A propensity is a natural tendency or urge toward something, and such is what we need to produce in the hearts of our young men. But how do we do that?
Children take in much more than we are aware of; and if we're not careful, we can repel young men from the pulpit. One thing a child should never hear is how hard the ministry is; or how things are not the way they used to be. We wonder why so few are embracing the ministry, and yet they hear constantly the futility of serving Jesus in the latter days.
We need to stop this! This is a sin! When a young man begins to get a burden for revival, and begins to pray for one; we ought to kneel down with them and pray for revival. I do not always exhibit this, but one of the best pieces of advice I've ever received for parenting in the ministry was from Wil Rice IV at the Bill Rice Ranch several years ago. Wil's father, Bill Rice III, took Wil and his family to see the liberty bell. And Dr. Bill, with a big smile said, "Kids! Do you know why you get to see the liberty bell? Do you know why you get an opportunity lie this, when many other kids don't?" and then he would turn around and look at his kids in the back seat and say, "Because your dad is an evangelist!"
And he would make that sound like it was the greatest thing! Well, today, Wil Rice is an evangelist.
I have often tried to put that into practice in my own life. Our kids will never be more excited about the ministry than we are; but they can easily be as excited. So let's rethink what we are saying. Let's guard our tongues! Let's get the next generation viewing the advantages of serving The Lord, versus pathetic ungodly talk of the disadvantages. Let's fan our children's flame for the ministry! The laborers are few!
A propensity is a natural tendency or urge toward something, and such is what we need to produce in the hearts of our young men. But how do we do that?
Children take in much more than we are aware of; and if we're not careful, we can repel young men from the pulpit. One thing a child should never hear is how hard the ministry is; or how things are not the way they used to be. We wonder why so few are embracing the ministry, and yet they hear constantly the futility of serving Jesus in the latter days.
We need to stop this! This is a sin! When a young man begins to get a burden for revival, and begins to pray for one; we ought to kneel down with them and pray for revival. I do not always exhibit this, but one of the best pieces of advice I've ever received for parenting in the ministry was from Wil Rice IV at the Bill Rice Ranch several years ago. Wil's father, Bill Rice III, took Wil and his family to see the liberty bell. And Dr. Bill, with a big smile said, "Kids! Do you know why you get to see the liberty bell? Do you know why you get an opportunity lie this, when many other kids don't?" and then he would turn around and look at his kids in the back seat and say, "Because your dad is an evangelist!"
And he would make that sound like it was the greatest thing! Well, today, Wil Rice is an evangelist.
I have often tried to put that into practice in my own life. Our kids will never be more excited about the ministry than we are; but they can easily be as excited. So let's rethink what we are saying. Let's guard our tongues! Let's get the next generation viewing the advantages of serving The Lord, versus pathetic ungodly talk of the disadvantages. Let's fan our children's flame for the ministry! The laborers are few!