It Takes a Church to Grow a Pastor [FrontLine]

FRONTLINE Volume 36 • Number 1

If we view the landscape of the Biblebelieving church, we will see along with many encouraging signs some serious needs. One of the most pressing, I believe, is the scarcity of leaders, not only to expand the harvest but to replace mature leaders who are reaching the end of their ministries. We see this crying need both for established churches and church planting in the United States and for foreign missions.

Of course, the most important thing we can do is plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers (Matt. 9:38). As we do, however, we must be aware that after Christ gave this command to His disciples, He sent them out (Matt. 10:1). If we hope to pray according to the will of God, we must be willing to be used by the Holy Spirit to fulfill our own petition. Some must be willing to go, and the rest must be willing to send and support them.

Moreover, we must prepare leaders. I have been a part of seminary education, as a student and as a teacher, for almost forty years; I love our fundamentalist educational institutions. Nevertheless, I have become convinced that many have the wrong impression about the ministry: that God calls leaders in isolation, directs them to seminary for training, and then sends them to passive, waiting churches as fully prepared leaders. This idea is both unbiblical and impractical. As Nathan Mestler demonstrates in this issue, the Bible is clear that the entire church is responsible to participate fully in the identification, preparation, and commissioning of leaders.

Given that the church is a body, all members have a vital role to play in this task. First, the members are those who, through their evangelism and discipleship, lay the first row of stones in the lives of future leaders. As my testimony, “Radical Hospitality,” demonstrates, we have no idea how our personal investment in the lives of new believers can influence them for future service.

Sometimes, this ministry requires loving confrontation, as the article by Ron Perry illustrates. A group of mature brothers in the church lovingly confronted him and began a process that led to his salvation and call to the ministry, and both the pastors and people of the church were instrumental in preparing him for his future pastorate. Scott Olson’s teaching and testimony emphasizes the vital disciple-making nature of successful local churches and the influence that many different people have on future ministers.

One of the chief concerns regarding the scarcity of pastors has been called the boy crisis, a serious neglect of mentoring, which has resulted in arrested adolescence and serious character flaws in young men. In recent years many have started searching for their role in society and significance as men. This crisis has not left the church unaffected. Jeff Caupp has given us an important key to helping boys (future pastors and leaders) in our churches. He argues that instead of blaming fathers or simply giving them another discipleship book, pastors and other mature men in the church need to come alongside and mentor the mentors.

At the other end of the spectrum are older members of our churches who have been serving the Lord in secular occupations. It is not unusual for some of these to sense the Lord’s calling to second-career ministry, using the practical skill and experience that they have obtained and adding to it a deeper understanding of the Bible, theology, and practical ministry. Matt Klassen’s personal experience provides a fascinating window into the process by which God calls and by which the church supports these new, yet mature, ministers.

God uses His church to call, prepare, consecrate, and support His ministers. The question is whether you are willing to take part in this great work.

David Shumate, Associate Editor

Features:

Called in Community: The Local Church and the Shaping of Pastoral Ministry
Nathan Mestler

It is within the rhythms of congregational life— worship, service, relationships, and accountability— that a person’s true character is revealed.

The Power of Radical Hospitality
David Shumate

“From that moment, our lives changed drastically, most importantly because of the influence of the indwelling Spirit and His Word, but also through the fellowship of our new Christian family.”

It Takes a Church to Prepare a Pastor: A Personal Testimony
Ron Perry

“I did not look much like a future pastor, but God used the whole church to work in my life and form me into the man he wanted me to be.”

How God Uses His People to Prepare Future Generations to Minister
Scott Olson

1 Peter 4:7–11 gives us a pattern for creating an atmosphere that nurtures a generation of future leaders.

Mentor the Mentors: A True Call to Ministry
Jeff Caupp

What boys and fathers need is life-upon-life mentorship: pastors, grandfathers, and mature men, walking alongside families in intentional, purposeful ways.

The Second-Career Call
Matt Klassen

“A few years ago, I left my career of twenty- five years and began my employment at the church as ‘Ministry Manager.’”

Sound Words: Inspiration for the Pastor’s Study

I: First Partaker: Praying In the Spirit Effectually Enabled
Mark Minnick

V: Bring . . . the Books: More Books for a Deserted Island
Alan Patterson

VI: Straight Cuts: Repentance
Wesley Barley

VII: Windows: Lessons in Evangelism from Our Neighborhood
Ben Smith

DEPARTMENTS

News From All Over

On the Home Front

Best of Proclaim & Defend

Regional Reports

Heart to Heart: She Has Done What She Could
Janet Clark Shay

At a Glance: The Lord’s Prayer: Praying for New Covenant Fulfillment
Layton Talbert

With the Word to the World: The Time Is Now
Jim Tillotson

Stewardship Matters: Benevolence
Corey Pfaffe

Chaplain’s Report: FBFI Chaplain Retirement Ceremonies Honor Faithful Service

FrontLine • January/February 2026. Click here to subscribe to the magazine.