In Depth:  James Lee

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Where are the young ministers?

James Lee

Occasionally I am roughly accosted. Not by the police, but by ministers of many years. ‘Where are the young ministers to lead the churches?’ As if I had personally kidnapped them? However the facts cannot be avoided: 3.1% of Baptist ministers are aged between 23 and 34 years. In the Church of England only 2% of licensed readers are under 40.1 If I am not personally responsible, then what or who is?

Could it be the younger generations letting the side down? If only we would get off Facebook and pursue the ‘things of God’! Sunday jobs while in education and career dreams driven by salaries — we make the Book of Judges look like a walk in the Garden of Eden.