“…when the story of Jesus ceases to be the center point of our message, the church becomes weak and unbalanced.” (Pg. 187) These words by David T. Olson in the book The American Church in Crisis have stayed with me since I read them. The question for me has been – “If this is true for the church, is it equally true for the preparation process of church leaders, and, what does it look like to keep Jesus at the center of ministerial formation?”
I know that years ago, when I began this job, it was not uncommon to have people share with me that they felt they were in danger of “losing their faith” while in seminary. That is much less true today and I hear many accounts of people who experienced spiritual growth during their seminary days. Spiritual disciplines such as personal retreats, prayer and fasting are common practice amongst the candidates in the program at present. When I meet with candidates I often witness tears because people feel compelled to share their love relationship with Jesus. I ask myself, “What has changed and what is being done differently in seminaries and agencies such as the MFCA?”
One thing that is different is the fact that many individuals sacrifice more financially today. To have people incur $50,000 - $100,000 worth of student loan debt is not unheard of. Scripture implies that sacrifice and suffering draw people into a deeper and more meaningful relationship to Jesus. Another thing that is more prevalent today, compared to eighteen years ago when I started this position, is that people tend to spend more of their time in actual ministry as compared to the classroom. Although this means that the formational time is extended, very few complete the M.Div. degree in three years, it means that people are engaged in active day-to-day ministry.
It was also the case that eighteen years ago, many candidates were prone to specialize in pastoral care and counseling. As a matter of fact, that was even true for me and my seminary experience. In those days, late seventies, there was equal interest in social justice. Today, if people have an area of special interest it tends to be “church planting.” This makes for a different ethos among seminarians. As opposed to extending a ministry of care and presence, many candidates have a zeal for evangelism and entrepreneurial pursuits. What comes with this emphasis is an energy and emotion that feels different. Notice I did not say better, just different resulting in other types of ministers. I would suggest that it lends itself better to passion and in turn keeping a love relationship with Jesus at the center of one’s focus. Remember, I’m placing myself with the care and pastoral counseling folks.
Olson in his book suggests that church planting and the things that go along with it bring a health and prosperity to the church. He would imply, and I would conclude, that with this emphasis toward health and passion for planting churches comes an authentic, deep and meaningful love relationship with Jesus. The following quotes would make this argument:
“Healthy cultural adaptations and theological vitality occur more often in a denomination that excels at church planting, because the ferment of new ideas and ministry solutions is more robust.” (Pg. 158)
“New churches are critical to the health and vitality of the American church in general and denominations in particular. Strong, healthy new churches produce enormous benefit to their denomination and to the whole American church.” (Pg. 144)
“New churches are more effective than established churches at conversion growth.” (Pg. 156)
“Many of the people in the emerging culture do not share the philosophical assumptions of 50-year-old churches or even of churches that are 20 years old. Largely unaware of these changes, many churches continue to operate in modes and mentalities that no longer resonate with our culture.” (Pg. 161)
“The denominations that are declining today are slow and cautious, concerned about preservation and safety, often alienated from many of their own churches and its members. The denominations that are thriving today are nimble, fast, and multiplying strategically through grassroots ownership of the denomination’s missional vision.” (Pg. 115)
“New churches lower the age profile of the American church, increase its multiethnicity, and better position the whole church for future changes.” (Pg. 155)
I believe that the new climate of church planting and conversion growth is a good one. It is not only encouraging and causing people to fall in love with Jesus, but it is creating leaders who have at the center of their being a deep love for the Lord. These are good times indeed!
