Recently, an article entitled "I Saw No Hope,' 33YO Young Missionary Died of Cancer and Pressure in Marriage" has aroused many believers' attention on the Internet. The pastor died at a young age due to illness, his disappointment in the church and his sorrow in the family.
Some pastors and believers expressed pity and feeling heavy hearted after reading the article. In fact, the death of the young pastor is not a new case.
There is a necessity to think about how to support the younger generation of pastors today.
A pastor of East China sighed after reading the article and remarked "If he was in our church, I wouldn't let him die. I would treat him like my son. Our relationship would be like that between God and us."
Pastor Pan said that new pastors, who have just graduated, are faced with three major challenges:
1. No relational support
Many students who have just graduated from the seminary still need shepherding in the church.
In the seminary, they are equipped with knowledge. In the church, they will find that knowledge is not as useful as they thought. They need relationships and life.
Pan Pastor admits that only a few of her students in the seminary will be able to serve very well in the church. The most important reason is that no one shepherds them after graduation.
Pastor Pan pays much attention to relationships. She used to send two fellow workers of her church to preach the Gospel outside to the people.
"They are, in some ways, stronger than me. One is better than me at preaching. The other person is better than me at shepherding. Their own church is also developing fast and tends to surpass the mother church."
"But I won't overthink. I am very happy for them, because they are like my sons. The father always feels honored for his sons' glory."
"I care about my fellow workers' marriage and children. After children get married, the mother still takes care of them." Pastor Pan said that regarding marriage and commented that the marriage of Ding Nanjiang is a tragedy.
"His wife is also a pastor. The church didn't allow him to get divorced due to regulations. In fact, they shouldn't let him endure. They should help him solve the problem."
Family relationships are very important for pastors. A harmonious family can become a harbor for pastors and provide them spiritual comfort.
"There are pre-marital counseling courses for brothers and sisters who are going to get married in our church. We also talk about family on Lord's Day. In group meetings, some believers would share their difficulties in life and we would pray for them."
Pastor Pan also said that two pairs of divorced couples in her church got married again last year.
2. Suppressed by old pastors
In addition, new pastors may also be suppressed by old pastors. The relationship between the old generation and young generation is like a master-apprentice relationship and it is competitive.
"Young pastors are like newly born calves. They are energetic, capable and well-educated. Because of these characteristics, some old pastors just suppress these young pastors and many new pastors couldn't get the chance to develop."
3. Unsatisfactory treatment of pastors
Pastors should be honored by believers. "Ding Nanjiang was not honored by believers. He didn't have a basic salary." Pastor Poon said.
"Our church sets housing subsidies, child subsidies and wages for pastors in order to satisfy their basic needs."
"Full-time service is good. However, it doesn't equal with sufferings or full sacrifice. A pastor and his family members should all be honored. "
In addition, Pastor Pan believes that being a pastor is not a casual job that everyone could do. "I won't encourage a young university graduate to become a full-time servant. They have no experience. They should practice in society and learn how to be obedient. They will cut off their edges and corners in their company. The church is full of love and not suitable for young graduates."
She believes that a full-time servant must have God's calling. "The group leader of my church serve part time. I can see his gift of preaching. I reminded him: 'Have you ever considered full-time service?'
"I will never force him. It may take two or three years for him to have the calling of God and be motivated. It doesn't matter. I can wait for him."
Translated by Emma Ma
