1 March 2001 Editorial:
Wanted: Conservative Adventist Pastors

Pr. Larry Kirkpatrick

All the time. "Pastor Larry, how often do you get feelers/calls/people wanting to know where there is a good conservative SDA pastor to serve their district?" And the answer is, "all the time."

We thought you might be interested in knowing that. We know that you are out there. While we are unable to know exactly who visits the website, we are able to know that we receive a constant stream of visitors from a multitude of conference and GC computers all around the planet. We know that visitors from atlanticuc.edu, ucollege.edu, southern.edu, puc.edu, swau.edu, wwc.edu, lasierra.edu, llu.edu, newbold.ac.uk, hbc.ac.za, cuc.edu, rtt.ab.ca, andrews.edu, as well many other SDA colleges and universities overseas stop by the website very regularly (please don't be offended if we've left you out. We see you on the logs and we know you're there!). And we know from your e-mails that some of you are Adventist young people either studying for the ministry or considering doing so. And you may have wondered if all that labor and all of the pain and yes, the trash sifted through in that process will be worth it. You are wondering if there will be a place for you when you finish. You, as I had, may be wondering whether your own church will be willing to employ you as a pastor one day when the debts are piled high and you finish that BA.

I can't guarantee you anything. But I can tell you this. I really, really think there will be a place for you.

Many have sidestepped the standard preparation process of becoming a minister today. I almost did myself. There are numerous potential pitfalls along the pathway. Nor are there guarantees, there really aren't. But there's this fact: many of our conference presidents and ministerial directors are looking out for young people of principle. They have churches which are calling for sound young men, fire-breathing advocates of old-line Adventism. The fields have not always been white to harvest. There is scarcity. Your "chances" are better than you have probably realized.

Of course, chance really has little part in the process. God still calls. Are you being called?

Along the journey you'll receive few accolades. Generally you won't be favored, or receive any extra boosts. You'll face the challenge of being principled about music and every other issue you'll be confronted with. You'll often sit in the classroom listening to the lecture and saying "What?!!! I can't believe I'm hearing this!" You'll be placed into dangerous contact. It is not for everyone. In fact, it may be that at this point, it is for but a select few. But just in case you are one, let me continue.

You'll find yourself in the classroom, desiring to grow in knowledge of Scripture and truth, wishing to serve in the pastoral ministry. Your professors will be by and large very persuasive people; gifted, charismatic leaders who've been in the field and have precious stories of God's guidance, pastoral crises, clever escapes, divine solutions, various tumultuous times they've faced in the church. More, you'll hear them teach you Greek and Hebrew, open difficult passages, surprise you by things you haven't noticed in Scripture before. There will be an abundance of Spirit of Prophecy quotations. You'll counsel with them at personal crisis points, etc. They'll be sincere, the best that you can tell, well-meaning. Some of them will be truly God-sent. Some will be islands of truth in the midst of whole departments ripe with theological confusion and departure from the right. Some will be Satanic decoys. Now here's the hairy part . . .

You'll have to be able to sort it all out yourself. With God's help.

But--don't forget--God has provided you help. No ministerial student in any age, has had as much prophetic insight available to them to help them go through the sifting process. And you will be tried. But when you complete your course, you'll be positioned to do a work for God that He is most desirous of seeing accomplished at this time.

If you go, you'll find many all around you who haven't got a clue as to what Adventism is. You'll see our precious young people lapping-up some very strange things as if it were truth--as if it were Adventism. But because you've studying, you've grounded yourself, you'll know. You'll know.

You'll know how desperately you are needed in the work.

This would not be an ideal time to go into debt. Let your debt be minimal. Nor should you fail to recognize that there are other options for ministry and for preparation for ministry. Hartland Institute and others are doing a fine work. I know good men who've gone through Hartland and are now in the pastoral ministry. Weigh your options carefully. But consider also the "standard" track.

Whatever course you take, make your decision now never, never, NEVER, to compromise principle. Learn to choose your battles wisely. But make sure you choose some battles. If you won't do battle when you are vulnerable because the risks seem over-great, then when will you?

Dear reader, the people are not looking for quiet diplomats. Some may be, but what God is looking for are Carpenter's tools--blades He can sharpen, rough edges and blades that He can prepare for the use of His hand. He is looking for those who will learn to serve and not bend, never bend, though the heavens fall. He is looking for fiery preachers, well rounded, capable, tried, evangelistic. If you are willing to let our Father make you the living enfleshment of the third angel's message, then He will have a place for you. When the heroes are few and the spiritual casualties are going down into eternal destruction, He will have a place for you. But count the cost. You may one day have to sacrifice more than ever you've realized.

What, I am asked, if Jesus should come while you are still in college? I want to tell you, for a century Adventists who have prepared for ministry have weighed this same question. Don't worry. Be ready. God will show you what to do if this is what comes down. He will not abandon you. If you are faithful to Him, then He will use you in His work of bringing about the last revival of primitive godliness among the people of the Lord. No work is higher than this. None is more special, or more privileged. But count the cost in preparation. If you are not well grounded, then get well grounded. Then go. His people are waiting for you. If but a fraction of the e-mail I receive is true, then there are scattered sheep on many hills needing true shepherds. But God has promised to provide them. Be a part His answer to those prayers.

This is a column I've been wanting to write for a long time. I'm glad now that I've done so. Take courage. If you have some real grounding in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy; if you've sensed God's call, then stand ready. If you are in preparation now, then don't give up. Be wise. Be thoughtful. Do the work. Get through. And then come into the work and change the world at the end of time.

With God's help, this may be His pathway for you.