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January 2006 |
Younger students begin to populate United Methodist seminaries
By David Parga
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"Young people are interested in radical commitments that will nurture their passions to change the status quo of our society." - Joaquin Garcia |
INDIANAPOLIS - During a recent presentation at Butler University's sesquicentennial celebration in Indianapolis, noted American journalist and author David Halberstam stated he felt encouraged by the trend that a growing number of young adults participate in community service projects. More people 20 to 25 years old volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and other projects than participated 20 years ago. This trend has spread to United Methodist ministry students as well.
According to the Rev. Meg Lassiat, "Not everyone is suited for the ministry, but they can still view their careers as vocations and not just jobs."
Lassiat serves as Director of Student Ministries, Vocation and Enlistment for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry based in Nashville, Tenn. She observes the recruitment of young clergy, by overseeing events aimed at youth and young adults.
To encourage young adults to consider a call to ministry, she leads programs like Exploration for students and young adults ages 18 to 24. Previously, she served as the associate pastor of youth and family ministries at Meridian Street United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, where she led programs to encourage youth to think about ministry.
Now in seminary, Belinda Camery, a Masters of Divinity student at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, came to CTS directly from undergraduate work at Ball State University. She didn't realize she wanted to enter ministry until the middle of her first semester. She felt called to ministry after seeing the positive experiences it had among other seminarians.
"I do see a trend in the younger kids coming to the seminary, bringing the average age (of a seminarian) down," she said. "They all cling together, but as we get more of them, they break off into their own denominations a bit." Even though a Disciples of Christ affiliated school, CTS has students and faculty of more than 40 denominations.
Youth group leaders
Sara Blossom, another young adult student at CTS, was often told as a youth that she had all the earmarks for ministry: Involvement with the church, taking a lead in the youth group, and overall just being a visible presence among the faithful.
Lassiat says, "People who see faith as an integral part of their lives, take leadership roles in their youth groups, and want to give back to the church in a meaningful way. They are often the people most likely to pursue the ministry."
More young adults are finding a place at seminaries both in Indiana and across the country. Nationwide, the average age of seminarians is 38, according to Garret Evangelical Theological Seminary Admissions Director Dr. Joaquin Garcia.
During a telephone interview from Evanston, Ill., he said it appears that while the overall age is dropping, the national trend has a ways to go before it significantly lowers the average age of ministry students. He did observe that the average age now is a few years younger than it was even five years ago.
Millennium generation
Lassiat believes that the millennium generation in general has a thirst for more meaning in their lives than the simple rote of day-to-day life can provide. She says, "They're seeking a return to institutions like the church, unlike the Boomers who were more into protest and rebelling against the establishment. Society moves in swings."
Garcia agrees, saying that "young people are interested in radical commitments that will nurture their passions to change the status quo of our society."
He went on to say the future for the ordained ministry rests with students who want to make a difference. He said, "Many are seeking to understand what it means to be a Christian in the 21st century."
Lassiat concurred, saying "there are many opportunities for everyone to serve the church in some way. Deacons can be social workers, teachers or a host of other vocations. Ministry can be tailored to fit each individual.
"There are many possibilities, if we allow youth to lead how they want to lead," she said.
David Parga recently served as an intern with the Indiana Area United Methodist Communication office in Indianapolis. He graduated from Butler University in December.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008