Some ministers’ children drawn to life of ministry_32204

Posted: 3/19/04

Some ministers' children drawn to life of ministry

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

Being a minister can be tough. Church members expect their ministers to be perfect while dynamically leading congregations to bring heaven to earth.

Ministers' concerns include finances, evangelism and Bible studies. And they regularly deal with people in times of crisis, such as illness or death.

The position also comes with little job security. Many ministers last only a few years with one church.

This setting would drive some people away from being a minister, but some Texas Baptist ministers' children see the experience as an education that prepared them to answer their own calling to ministry.

The pressures and struggles on a minister's family are difficult for maturing children to understand, but those issues can make people stronger in their faith, said Ridge Adams, pastor of Willow Grove Baptist Church in Moody, whose father, Tom, is pastor of Pendleton Community Church in Moody.

Hindsight allows Adams to see the sacrifices of his childhood as character-building experiences.

“Originally, I didn't want to become a pastor,” he said.

“I saw the struggles we went through to make ends meet.

“I think maybe I did not understand the nature of the adversity. Reflecting back on those experiences, there was growth, there was a display of grace.”

Dale Perkins Jr., music minister at First Baptist Church of Atlanta in East Texas, said it was helpful that his father intentionally projected a positive image of the church.

The older Perkins, music minister at Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview, did not mention any frustrations with his work or church members, his son said.

He encouraged children to get involved in congregational activities.

“We grew up thinking the church was a perfect place,” said Perkins, whose brothers also are ministers.

Parents who are ministers can help prepare their children for their calling, said Don Blackley, associate pastor of music and worship at First Baptist Church in Richardson.

His son, Trent, is minister of music and worship at First Baptist Church in Sunnyvale.

Mature ministers can help people who feel a call to the ministry understand the commitment they are making, Blackley said.

Beyond that, fathers serve as mentors for their grown children.

Perkins speaks to his father as often as five times a week. Adams' church sponsors his father's church.

Parents and children can encourage each other and discuss the ministry together. Blackley and his son have worked together through the Singing Men of Texas.

“We spend a lot of time talking about music, ministry, objectives, and now we can talk about the problems,” Perkins said.

“As far as I'm concerned, he's the best music minister that's ever been. Why would I go to anyone else for advice?”