by Jon Konnerup
Last month I began a series on why it seems fewer of the younger generation are surrendering to full-time ministry. The task is not finished and the need for the world to hear the gospel has not diminished. Following are some additional reasons I believe fewer people are surrendering to serve as missionaries.
4. The family. It seems today’s youth are more likely to stay closer to home. I have met people who wanted to leave home to pursue an education and begin a life of service to God but their parents would not allow it, strongly opposing the idea of their children serving as missionaries — wanting them to obtain an “education,” get a “real” job, and live the American dream. We dedicate our babies to the Lord, but when it comes time for them to follow God, maybe to Africa, many parents discourage it. Others think raising children on the field and being away from family for extended amounts of time are significant obstacles and never go.
5. Pluralism. No one likes to be told what they believe is wrong — especially today when many believe all roads lead to heaven. Some find it hard to preach Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life, and try to avoid the hassles and arguments resulting in less of a desire to share the truth not only here but also around the world.
6. Missions awareness. While this is generally not true of Baptist Bible Fellowship churches, many young people are not challenged to consider service as a missionary. Our youth camps should encourage young people to go into the ministry. Watch how many high school graduates are going to Bible college compared to the number enrolling in secular colleges. If they are not informed, they will not be influenced to serve God. A major key to our future missionary force is our youth pastors.
7. Missions theology. Even though many have grown up in church, it might be true that most have never been exposed to nor do they understand the missions theme of redemption that is woven into God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation. The paradigm shifts of some of the newer mission philosophies steer away from sending out career missionaries. I am certainly glad the early churches did not do that with the Apostle Paul. We need more to surrender to go in order to evangelize, disciple, and plant churches — fulfilling the Great Commission.
I will continue this series in the following months. In the meantime, let us all do what we can to strengthen our potential force of missionaries sent from our churches to answer the Great Commission for our Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ.