Ministerial students want to serve God, but not necessarily in local church
DALLAS -- College students who feel called to work in ministry want to make a difference for God’s kingdom. But a significant number don’t believe the local church is the place to do it, according to guidance directors for ministerial students at some Baptist schools.
Many students know little about their denomination, but they know firsthand about forced termination of church staff, conflict within congregations and a perceived lack of respect for church leaders, said Micheal Summers, director of church services at Wayland Baptist University. “I see a high level of disillusionment with the local church among students.”
At the graduate level, the desire to avoid the conflict that comes with accepting a pastoral role seems to be steering a growing number of students into other staff positions, as well as to institutional ministry roles such as chaplains, said Daniel Bagby, professor of pastoral...
