5/20/56

Scripture: Isaiah 6: 1-8.

Text: Isaiah 6: 8; “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

Last year, at about this time, we observed “A Sunday of Concern for the Christian Ministry.” We gave some thought to the Chicago Theological Seminary, a color picture of which was seen on the first page of the Sunday bulletin. We had Jack Crook with us to make a statement of why he had decided to enter the Christian ministry and his plans for training.

This year we continue the emphasis by marking today as “Church Vocations Sunday.” On the ecclesiastical calendar, today is the day of Pentecost. You recall the New Testament account of the disciples of Christ after His crucifixion and resurrection, how they did gather together again after they had scattered. Their faith and their purpose was renewed. They were getting used to the truth that their faith and this work were to continue. Even though they no longer had the physical presence of Jesus with them, they began to understand that his spiritual presence would never leave them.

But the distinctive power to go forth in the ministry for which he had prepared them came on the day of Pentecost. They were gathered together in one place, talking among themselves, and with others who gathered around to hear what they had to say. And the Holy Spirit came upon them in such a way that they were moved to speak, understandably and with great enthusiasm, of the faith in Christ. It was such a moving experience that Peter preached a powerful sermon, and thousands became believers on that day, and were baptized. It was a time of conversion of many people because of the conversion of disciples to this ministry. The spirit moved upon them, and they could not but preach.

So far as the gospel of Jesus Christ is concerned, there is not much difference between that day of Pentecost and our time. The need of all people for the Word of God, the good news of Christ, is the same now as it was then. And while all Christian folk are concerned with its message, its comprehension and effect, there are some who are called to proclaim it as preachers. The first Christians found, very early, that some of their number were fitted to teach, some to preach, some to exhort, some to handle the means of relief and brotherly aid to the distressed among their number. And they set apart those of their number who were so fitted and called to these special tasks. The church thus took form, in their lives. It is the concern of every generation of Christian people that some of their number hear and heed the call to the ministry, and prepare themselves adequately for this service.

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The prophet Isaiah, long before the appearance of Jesus upon earth, perceived the need of the Eternal God to have His will proclaimed among people. He had what might be called a vision of the Lord sitting upon a throne. And, seeing angelic presences proclaiming that the Lord is holy, holy, holy! he felt his own inadequacy and uncleanness. That is almost always the reaction of one who comes to perceive what is really clean and good and holy. It is the conviction of sin in our stubborn and blinded lives.

But it was no emotional “jag” that could be shrugged off in a few hours or days. For the holy presence came directly to him with a challenge of such convincing power and urgency that he had to respond with some action. He did feel that his iniquity was taken away in forgiveness, and that his sin was purged. But he had to do something about so great a blessing. For it was as if the Eternal Himself was saying, “Who will be my messenger?” “Whom shall I send?” “Who will go for us?” And Isaiah gave the obvious answer: “Here am I; send me.” It was a call to the prophetic ministry.

One might perceive, therefore, three steps in the making of a prophet. (1) First, the overwhelming sense of unworthiness -- the conviction of his own sinful nature in the light of what is holy. (2) Second, the swift and sure sense of forgiveness. Isaiah was to say much to his fellow men about their sin, but always with the assurance that divine mercy is available. There is no gospel in denunciation; thunder and lightening do not cause growth; the life-giving touch of sun and rain can do that. And the assurance of divine mercy can bring hope to sinful men. Isaiah knew forgiveness, not as a doctrine, but as an experience. It was his own forgiven self that took the (3) third step, which is the dedication of the life redeemed.

There may be many whose sense of forgiveness takes them back into life, rejoicing in a measure of regained peace, but with eyes still blind to others’ needs, and hearts uncommitted to the sharing of the good news. But the prophet felt the urge, and heard the call, to go and proclaim the will of God to others. In Isaiah’s case there was no debate over the obligation of forgiveness. He just answered the call, responding with his whole being: “Here am I, send me.”

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Isaiah lived in a troubled time. But so do we. And, here and there, the perception of that need results in some changed lives. There is a mounting concern for religious ideas in our nation brought about by:

1) The end of our isolation as a continent. Our nation emerges, unprepared or insufficiently prepared, in a role of world leadership.

2) We are waking up to the realities of nuclear power for destruction or for benefit.

3) We have a new understanding of physics with an emphasis on energy rather than matter.

4) We understand that scientists have been frightened by their own discoveries, and that many of them have become morally concerned.

5) We see demonstrated the increasingly prominent part which religious understanding and conviction plays in recovery and maintenance of health.

All of these concerns call for the best kind of minds in our time, as Isaiah’s mind was among the best of his time.

One of the truly able minds, in his field, is that of a man who has been Director of the Institute of Nuclear Studies at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Said to have been formerly an agnostic, he recently began a study of theology. And he has, at length, become an Associate Rector of an Episcopal Church in Oak Ridge, along with his duties as Director of the Institute. Religion calls for the best minds in our time, just as in Isaiah’s time.

There is in some quarters as assumption that if a student is able or brilliant he ought to go into scientific research, into administration, into law or medicine. The ministry needs the finest minds of our time, consecrated to the prophetic task of proclaiming the truth to the people of a world that is hungry for it.

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Now of course we need, unceasingly, to understand that religious faith can be expressed in all of our work. What unrealized possibilities await the Christian teacher, the Christian doctor, the Christian business executive, the Christian foreman, the Christian labor leader, the Christian lawyer. If only they see that their work is an opportunity for the service of God and man, their work is turned from a mere livelihood to a calling of God.

It is possible for a man to face the opportunity of some honest labor or great profession, giving his life to it, to hear a summons such as Isaiah heard, and to answer as he did. “Here am I, send me.” That is the answer many a Christian layman has made. But, today, I want you to share our concern for the ministry. It is a great calling. But it is surely neglected in our own Congregational Christian fellowship. Of course there are ministers in the pulpits of a majority of our churches. But there are other churches in our fellowship that are without a minister, or will be without, or will fail to thrive because they must be yoked in such a way that they do not have enough of a minister’s time and attention.

We do not produce, in our Congregational Christian fellowship, nearly as many ministers as we use! In some past years, our churches have looked to other denominations for much of our leadership. Probably half of all Congregational ministers have come from other-than-Congregational background; perhaps a tenth have actually been ordained in other denominations. That is no reflection upon their character or ability. And it is a source of spiritual “plasma”! But it is no credit to our denomination that we use so much of the vigor of others rather than produce it in measure sufficient for our own need and even reach out more vigorously toward others! It was different in some early days in our churches! The college young men who more than a century ago became fired with zeal to go into foreign mission work were burning to bring the world to Christ in one generation!

The earlier purpose of Congregationally established colleges was, primarily, to train young men for the ministry. This was a primary aim a Yale College, Harvard and others. It was a felt responsibility that went with the new freedom. But what is the picture now? If the Congregational Christian Churches are to meet their normal needs for ministers to fill the pulpits, man the mission stations, build the new parishes waiting to be organized, there must be many more preparing for the ministry than now appear.

The normal needs of our church call for some 580 new ministers ordained to replace those who will die or retire. In 1954 the number ordained was 152. And the prospect is for the same number next year. These figures do not take into account the need for, and anticipation of, demand for associate ministers, chaplains in armed services, hospitals, and corrective institutions. Nor does it take into account ministers of music. And as for directors of Christian education, our churches could use three times the number now available. The American Board needs a 100% increase in the number of people available for all kinds of foreign mission service, and frequently has to take qualified candidates from other denominations.

In 23 years, from 1931 to 1954, the Congregational Christian churches suffered a net loss of 898 churches. Some of them should perhaps have been discontinued. Some merged with others, or turned to other denominations that could serve them better, but some could have been saved and made stronger by adequately trained and consecrated leadership, if it had been available. A church within my knowledge of our part of Wisconsin, convinced that it could not find adequate leadership from Congregational sources, has turned to a non-Congregational source for a leader who is not adequately trained, but makes up enough in sheer vigor, to keep the church at least temporarily growing. But we are losing its fellowship!

In 1903 the total membership of Congregational churches in the USA was 660,400. And 152 ministers were ordained. This is one new minister trained for every 4,345 members. In 1954 after all those years of training fewer ministers, we again ordained 152 ministers. But now the membership of the Congregational churches was 1,310,572! --- One minister recruited for each 8,622 members! The population of the missionaries has been growing, but not as fast as the growth of the population or of the churches.

Congregational people have no cause for complacency! Unless we’ve lost the vigor of a free church, we must find more men and some women of vision and courage and ability to staff our pulpits! What can we do about it?

1) Recruit young men and women for full-time Christian church vocations. [Especially from Senior High age group, where more decisions are made to prepare for the ministry than at any other age; cf. Jack Crook.]

Has the church “raised up” as many ministers as it has “used up?” [Not ours. Rev. Elmer Hoats (my age) of Chadron, Nebraska. But he was here only 2 years, though he did make his decision to enter the ministry when Rev. Arthur Leonard was preaching here.

One young woman - 2 years of missionary teaching.

One young man now ready to enter theological seminary.

But if a minister’s productive life is 40 years, our church should have already produced at least 3 capable ministers in its history, just to hold its own!]

2) Encourage young people who would like to commit themselves to Christian vocation: a. parish ministry, b. missionary service of preaching, teaching, or Christian social service, c. chaplaincy, d. teaching in Christian colleges, seminaries, and so on, e. administration and communication.

3) Offer adequate financial support of Christian colleges, seminaries, and if needed for individual students for full-time Christian vocations.

4) Raise our family notions of the status of the ministry! It is no “come-down” for the able son of any home to hear and heed a call to the ministry! Christian parents ought to look deep into their own hearts and find out if they believe in the gospel as much as they think they do. For if they really believe it, many will want to encourage any child who has ability and desire to enter what I for one consider the greatest calling of them all --- the Christian ministry.

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Delivered in Wisconsin Rapids, May 20, 1956.