What Does Our Youth Think Of The Ministry?

Stephen Voorwinde. Trowel & Sword, March 1977

Preamble: When speaking of “The Ministry” it has been generally understood that one is referring to a pastor/minister of a church, so it is interesting that the questionnaire mentioned below was given to both male and female participants at a state camp, particularly as fifty years ago the question of women pastors in the Reformed Churches would not even have been considered. It could however be argued that women married to or considering being married to a man thinking about the ministry should be aware of how this would also affect her life. It’s a tough gig for both and not one that should be entered into lightly. So the outcomes of this “research” makes for interesting reading and the questions asked should be thoroughly considered by anyone thinking about whether God has called them to enter “The Ministry”.

What Does Our Youth Think Of The Ministry?

When you stop to think about it this is a question that should make you hold your breath. “Humanly” speaking the future of our churches might well depend on the answer. What if our young people thought negatively of the ministry? Or, perhaps worse, didn’t think of it at all? Well (and again we’re speaking “humanly”) you need have no fears if all the Reformed youth of Australia are as serious, dedicated, spiritual and perceptive as are many of our young people in N.S.W.

At one of our State camps in 1976 they were presented with a questionnaire entitled “If You Were a Minister…….” This questionnaire was answered by 64 young people – 29 males and 35 females. Of these approximately 55 were members of a Reformed Church. Their ages ranged from 15 to 27 years; the average age was 20.

As you read their answers given below, you might keep in mind at least three facts that this survey tells us about these young people:

Firstly, their answers will reflect how they have been taught.

Secondly, their response will let their ministers know what is expected of them.

Thirdly, it will indicate whether or not they have at all considered the call to the ministry for themselves.

Here then are the results of the questionnaire. (The questionnaire itself is in bold print, the answers in ordinary type).

WHAT WOULD YOUR PRIORITIES BE? (LIST ORDER OF PREFERENCES) 

Visiting church members   3 

Evangelism 14 

Preaching 39 

Church Administration   1

Catechism and youth work   3

Community service   1

Other   3

2.  WHAT WOULD BE THE OVERALL GOAL OF YOUR MINISTRY?

As might be expected, the answers given here tied in closely with those to the previous question. The overall goals were seen mainly in terms of preaching and evangelism, sometimes with remarkably clear insights into the relationship between the two. Here are some examples:

“To arouse an interest in the study of God’s Word and to orientate the Church towards its aim of obeying Jesus’ commission.”

“To provide for the spiritual needs of the congregation and to give counsel and comfort in matters of their faith. I feel this is paramount because these are God’s people and they have to be led. Then would come evangelism to others.”

A sixteen year-old’s reply was to the point: “Helping people meet God.”

3  HOW LONG, ON THE AVERAGE, WOULD YOU SPEND PREPARING EACH SERMON?

0-5 HOURS 5

6-10 hours 23

11-15 hours 21

16-20 hours.   6

Over 20 hours   5

4. FOR WHAT REASONS WOULD YOU VISIT CHURCH MEMBERS?

Here an equal priority was given to social and problem-oriented approaches. Each of these was given as a reason by 26 of the young people. Considerably less emphasis was placed on counselling (12) visiting the sick (11) and discipline (6). Again some samples:

“Coffee, cake, closer relationship.”

“To keep in contact with them, build up a relationship where they feel free to bring any problems they may have to you. Fellowship.”

“To help in problems concerning understanding of the Bible and personal relationship to Jesus; to urge them on in personal devotions.”

5. WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT SUCH VISITS TO ACHIEVE?

The recurring trend in each answer was basically to retain communication and a closer relationship. Once this was established, then to move on to various other issues. These included: better understanding, sharing concern, counselling opportunities and encouragement. At the bottom of this list (surprisingly) were such diverse replies as: “solving problems” “ability to assist.” and “no achievement.”

6. WHAT PERSONAL QUALITIES WOULD YOU AIM TO HAVE?

What struck me in the answers given here was an almost complete absence of the heroic, the dynamic and the charismatic. The emphasis was much more on the “quieter’ side of the minister’s character. The qualities most frequently mentioned were: understanding (24), communication abilities (23), wisdom (19), patience (19), Christian love (13) the ability to listen (12) and knowledge of the Bible (12). On the other hand, leadership ability was mentioned only 8 times and boldness and enthusiasm each occurred only once.

7. WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR WIFE? YOUR CHILDREN?

“To be a normal Christian family!”

“Co-operation with your daily work, good family relationships.”

“For her to love me in my work, to be ordinary children, but to be true Christians.” “That they love the Lord, help you with your work, be patient, and that my wife would be able to cope with my sudden disappearances.

