From: Bob Younce ryounce@midcogen.com
My senior shake-out actually occurred during my first semester of seminary, but it began during my senior year.
During that time, I met my wife; she had a 2 year-old from her first marriage. Things were tight financially, and I had to make a choice about whether to stay in or get out; I got out. Now Five years, a profitable career, and 2 kids later I'm rediscovering my call to ministry, and intend to re-enter seminary in the fall.
Was my delay disobedience? In retrospect, I'm not sure that I can say whether or not it was. At the time, I fully believed that I was doing the right thing. However, as you said, "sooner more than later you will have to choose between obedience to the call, or disobedience". Now, I have not only a wife and step-daughter to support, but two other children to support, and I often wonder if it might not have been easier (at least financially) to stick with my original path. In addition, my rediscovery of the call isn't sitting too well with my wife, as we've become very comfortable with our life and income.
I really think I'd have been better off if I would have stuck with it the first time around. Maybe my situation will make a student who is in a similar situation make a better choice than I did.
Bob Younce Systems Administrator Midland, MI 48640
From: "Billy Sunday" billy_sunday@hotmail.com
I have to believe that there are a lot of people going to seminary looking for a career. In fact, I will even go further and submit that there are those that make it 10, 20, and even 30 years in a career without ever getting washed out --- but they have nothing more than a career.
I believe that a person that has a true calling does not even have a need to go to school to learn how to be a preacher. If God wants an educated man, then he will call an educated man. I can't find one instance in the Bible where God called a man to preach/teach, and then sent him to man for training. The apostle Paul said he was made a minister by the working of the Spirit.
This may sound harsh, but too many are going to school looking for a career in the ministry, and we are turning out a lot of educated fools.
From: ERugen1020@aol.com
God will not call you where His grace will not keep you.
-- Keli Rugenstein
From: "Rod Pickett" rod@ameritech.net
Of course, you've put your finger on something important, but there is another dynamic at work here. The transition from "the protective IWU nest" into the real world where most of the students will find themselves is far too abrupt. (I know that some things have been attempted to address this problem, such as practicum. But those don't seem to help much.)
This problem is caused by many factors.
1) Most students, myself included, leave school with an arrogant attitude.
We've studied things many older pastors never even heard of, not to mention the average lay person. We are filled with enthusiasm and ideas. We have been told that commitment, faith and hard work will carry the day.
Unfortunately, we fail to appreciate the value of a 70-year-old widow whose favorite hymn is theologically unsound and who never heard of the synoptic problem but who knows more about godliness than we may ever learn.
We also forget that real life is not as simple as textbooks imply it is, just as real-life math problems don't have the neat answers of the story problems.
We've also been indoctrinated with a false idea of success that gives little weight to faithfulness.
2) District superintendents--I happen to have an outstanding one (just in case John is reading this)--feel an enormous pressure to "keep things going." Consequently, these young graduates are placed in no-win situations with little real help. The district executive doesn't have the time or energy to give the needed hands-on direction to help these youngsters survive situations that would tax the most gifted and experienced pastors in the district.
3) Small churches are tired of "breaking in" young pastors. What most of these small churches need is a semi-retired "chaplain" to care for the people. Instead, they get a beginner with big dreams (most of which they've heard before) and few pastoral skills (most of which can only be developed over time).
Certainly every individual who survives this ordeal has a "call." But what about those who don't survive. Is the reason they didn't survive because they didn't have a "call"? Or could it be because there is a flaw in the system? Are they just cannon fodder for the army of Christ? Is a trial by ordeal really the best way to judge a person's calling?
I don't have any quick answers.
I do know that several things are being done in an attempt to address the problem. I also know that the church is fortunate to have individuals like you who have a passion for pastoral ministry and compassion for the individuals trying to do it.
But I wonder if we should just accept the casualties of the first years of pastoral ministry as inevitable or necessary. Indeed, those who survive are stronger as a result of their experience. But are they more effective? Are all those who don't survive mistaken about their "call"?
--Rod Pickett, 22-year "veteran"
From: David E Drury daviddrury@juno.com
Great memo to the seniors, one they should not only read but contemplate. I wonder how much time those students that are considering their call actually spend in the scriptures and in prayer in this process? The tendency is to consult these divine communication methods less and less in a "call-discernment" period. Confirmation of one's calling to Christ's army of ministers can at times come from life circumstances, but life circumstances for a "potential minister" are, as you point out, usually discouraging. More often a calling does and should come from our interaction with the Spirit's filling, Christ's cross and God's word.
For myself, a "student years confirmation" came from a close study and identification with the story of Elisha and the "double portion" that he received after "training" under the "greater prophet" Elijah. I prayed for that double portion and have since had a Blessed Assurance of my call. Temptful doubting never leaves us... but neither does the Spirit's thumb in our backs pushing us on!
Pick up the mantle that has been thrown down to you. Have courage! A ministerial student need not be totally ready -- God is the one everything rests on.
--Dave Drury; Indianapolis
P.S. The ISP title of your article was "you signed up for war." I wonder if that makes those who "get shook out" just a bunch of draft dodgers? mmmmmmmm......
From: "Jonathan W. Light" tfett@voyager.net
I think you answered your own question about the call from few weeks back.
--Jonathan Light