An Urgent Appeal To My Brother Pastors

After much reflection and contemplation, I have spent the last several months engaging in what one might call "equine dialogues" with my donkeys, who have patiently borne the brunt of my musings. It may not astonish you that these creatures, sharing the moniker with me, have become my greatest confidants. Their silent counsel has been invaluable, guiding me to the clarity necessary for this urgent appeal to you, my colleagues: we need to mentor men in our church and make it one of our highest priorities, or else.

Consider the implications: two years ago, I conducted a statistical analysis using data from ACGC, revealing that our denomination's clergy are, on average, ten years older than the median age of other Protestant pastors. To put this into perspective, Southern Baptist Convention pastors’ median age is 55, which prompts concern within their ranks. If our median age were similarly 55, we would celebrate this as a mark of youthful vigor. As Vice President of the Eastern Region Association and a subcontractor for the Ministry Training Institute, I am acutely aware of how this leadership gap profoundly affects our local congregations.

The repercussions of this age disparity will touch all of us, but the churches unable to support a full-time pastor bear the initial and most severe brunt. At best, these congregations might find a retired pastor willing to serve in a role akin to a hospice chaplain, providing essential services like weekly sermons and member visits—actions we should celebrate with heartfelt gratitude. However, without nurturing a new generation of spiritual leaders, we edge ever closer to an inevitable decline, standing precariously at the cliff's edge, with each moment bringing us closer to the ground below.

Do We Believe Jesus?

“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest”” (Matt. 9:37-38, ESV). 

He begins by noting that the spiritual harvest is abundant, though it includes both those who are ready to be harvested and those who are not. Our task is clear: we are to go out and reap. We cannot accomplish this alone, hence we require help from other workers. These workers encompass all Christians, not solely pastors but it does include more pastors for whom we should earnestly pray to the Lord to send forth.

Jesus promised to make his first disciples “fishers of men.” This is the legacy we’ve inherited. Just as we are shepherds of God’s people, we are fishermen. Our communities are fully stocked ponds, and there aren’t enough fishermen to catch them all. Like Jesus, we as pastors should:

(1) identify potential co-laborers to mentor, teach them (2) Christ, (3) to fish, and (4) to shepherd.

(1) Identify Potential Co-Laborers to Mentor

If a pastor truly knows his congregation and is actively discipling people, this job should be a breeze. Jesus promised to raise up leaders—He even told you to pray for those workers. So, here’s how to spot potential leaders to mentor:

First, who’s hungry to grow spiritually in your church? Second, are you already discipling someone? Third, who shows the traits listed in 1 Timothy and Titus? Fourth, who do others naturally follow?

Here’s a quick way to test if someone’s worth your time: give them a task or a book to read, then see how fast they get back to you. Did they finish it? Were they excited about it? If they didn’t, why not? My rule is simple: I don’t waste my time teaching effort. You either have it or you don’t. I’ll bend over backwards to help anyone who tries, but they’ve got to bring the effort.

(2) Teach Them Christ

Nothing matters more than teaching someone about Christ, and as a church leader, nothing’s more critical to know. You can do this in different ways: read Scripture together, give them a Christology book, or point them to solid podcasts and lectures. But you MUST demonstrate how believing in Jesus leads to following Jesus.

Teaching Christ isn’t just about correct theology, though it isn’t less than that. It’s about growing into his righteousness and living like him. Share your life with a mentee, show them how you follow Christ and how the Gospel shapes your life.

(3) Team Them To Fish

Jesus looked at His first few followers and said with a spark of promise, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19, ESV). If you’re walking with Jesus, one thrilling outcome is learning to fish—sharing the Gospel with those who haven’t yet met Him.

(4) Teach Them To Shepherd

When Jesus is restoring Peter after denying the Lord thrice, what does he tell the Apostle to do? That interaction goes like this: 

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. –John 21:15-17, ESV

Our Lord devoted three years to mentoring the three, the twelve, and the seventy-two—patiently teaching, training, sending them out, and wrapping them in comfort. What a beautiful example! You, too, can guide others to tenderly feed and care for God’s sheep. As pastors, we share the joyful task of spotting, discipling, and equipping fellow shepherds. Imagine how wonderfully the flock will thrive with a team of devoted shepherds in your congregation!

What’s Next?

That depends on a few things. Do you have what it takes to train and equip the leaders you’ve identified? I once attended a church where pastors mentored potential leaders for a year before sending them to Bible College or Seminary. Some churches can fully train leaders in-house, but many don’t know where to start.

Now, think about the best options for your future church leaders. Biblical and theological education is essential for their long-term success. You’re a Doctor of Souls, shouldn’t your preparation outmatch a Doctor of Medicine? One solid option is the Ministry Training Institute.You can find out how we equip leaders for the church, through the church, and in the local church at mtiprogram.com.