YOUNG men are wanted." 1 As the climax of the final controversy approaches; as we appraise the vast fields of evangelistic opportunity; as we ask, "Who is sufficient for these things?"—God replies, "Young men are wanted"!
Today, as in apostolic times, the minister is called to place his hand on the shoulder of youth seeking God's will in service, saying, "This charge I commit to you . . . , my son."
There is joy in seeing souls won in response to our evangelistic preaching. There is a blessing in seeing members mature in the faith through our pastoral ministry. However, to be used to guide a boy into a life of ministry for God should be among the highest ambitions in each preacher's career. Three spheres are suggested as areas of influence in guiding youth toward a receptive attitude to God's call to preach: the minister's home, the church, and the school.
Does my son want to be a minister? If not, why not? In my obligation to make the ministry attractive, did my son see it at home? Did he from earliest years share my wonder that God should favor a man to be His channel of grace? "But," one replies, "is it fair to influence my son in his choice of careers?" The answer is most obvious. We should desire for our son the very highest opportunity in life. He has been dedicated to God from birth. The minister's "first duty is to his children." It is for us, like David, to earnestly prepare our sons for vital places in God's work, saying: "And thou . . . , my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind." Certainly career decisions should not be forced; but from what better source should the church expect to find its preachers of tomorrow than in the homes of the ministers of today? Let us covet the highest service, the greatest sacrifice, for our sons. "Parents, help your children to fulfill God's purpose for them." ' (Italics supplied.)
Influencing Youth
Within the church program the preacher has opportunity unlimited to influence children and youth toward Christian service. And God will surely put it in his heart to speak right words of direction to children in the homes of his members. Instead of asking Johnny, "What would you like to be?" could not the pastor inquire, "Johnny, wouldn't you like to be a preacher someday?" Now, in such a question to a child you are in reality saying to him, "Don't you think I am the happiest, friendliest person you have known? Do not my stories interest you and my smiles warm your heart? Wouldn't you like to be a minister too?" To the boy, the ministry is you. Do such slight, conversational influences actually result in directing a boy's mind to God's call to the ministry? Do we remember the wonder, perhaps amazed unbelief, we first felt when someone ventured to suggest (in some cases, dared to say!) "You should be a minister"?
My first summer in the ministry included working as a counselor at several junior camps. One boy of about ten comes to mind who showed an unusual spiritual sensitivity. On an afternoon hike we stopped a few minutes together and I asked, "Wouldn't you like to be a minister? Perhaps someday we could work for God together." The boy smiled, saying he thought he would Like that. Years later when I was visiting on a college campus a tall young man reached out his hand to greet me. "Here I am," he said. "I made my decision at junior camp." (Strangely, in God's providence, that boy and I have had an opportunity of association in missionary service.)
Church schools and academies are rich mines holding jewels to be discovered, cut, and polished for ministerial service. Speaking to a wealthy father of several children, someone recently observed, "You have given so generously to God's cause, surely you would also be willing to give one of your fine sons!" His two boys who were listening smiled, and the father spoke a few words encouraging the thoughts of his younger boy of about fourteen toward Christian service. The brothers were enrolled in a boarding academy. In a recent Week of Prayer in that academy, in response to an invitation for those interested in becoming ministers to attend a special meeting to discuss such work, that younger boy was there! So were several others to whom during the Week of Prayer it had been suggested, "You should think about being a minister."
Recruit in Academy
It is now recognized that recruiting young men for the ministry should begin in church schools and academies. As this article is written, Pacific Union College Preparatory School is being visited specifically for such a purpose by a representative of the General Conference Ministerial Association, Pastor Andrew Fearing. The home, your home, the church, your church, and the school, your school, await your witness that "the highest of all work is ministry in its various lines, and it should be kept before the youth that there is no work more blessed of God than that of the gospel minister."
At last in God's kingdom the busy Bible teacher, evangelist, pastor, or administrator may well discover that time spent in inspiring boys to become preachers has been the most productive soul-winning venture of his career.
Notes:
1 Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 517.
2 1 Timothy 1:18 (R.S.V.).
3 The Adventist Home, p. 353. NOTE: The writer does not, however, imply failure in home influence should the minister's children find God's leading into other areas of Christian service.
4 1 Chronicles 28:9.
5 Messages to Young People, p. 225. Nom: Girls, too, are wanted with a sense of call to the ministry. The daughter of a dedicated worker saw in her father an appealing example of the ideal minister and declared, "If a girl can't be a minister, I can become a minister's wife." She is today!
6 Ibid., p. 224.
