Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

First Person: Practical ways to equip the next generation of ministers

  • November 3, 2022
  • Arkansas Baptist News
  • Arkansas, Church Life, Featured, First Person, Latest News
(Photo courtesy of Arkansas Baptist News)

First Person: Practical ways to equip the next generation of ministers

Phillip Slaughter

We desperately need to equip more ministers if we want to replace the countless number currently retiring or leaving the ministry for a myriad of other reasons.

Even if this exodus was not occurring, we would need more leaders simply to keep up with population growth and to pursue our biblical goal of reaching the nations for Christ. I have the privilege of being friends with many young people who are called to ministry and others who were recently called later in life. I find great joy in walking with them during these early days of their calling.

Here are some practical ways to help equip new ministers:

  1. Invite them to respond to God’s call to ministry leadership. We have many people sitting in our pews who are simply waiting for the invitation to come work alongside other ministers to learn how to help lead the church.
  2. Intentionally mentor. Fifteen years ago, I was sitting in a room full of pastors and we were discussing discipleship and the importance of having a mentor. I was the only one in the room who had a mentor when he was younger. I thank God regularly for providing men like Jeff Noble and Brandon Massey who took me under their wings and not only taught me what it meant to be a follower of Jesus but also taught me how to minister to others.
  3. Live life with them. The best way to learn how to make a hospital visit, share the Gospel, learn how to parent, host church members, and the thousands of other responsibilities ministers have is to watch someone else do it. Invite them to join you in everyday tasks.
  4. Give opportunities to serve. Teach them how to prepare a sermon and give them a place to deliver it. Let them teach Sunday School, visit the nursing home, or help pay for them to go on a mission trip. Help them identify and develop their giftings.
  5. Coach. How will they know how to improve if someone does not help them see their areas needing improvement? How will they know what to change in order to improve if someone does not gently teach them? Your experience will allow you to see things that they are incapable of seeing.
  6. Encourage, encourage, encourage. Many young people give up on their call because they feel inadequate, unequipped, or unworthy. They need a Barnabas to come alongside of them when no one else will. They need a Paul to tell them not to be ashamed of the Gospel.

Begin equipping ministers for generations to come. Pray about with whom to start. Ask them to meet weekly or simply invite them out for a meal. Get to know them.

As you live life with them, you will be able to identify their strengths and weaknesses so you can help mold them into effective ministers for the Gospel. Follow the steps above and watch God do wonderful things through your willingness to serve Him in this way.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Phillip Slaughter and originally published by Arkansas Baptist News. 

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • When should you see a therapist?
    When should you see a therapist?
    July 13, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • First person: 10 reasons why unchurched people may find your small group uncomfortable
    First person: 10 reasons why unchurched people may find your small group uncomfortable
    July 12, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Free training available for churches to address sexual abuse
    Free training available for churches to address sexual abuse
    July 11, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

When should you see a therapist?

Remember all those things that happened back then — the things that you “just don’t think about?” Yeah. They’re still there.

First person: 10 reasons why unchurched people may find your small group uncomfortable

The healthiest churches I know have small groups that are intentional about reaching non-believers. They set that goal, and they seek to reach lost people and then disciple new believers. At the same time, though, I’m reminded of reasons unchurched or newly-churched folks may be uncomfortable attending your small group.

Free training available for churches to address sexual abuse

Many churches have begun using background checks to help prevent abuse, but fewer are trained in reporting potential abuse. Lifeway Christian Resources and Clear Investigative

First person: Where is God in our pain?

The recent flooding in Texas has left so many of us reeling. The loss of lives, especially the lives of children at Camp Mystic, is beyond comprehension.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel