One of the highlights of the first half of my year as state convention president has been meeting with pastors under 40 years of age across South Carolina. I have met with groups ranging in size from three to 40, as well as having one-on-one conversations over lunch, by telephone, and e-mail. These young pastors are a diverse group – they entered ministry from a variety of backgrounds, represent churches of various sizes and styles, and have different ideas about ministry methodology. Most of the differences I have observed are healthy and create a positive diversity that will make South Carolina Baptists stronger and more effective in reaching our increasingly diverse state population with the gospel. In spite of their differences, I have noticed some impressive common qualities in many of these young leaders.
Fred StoneThe first quality that stands out to me is their theological soundness and sharpness. They know what they believe and why they believe it. They are fully committed to the authority of Scripture and are passionate about the gospel – not simply preaching evangelistic sermons but living and teaching a gospel-centered life. Many of these pastors are striving to lead their churches to be both theologically sound and culturally relevant. I am thankful for this new generation of pastor-theologians who desire to be God-centered, gospel-focused, and Great Commission-driven.
The second quality that impresses me is their commitment to the local church. These young pastors realize that Jesus established the church and that Scripture reserves such lofty titles as “body of Christ” and “bride of Christ” exclusively for the church. As a result, they are investing their lives in the local church – teaching, leading, and shepherding their congregations to the glory of God and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. I am impressed with how this younger generation of pastors was already committed to the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force report’s call to “affirm the primacy and centrality of the local church in the life of the Southern Baptist Convention.” They were already convinced of the truth stated in the report: “All of our Baptist work beyond the local church must exist solely to serve the local church in this mission. This is true for every Baptist association, state convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention. None of these exists for itself – all exist for the churches.”
A third quality that I see in many young pastors is a commitment to cooperation. While their priority commitment is to the church, they have expressed a desire to cooperate with other churches that are biblically sound and committed to the Great Commission. They know the value of churches working together in denominational structures for the right goals. They also realize that conventions can be a resource to help the local church. Today’s young pastors do not limit themselves to cooperating only with Baptists. They see the value of cooperation with a variety of biblically sound and like-minded networks and organizations.
To be honest, I was surprised at the overall positive support I found for the Cooperative Program among young pastors. What they stressed, however, was not blind support to a cooperative “Program,” but intentional support to a “Cooperative” program of Great Commission missions and ministries. They most often define Great Commission missions and ministries in terms of international missions, church planting, and seminary education. It was stated on numerous occasions that the Cooperative Program should not be used to fund an oversized bureaucracy on both state and national levels. In addition, there is a strong desire among young pastors to eliminate denominational ministries that Scripture reveals are the responsibility of local churches.
The final quality that I want to highlight is the humility and teachable spirit I found in many young pastors. One word that came up often, especially in one-on-one conversations, was the word “mentoring.” Young pastors have a desire to be mentored by more experienced pastors. They want to have a relationship with a seasoned pastor in which they can ask questions about practical issues. They want someone they know and trust to call on for counsel as they deal with crisis situations in their churches. One way to express what I heard is that many young pastors would appreciate having an older brother or father in ministry.
The fact that so many young pastors desire a mentor, but do not have one, was the most surprising thing I learned in these conversations. It made me realize how fortunate I have been to have had several pastors who invested themselves in me at various stages of my ministry. Bob Shrum deserves a medal for so patiently listening to my ramblings and counseling me as I worked through my call to ministry. Ron Fousek and Ralph Carter Sr. were great models and teachers as my first two pastor-bosses when I served on their staffs at the beginning of my ministry. Later on, the Lord brought Don Chasteen and Ralph Carter Jr. into my life as valuable mentors and friends. I point this out to publicly thank these men for investing in my life, and also to challenge both veteran and young pastors to make an effort to develop mentoring relationships.
I want to challenge you young pastors to make an effort to get to know veteran pastors. Show interest in developing a relationship. Let a more experienced pastor know that you would like to spend time with him and learn from him. I also challenge you to get more involved in Southern Baptist life. You have much to contribute to the kingdom of God, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Bring your theological insights, practical ministry ideas, and passion for the glory of God to convention life. Keep in mind that change has already begun. The SBC overwhelmingly adopted the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force’s recommendations. Join the process of working with others in a Spirit-led, biblically sound way to implement these recommendations. Help South Carolina Baptists move forward as a convention of churches that are committed to being more intentional about fulfilling the Great Commission.
I also want to challenge you veteran pastors to get to know younger pastors in your area. Many of them are hungry for fellowship with a more experienced pastor who can advise and encourage them. As you get to know them, you will find your relationship to be reciprocal. They have much to give if you will inquire and listen. In time, you will find a special relationship developing with a few young men that will greatly enrich both your life and theirs. This is one way your influence and ministry will continue long after you are gone. That’s how the apostle Paul invested himself in Timothy. Their relationship is a great example of effective mentoring. I also encourage you to include young pastors in all aspects of convention life. God is raising up a very gifted generation that he is going to use somewhere in his kingdom. Let’s demonstrate to God and these young pastors that we want him to use them in the Southern Baptist part of the kingdom, including the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
– Stone is pastor of Pickens First Baptist Church and president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.