Another caution here is how we speak about pastoring in front of our own kids.  Pastors’ kids have an upbringing that is different than most others, and what we allow them to hear has an unquestionable impact on their opinion of ministry. My own personal experience speaks here.

• Some small struggling churches have become comfortable being small struggling churches because growth would mean change…particularly in tradition. A young pastor might have new ideas and desire to do things that would change their demographics…like bringing in young people.  Or drums.
  
• The call to culture is in constant conflict with the call to ministry…and modern culture is LOUD in the ears of our younger generations.
  
• Not every young person is called to start out in youth ministry. Seriously.
  
• Lack of support and resourcing can take the feet out from under even experienced pastors. When a young person announces a call to ministry, the church should be ready and eager to help, support, and encourage them in every way possible.

Pulling these various threads together, my heart is drawn back to #1. Prayer. Diligent, intentional prayer for God to work a mighty work in the hearts of our younger generations and call them forward to proclaim the Gospel.

We should not only pray that God would move in the hearts of young men and women to respond to leadership, but that we…all of us…would be moved to support these men and women with affirmation, resources, finances, and celebration.

About the Author: Bill Petty is the Worship Pastor at Revolution Church in White House, TN. Alongside his wife, Cinda, and his children, Eve and William, he has served in multiple roles, including lead pastor, with more than 20 years in ministry…most of that time with a guitar somewhere close by.

General Baptist Ministries is trying to address this issue right now. Please join the Answering the Call Prayer Team to get updates on how God is moving in General Baptist churches all over the world. And for more info and resources visit our website.