The news startles me. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) faces a critical shortage of ministers now and in the years ahead. In Richard Hamm's new book, 2020 Vision for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ, he outlines the facts this way. In the past 20 years ordinations have decreased 30% from 120 per year to about 90 per year. He writes, "If we extend that twenty-year trend (1980 - 2000) to 2020, with the accelerating elements of fewer ordinations, earlier retirements, and later age of entry factored in, we can project a decrease in the active ministry pool from 3, 347 in 1998 to approximately 1,650 in 2018." (Pg. 129).

Dr. Hamm, General Minister and President of the Christian Church, goes on to say "It is projected that a whopping 64% of all ministers currently in active service will retire by the year 2020!" (Pg. 129-130). His analysis of all the data allows him to conclude that "If we project the number of ministers needed to provide leadership at current levels into the year 2020 and compare that with the number actually projected, we find that by 2020 we will have a shortfall of ministers of approximately 1,240." (Pg. 130). To not only meet current needs but also provide clergy for the anticipated one thousand new church starts planned, the church will "need to ordain or license a total of about 230 (ministers) per year."

The numbers seem staggering. In response to these anticipated needs the Christian College of Georgia Board of Trustees set out several years ago to map a course that would help facilitate the training and nurture of students and young adults, licensed ministers and students in our Georgia seminaries. The result has become a three-pronged approach to nurture and care that has resulted in several exciting new programs within our region. First of all, Patrick Chandler chairs a team focused on the nurture of Disciple students on campus at the University of Georgia. Along with Dr. Bob Harris, President of the College, they meet regularly with these students and average 25 in attendance at weekly fellowship meals and Bible studies.

Dr. Jerry Gladson, pastor of First Christian Church in Marietta, has led a group of College trustees investigating viable educational and training opportunities for laity and licensed ministers. The selection of a final program and its offering to regional churches in cooperation with the region and the Commission on Ministry will provide opportunities that will strengthen bi-vocational ministries through lay and licensed continuing education. In addition, many of you are already aware that the Christian College long has been an active encourager and has provided the resources to fund the start-up of the United Divinity Center. The Center offers outreach and support for Disciples and UCC seminarians attending the 4 major theological institutions in Atlanta (ITC, McAfee, Columbia, and Candler).

Last of all, the Christian College Board of Trustees convened a team to study issues concerning vocation and ministry. Together, Dean Phelps, Emily Smith, Bob Harris, Patti Clark and Landa Simmons, chair, have initiated a three year campaign to emphasize vocations and the call to ministry among our youth and young adults. At our mid-hi and CYF and YADA conferences last summer, youth heard ministers talk about their calling. And we have started this section of our regional website to publicize issues and events which promote, encourage, and answer questions about vocational issues. Here interested youth can read how current ministers heard their call and how they have lived out their call. There's more.

The College now underwrites a cooperative program with the region to keep issues of vocation in the minds, hearts and souls of our youth. Approximately every three months the College sends over 500 youth and young adults in the region a card in the mail. These sometimes funny, sometimes poignant "greeting" cards encourage our youth to consider thoughts like this: "Ministry: maybe it's where you're meant to be" or the importance of a living a meaningful life. Immediately after the summer camping season, many youth received their camp pictures along with the reminder that "Some people get to go to camp all their lives…and get paid for it" with an encouragement to consider ministry for their own lives. The next cards will go out before Christmas.

Beautiful graphic designs for each card are lovingly and generously crafted by Linda Humphries, a graphic artist who attends First Christian Church of Decatur. Each card has a unique and creative design, which sets the stage for the message inside. The process continues in Watkinsville where Patti Clark has collected a merry band of volunteers who fold, stuff, stamp and seal these envelopes with energy and love.  The Associate Regional Minister for Youth and Young Adults, Michael Weeks, has provided invaluable assistance and cooperation.

Always, the ministers of the region are kept informed about the nature of the cards via e-mail because everyone recognizes that a sense of calling doesn't happen because of camp, conference, or a card in the mail. Experiences like these simply help to clarify a call that has been developing through years of worship and fellowship in local communities of faith. These efforts hope only to reinforce the good work already taking place by local church pastors and congregations who model the living of meaningful lives to their youth and young adults.

Landa Harris Simmons