The January 1980 launch of LEADERSHIP brings back vivid memories. Even though we felt we had done our research homework to create a useful pastoral resource, there were no guarantees of success.
In fact, one highly respected, nationally known Christian leader told me in plain language, “Robbie, the last thing pastors have time to do these days is read another magazine!” He was right, of course, but, with the help of a lot of great contributors, we worked to create more than “another magazine.”
Twenty years later, our readers continue to affirm the value of the original concept—that the journal must be (1) pro pastor, (2) practical, (3) people centered, and (4) fun.
What am I thinking about now? Well, a few days ago, I found myself unusually moved when reading that, somewhere in Sarajevo, Bosnia, a war-wracked place, a baby had been born that raised the global population to 6 billion. That’s twice as many people as were alive in 1960. As I pondered this, I realized my pastoral instincts were on alert in two different, opposite ways.
First, I had a sense of being overwhelmed, a sensation common to pastors. Twice as many people, even if most of them live in some distant land, far from my parish, boggles my attempts at comprehension. Does this mean twice as much pain, twice as many hungry children, twice as much pollution, twice as much sin, twice as many unsolvable problems?
On a personal, pastoral level, does this mean twice as much responsibility, twice as much travail, twice as much work?
The Master’s mandate doesn’t say or imply that we must work more, or harder, but rather pray more
But then I found myself thinking even more about a second sensation. Doesn’t this mean twice as much opportunity? Twice as much outreach! Could it be, at this moment in time, that I’m privileged beyond belief as compared to pastor/mentors of 30 years ago, godly persons who had half the ministry opportunities I now have?
In The Message, Eugene Peterson translates Luke 10:1-2 this way: “Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge: ‘What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees, ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.'”
In light of the Sarajevo birth, would it be appropriate to ask, “Has a huge harvest become a twice-as-big harvest?” Does the Master’s mandate require a twice-as-big response?
I suspect so, and there’s every reason to believe that this harvest is remarkably ripe.
Recently I read Emerging Trends, a newsletter published by Princeton Religion Research Center (affiliated with Gallup International), which stated that “a remarkable two in three teens (67%) say they feel the need in their lives to experience spiritual growth.” An interesting statistic in the midst of an unprecedented amount of teenage violence, like the tragedy at Columbine High School.
It goes on to report that “an even higher percentage (82%) of adults, 18 and older, express the desire to experience spiritual growth in their lives … a sharp increase over 1994 when the percentage was 58%”—fascinating, in light of all the talk about today’s moral deterioration.
What might all this mean?
First, in my opinion, there has never been a time in church history when the call to pastor was more relevant and more necessary. Pastors remain the spiritual vanguard for the Kingdom of God. There is no higher calling.
Second, as Luke 10 states, the harvest hands are few, and in many areas the number is shrinking. “Make disciples of all nations” has never been a more urgent challenge.
Third, the Master’s mandate doesn’t say or imply that we must work more, or harder, but rather pray more—perhaps twice as much—that the Lord of the harvest will raise up harvest hands.
This is a mandate pastors should grasp better than anyone else, a mandate we must embrace. Pastors fervently praying for more pastors. Pastors seeking out potential pastors, engaging potential pastors, encouraging potential pastors, discipling potential pastors, assisting potential pastors. Think of the exponential possibilities!
Hopefully, I’ll still be around when LEADERSHIP reaches its 25th anniversary. Wouldn’t it be great to gather around our pages once again and celebrate the answers to your prayers and mine about the twice-as-many harvest hands in the ripe fields of ministry opportunity? Together, let’s pray.
Paul Robbins is chief operating officer of Christianity Today International. 465 Gundersen Dr. Carol Stream IL 60188
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