OK…forget for a moment that Dr. Chuck Lawless is ultimately the man who will grant me my PhD one day from Southern’s Graham School. Forget that he is brilliant and very engaging on just about every topic a seminarian would care to talk about. Forget for a moment that he is author of many successful books on various spiritual topics.
Forget for a moment that he grades my papers… J
The other day he posted a challenging open letter to all young leaders here on his blog. I believe that he is spot-on with what he says here and challenge you to check it out.
Young leaders, of which I currently still consider myself (I am 33 and have pastored for over 12 years) are at a critical juncture in SBC life. We have been leaving in droves for the last decade and we have even raised our voices in protest until we have been heard in SBC life. Now we are being heard, and I ask “how will we respond?”
I would really like to know for sure why we are losing so many young leaders. I understand that many who are still in SB life are those who have grown up SB and have SB connections. I think this is the bulk of our current “young leadership.” I know that every seminary prof and mega-church pastor has their “entourage” of young guys who will sail through the ranks, and there are always the sons and sons-in law of those in high positions, but by and large, younger “non-connected” pastors are pursuing other alternatives outside the SBC. I know a lot of the guys who are “connected” and they are great guys who really love Jesus passionately, but the SBC really needs to connect with a wider circle of young leaders if we hope to flourish in the coming years. I respect those who choose to walk away and understand their reasons. I still fellowship with many of these guys and appreciate their ministry. I’m just not there yet…
So what is the reason young guys are leaving, and what is the solution to keeping our young leaders? I think these are questions worth asking and finding answers for today. I suspect that I know lots of the reasons already, but would like to hear from others on this issue.
I believe that what we have in SB life is worth fighting to keep. Read the challenge and prayerfully consider the words of a wise man. The ball is in our court..
