The Call and the Commission

What does it mean to be equipped for ministry? The contributors to this provocative volume maintain that unless churches radically rethink their answers to this question they will fail to adequately train the next generation of leaders to serve God's purposes. Too often bright-eyed young 'candidates' are thrown torrents of paperwork, examinations, courses, interviews, assessments, and 40- year plans before being deemed fit to minister. Many feel a call to serve God but can't commit to the required hoop-jumping which is, in some instances, outdated and unbiblical. The Call and the Commission draws together pastors, scholars, theological educators, and youth workers in seeking to answer the question of how we can better train the next generation of church leadership. The church today needs young leaders more than ever before. But rather than trying to make them fit the models of a previous age, the church needs to listen to the call given to each individual. Only by doing so can we fulfil our collective commission.