The number of young people choosing a life of service in Christian ministry appears to be on the decline. Christian college leaders tell us the great majority are choosing secular careers. Fundamental church leaders and parents who desire God’s best for their youth, and who recognize the blessing and eternal benefit in a life of ministry, have a great desire to train up children to be ministry minded.As a pastor, and father of four grown daughters serving in full time Christian ministry, I have been asked to speak to this subject of training up children to be ministry minded. I have often pondered the question of how I came to my own convictions and ministry mindset. As I think back over those early years of our girls lives, I can only respond that it is by the grace of God.
There are, however, basic Bible principles given to us for our instruction that, when violated, can have a devastating effect on our children’s inclinations toward Christian ministry. Yet, when followed, God uses them to produce the fruit He has designed in the believer’s life.
