This weekend was our Spring Confirmation weekend.  On Friday night I met with our 136 confirmands to talk with them about what it means to be a Christ-follower and to invite them to commit their lives to him.  As a part of this retreat each year I invite our young adults to consider a call to consider whether God may be calling them to serve as pastors, youth ministers, missionaries or other church professionals in order to reach their generation for Christ and to work to lead Christ’s mission in the world.

We had almost 40 youth who stood up at the retreat indicating a possible  call on their lives.  In our fall confirmation class there were another 50 or 60 who stood at the invitation.  This represents 90 young adults from this year’s confirmation classes who are considering ordained ministry or full time work in the church or mission field.  I am really excited about this!

I am convinced that the future of the United Methodist Church is largely dependent upon our existing churches inviting bright, gifted young people to answer God’s call to lead the church to reach their generation for Christ.  The 80 largest churches in United Methodism have committed to help 1,000 young adults begin seminary in the next ten years.  At last year’s Leadership Institute the churches in attendance committed to raise up another 500 young adults to begin seminary.  What could God do with 1,500 bright, gifted, committed and passionate young adults?  I believe they could be pivotal in turning the United Methodist Church from decline to a “future with hope.”

I just came from our confirmation service, laying hands on and anointing a number of these confirmands (many of whom I baptized as babies and presented third grade Bibles to – one of the joys of a long tenure in the pastorate).  I look at these kids and I feel great hope for the church.

It’s been my experience that most people hear a call to ministry because someone they respect has suggested that they should consider ministry as a vocation.  Have you suggested to any gifted young people you know that they should consider a call to ordained ministry?  Does your church have a scholarship fund to help pay for seminary tuition?