These answers were fairly representative. Again “understanding” was the quality given top priority for both wives and children.

8. HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK WOULD YOU SPEND ON EACH OF THE FOLLOWING? PERSONAL PRAYER 10.2 HOURS (average) 

Bible study 10.5 hours

Sermon preparation 12.5 hours 

Being with your family 29.3 hours

Visiting church members 9.4 hours 

Evangelism 8.4 hours 

Church administration 6.4 hours

Involvement in the community 9.0 hours

If we leave out “Being with your Family,” we have a fair indication of the minister’s

working week. Here the average was 66.4 hours, with a range in responses from 35 to 136 hours! The latter would leave a whole 32 hours for eating, sleeping and being with the family. What a life!

9. WHAT OTHER SKILLS WOULD YOU AIM TO HAVE APART FROM PREACHING?

Strangely enough two of the most common replies were “communication” (15) and “teaching’ (10) – which shows that the respondents either misunderstood the question or the nature of preaching. Other skills frequently mentioned were: social work (18), organisation (11), understanding (11), listening (7). Two young people also indicated that the minister should be a good motorist. If the shoe fits, wear it, brother!

10. HOW WOULD YOU INVOLVE THE YOUTH OF YOUR CHURCH

Top priority was given to participation in youth services (21 replies). Next came Bible studies (17), evangelism (16) and community involvement (15). Only a handful of young people mentioned such customary activities as catechism classes, cadets and Calvinettes. Sunday School teaching was also mentioned.

11. HOW MUCH LEISURE TIME WOULD YOU HAVE AND HOW WOULD YOU SPEND IT?

Here there were some interesting differences in replies between males and females. Average weekly leisure time for male respondents was 24 hours. For females it was 17.2 hours. Spending time with the family either at home or on outings was a leisure activity mentioned by 28 females but by only 17 males. Various sports, however, were mentioned equally by both sexes. Except for house maintenance, other activities received almost no mention.

12. WHAT FORM WOULD YOU EXPECT A CALL TO THE MINISTRY TO TAKE?

“Feeling that doing something for God is right for you.”

“I feel that it would be intrinsic – a voice from within (the Holy Spirit), and that if I didn’t yield to it; it would hound me until I did.”

“Suddenly hitting upon something in the Bible and being so inspired so as to want to take up the ministry.”

You may be relieved to learn that these respondents answered the next question in the negative. Those who answered it affirmatively had obviously given this question much deeper thought:

“Long months of prayer, talk, and thought about it. It must not be a snap decision. Of course, the Lord will have put the thought into your mind in the first place and will guide the end decision.”

Looking at your talents, gifts, and opportunities; being interested in the field; seeing a need in the Church; and being prepared to study.”

It was encouraging to discover that those who said “yes” to question 13 generally had a clear, sensible and Scriptural view of the call to the ministry. Others, however, often gave answers that were vague and confused. Some said they simply did not know the answer. Amidst our present shortage of ministerial manpower, could this not be an area where greater pastoral concern and guidance is called for?

13. HAVE YOU HAD SUCH A CALL? 

Nine answered “yes”. 46 answered “no”. Six were unsure and three gave no reply.

14. HAVE YOU EVER PRAYED ABOUT IT?

30 said “yes” 29 said “no”.

Again it is encouraging to see how many young people are taking these matters seriously. But now, my reader, how would YOU answer the last two questions?

STEPHEN VOORWINDE

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Comments on previous articles:

I wholeheartedly subscribe to the comment of T&S Revisited editor(s) with regard to the book “Things we could not say”. I bought it for myself and have encouraged some of my children and grandchildren to read it and become more a ware of what actually happened in Western Europe in these war years. Family members of my parents’ generation were actively involved in various resistance activities during that time and suffered for it in various ways. (Pieter v.d.W.)

I loved the article written by Allan Quak!  We may not be able to go to church twice on a Sunday to worship and praise God but we can be thankful that we can go at least once and that we are not hampered in our freedom to worship. I think the principles in this article could/should be highlighted in our Church Newsletter so that, hopefully, our congregation would be encouraged again to read why we make time to stop what we’re doing during the week and honour God and be obedient to His Word to keep the Sabbath Day holy…  Why has playing sport (especially) become such a big thing, such a big distraction? Do we realise what we are doing, teaching our children/young people when we allow them to substitute their game to take the place of attending church to worship God? It is pure idolatry! Nothing else! We should be repenting of this sinful attitude. There maybe a time coming that God will say to us, ” You had no time for me on that weekly special day? I don’t know you! Go away from Me…”  (Henriet V.)