Orlando Saer explains why there may be a new dawn for gospel workers.
When American newspapers announced the passing away of Mark Twain, the Associated Press were shocked and embarrassed to receive a transatlantic cable bearing what would become famous words: ‘The report of my death was an exaggeration’.
Census data gives persistently dire forecasts for the decline of churches within the established denominations. And prominent within this gloomy picture is the steady decrease in the number of ministers coming forward for training. This has led some commentators to predict the extinction of any significant Christian presence in the UK by as early as 2050.
But if the recent 9:38 Apprentice Conference is any guide, a message may have to be communicated to the effect that such predictions are – like the overhasty announcement of Mark Twain’s death – something of ‘an exaggeration’. Indeed, if anything, a bystander might reasonably have concluded that something of a new dawn for Christian ministry in this country was in the offing.
This year’s conference, held in January at Hothorpe Hall in Leicestershire, was the biggest yet of the annual apprentice conferences from over the last five years held by 9:38. In all, 108 apprentices attended, representing 48 churches across Britain. These young men and women are in the main enjoying an opportunity to learn about Christian ministry ‘on the job’ in their churches, under the supervision of a more experienced minister. Many combine their apprenticeships with ministry training at Cornhill or one of the regional ministry training courses that have grown up around the country in recent years.
The programme was busy and featured a combination of sharply applied ‘Expositions for Apprentices’ from Luke’s gospel, given by Richard Coekin of the Co-Mission initiative, and some helpful practical introductions to various aspects of evangelism. These included sessions given by a range of speakers on motivations to evangelism, personal evangelism, evangelistic courses, and evangelistic events.
As a supplement to the ongoing, year-round training of the apprentices, each one is given the opportunity during the course of the conference to present – in summary form – a text-based evangelistic talk in the context of a small group. These are gently honed by experienced leaders to the point where they may be ready for use in an appropriate forum. Year after year, apprentices express how useful this exercise is – and this year was no exception.
For the Christian onlooker, there is something exhilarating about spending time at one of these apprentices’ conferences. One is surrounded on every side by young (well, mostly young) people who are seriously contemplating a career of full-time gospel ministry. It is a great encouragement and certainly an effective antidote to the gloomy pessimism about the future of the gospel in Britain. The ethos is very clear: there is a nation to reach; so how can each of us – given our particular circumstances and gifts – work to secure that aim to the glory of Jesus?
Orlando Saer
Minister of Cranleigh Baptist Church, Surrey