The
Young Clergy
Initiative
Theological Framework
Theological Framework
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
people who are God’s own possession. You have become this
people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one
who called you out of darkness into his amazing light.
Theological Framework
Ephesians 4:1-16
…live as people worthy of the call you received from
God. … You are one body and one spirit, just as God also
called you in one hope. … His purpose was to equip
God’s people for the work of serving and building up the
body of Christ until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge
of God’s Son. … The whole body grows from him, as it is joined
and held together by all the supporting ligaments. The
body makes itself grow in that it builds itself up with love as
each one does their part.
Theological Framework
Who is called into ministry?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Only you
Only Myron
Everyone but “that guy”
Everyone
Pop Quiz
Where do we hear God’s call?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Only at UMYF
Only at seminary
Only at Annual Conf.
Any place God chooses to move
What are faithful responses to
God’s call?
Why is God calling us at all?
a) Only that
b) “What do you mean, ‘You’ll
probably be broke?’”
c) “Let me get back to you.”
d) Anything that honors God
When is God’s call spoken?
When is God’s call heard?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Only during prayer
Only during GOOD sermons
After we’ve experienced enough
Anytime
a) God felt the need to delegate
b) God wants to force introverts to
work in small groups
c) The work of the Body and the
effectiveness of the Kingdom
requires all members to function
Theological Framework
Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
When the angel said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with
you!” Mary was confused and wondered what kind of greeting
this might be. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is
honoring you.” … Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it
be with me just as you have said.”
An unprepared youth/young adult called unexpectedly into a life
of service to God.
Theological Framework
Samuel (1 Sam 3:1-10)
The Lord called to Samuel. Samuel said, “I’m here.” He hurried to
Eli and said, “I’m here. You called me?” Eli replied. “I didn’t call
you. Go Lie down.” So he did. Then Eli realized that it was the
Lord who was calling the boy. So Eli said to Samuel, “Go and lie
down. If he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.’”
So Samuel went and lay down. Then the Lord called just as
before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel said, “Speak. Your servant is
listening.”
A young adult whose call was affirmed during an internship with
an effective mentor.
Theological Framework
Timothy (1 Tim 4:6-16)
[from Paul to Timothy]
If you point these things out to believers, you’ll be a good
servant of Christ. … Train yourself for a holy life. … Command
these things. Teach them. Don’t let anyone look down on you
because you are young. Instead, be an example for believers. …
Pay attention to public reading, preaching, and teaching. Don’t
neglect your spiritual gifts. … If you do this, you will save your
self and those who hear you.
A youth/young adult lay person who has been guided into the
clergy, affirmed and mentored well.
Theological Framework
Who made these discerning
experiences successful?
a) Heavenly messenger from God
b) Field education/internship
supervisor
c) Clergy mentor
d) An assigned clergy mentor who
never initiates contact
What were some
characteristics of these
experiences?
a)
Assured of God’s presence in their
call
b) Space is established to allow God
to work
c) Best practices for ministry are
shared
d) Call wasn’t considered valid until
inspected and approved by a
denominational committee
Pop Quiz
Where can we bring these
characteristics to life in our
discernment of call with
others?
a) Vacation Bible School
b) Youth/Young Adult ministry
settings
c) Outreach experiences
d) No where - because it’s too much
work to do something new
Legislation
Legislation
There shall be a Young Clergy Initiative Fund which provides support
to increase the number of young clergy among the jurisdictional
conferences. This begins a three-quadrennium effort to enable The
UMC to focus efforts on encouraging young adults who wish to
respond to the call to ordained ministry to receive a strong
theological education in the United Methodist tradition in
preparation for ordination. This initiative is in addition to the funds
that the church already has budgeted for discernment, recruitment,
nurturing, education, and support of young clergy leaders.
The agencies, in collaboration with Boards of Ordained Ministry,
seminaries, bishops, and cabinets will determine the most effective
use of the Young Clergy Initiative Fund in response to the need for
young clergy leaders to reach their own generation and those
younger generations. With measured success, it is hoped that the
next General Conference will increase this investment.
GBHEM will administer this designated fund.
Hoped For Outcomes
Hoped For Outcomes
How will the church be different?
• Local ministries
• Annual Conference
• General Church
Hoped For Outcomes
Short Term Strategies
Discovery Process (2012-2015)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Assess current resources
Form partnerships
Survey roadblocks
Collect and Share best practices
Create pilot programs
Assess the need to create new legislation
What We’ve Learned So Far
What We’ve Learned So Far
18% of all candidates are under 30 years old*
Under 30
Years Old
* between enrolled status & certified status
What We’ve Learned So Far
Of those under age 30, 13.5% are racial/ethnic candidates
Minorities
What We’ve Learned So Far
66% of undergrads who borrow,
owe an average of $25,250 in loans
Undergrads
with average
debt of $25,250
What We’ve Learned So Far
49% of ACs have NO young clergy recruitment program
ACs with NO YC
recruitment
Program
What We’ve Learned So Far
BOM Training in Dallas, TX 2012
Greatest
Problems facing
Young Clergy
Greatest
Supports for
Young Clergy
Seminary Expenses/Debt
Itinerancy
Mentoring
Retreats
What We’ve Learned So Far
Lilly Endowment
Sustaining Pastoral Excellence
•
•
•
•
•
Flourishing Christian Life
Collegial/Communal
Embodied/Holistic
Balance of agency & accountability
Resourced
–
–
–
–
–
Theologically
Connectional
Retreat centers
Seminaries
etc. …
What We’ve Learned So Far
Young Clergy Summit Findings
Key Points identified for intervention
•
•
•
•
•
Education
Nurture
Discernment
Recruitment
Support
Questions
Table Conversations
Table Conversations
Rules for Engagement
•
•
•
•
Select a topic and find the table for that topic
5 directors max per table
GBHEM staff will take notes
Highlights of the conversations will scroll on the screen tomorrow
morning
Table Conversations
Discussion Questions
Theological Framework
• Why does the church need more young clergy?
• What problem will increasing the number of young clergy in the denomination
fix?
• Is this the right fix (YCI) for the right problem (as determined in the above
question)?
• What are appropriate outcomes for the YCI based on these assumptions?
Consultation Partners
• As we develop a strategy for each area, who are the groups/persons that are
leading the way?
• Who should GBHEM be aware of as possible consultation partners in this
particular area?
Interventions
• If we were to suspend all the rules, what could we do to intervene in this
situation?
• What changes would have the most impact in changing the system for the better?
• How would you rebuild the system so that is serves the outcomes we are hoping
to accomplish?
– (i.e. The candidacy/ordination process – think about rebuilding it from scratch
– what could that look like)
Table Conversations