October 3, 2005 - Where Have All the Notable Young Apostolics Gone?

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Where Have All the Notable Young Apostolics Gone?
By Cara Davis
October 3, 2005

Weeks ago, ninetyandnine.com editors asked a series of “Big Questions” on the home page:

■ Who is your favorite young preacher (under 35) and why?
■ Who is your favorite Apostolic musician/musical group (under 35) and why?
■ Name a notable young (under 35) Apostolic professional making a difference in career and (non-preaching/singing) ministry. Why are they notable?

The first question received a glut of responses—it seems there are more than a few quality young ministers who are making waves in the Kingdom. The second week received a few less responses, but still received many names of anointed apostolic singers and groups who are uncompromisingly ministering in the area of music. But responses to the third question dropped off like a cliff. There were six total responses, one of which mentioned me as an up-and-comer, so I knew the list was off. And another which seemed to summarize the feelings of the scores of readers who didn’t respond: “Are there any?”

That response raised many more questions for us, like:

■ Are they overlooked, but there?
■ Do we just expect "Bill Gates" type success or it's not success?
■ What level of success would define a "notable" Apostolic?
■ Are we too church-centric? Do we view preaching/singing/musicianship as more admirable ministry successes?
■ Do you think our commitment to church hinders or enhances one's ability to succeed in his/her career?

So we took these questions to faithful ninetyandnine.com readers and contributors who are, by our accounts, successes in their prospective fields to get a pulse on the issue.

Are They Overlooked, But There?
Josh Lewis, 28, a captain in the U.S. Air Force from Bossier City, Louisiana, says, “I think they're overlooked and underappreciated. Those who succeed in secular fields are not often recognized by the church as a whole, nor are they properly encouraged in their respective areas. We have a growing number of Apostolics who are succeeding in many areas of business, education, etc. We must not push them away from the church by demeaning them and giving honor only to the preachers among us.”

Brenda Myers, 42, is an injury counselor for the Krispy Kreme corporation in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She says the reason it’s difficult to name notable Apostolics is because we don’t see them in their element—at work. “We all know the preachers and singers because we see them at every rally, church service, or general conference, doing what they do best,” she says. “People in general don't brag on their professional accomplishments, and if they do, we question their motives (unless they're a close friend).”

Brittney L. Mernick, 26, agrees. She works at an Agricultural Research Service in Peoria, IL. “As an individual, I am very cautious about sharing my personal success. I may tell my close friends if I am really excited about something happening, but otherwise it isn't something I share.”

Mernick goes on to say the local church doesn’t recognize secular success very often publicly or from the pulpit. “Thinking back over the past decade, I can only think of one person who was recognized at our church for being a great employee,” she says. “He was the head chef at a local hospital and there was a full page write-up on him in the Sunday paper. The next week, he was recognized in the service and cake/ice cream was served in his honor after the service.”

Perhaps the reason it isn’t mentioned in church is because the church’s goal is to see souls saved—recognition comes to those whose “success” comes in the form of tangible people on the pews, according to Nita Curry, ninetyandnine.com’s copy & letters editor. After all, you wouldn’t expect the local CEO of a company to recognize an outstanding pastor in the weekly staff meeting.

But the argument can be made that if the purpose of the church, or the “five-fold ministry,” is “to prepare God’s people for works of service” (Ephesians 4:11-12), part of that equipping would be encouraging laity to be successes in their line of business and then to use that influence to win souls.

In the article, “Messed-up Ministries and Lazy Laity,” I quoted Doug Sherman and William Hendricks who wrote Your Work Matters to God. They point out that Paul, writing in 1 Peter 2, gives direction for the “new clergy,” or lay people: “to function as God’s agents not only in the workplace but throughout our culture. Your local church plays an extremely strategic role in determining how you as a Christian worker will approach your work.”

Lance McElhaney, 43 and a Business Development Associate in Indianapolis, Indiana, says this very Web site propitiates the attitudes that are found within the church because of our subject matter. “My immediate response would be that your forum is probably partly responsible for your reader response,” he says. “Supposing your readership is mostly Apostolics, they would most likely focus on the two principal church activities: preaching and singing (please note I’m not including ‘eating’ as a principal church activity, since it usually occurs at a restaurant after church).”

Are We Too Church Centric?
As Apostolics, could it be that some of us are so focused on our church subculture that we’re not even pursuing success outside of the church walls? Are we so busy with weeknight prayer meetings, cell groups, Sunday school decorating nights and welcome committee meetings that we shun work or school commitments?

“Because of church commitments and family, most Apostolics aren't willing to live their lives at the office,” Brenda Myers says. “I've been fortunate in that Krispy Kreme is an old southern company and probably 98 percent of the corporate employees are ‘Christian.’ They pray at every meeting/dinner and mention God loosely in a lot of meetings. (This always blows my mind because that just doesn't happen in the Midwest!) And while we have those employees who are your typical ‘I'll do anything even if it means sleeping with the boss to get a promotion,’ we also have some good ole Baptists who will not comprise their beliefs. The company does recognize morality, integrity, and honesty as an important trait in promoting employees and they built the company on that premise. I'm sure we're the exception, rather than the rule.”

Morality, integrity and honesty are pretty good traits to pick up at church and carry into a secular workplace. Josh Lewis points out that the church enriches our lives—after all, didn’t Jesus say He came to give us life to the full (John 10:10)? “I think it enhances one's ability to succeed in other areas,” Lewis says. “For example, Bible quizzers see multiple benefits in other areas of their lives, to include academic success, enhanced social skills, healthier self-esteem and increased self-discipline.”

Perhaps the problem isn’t with attitudes the church fosters, but in the individual’s behavior. If church activities hinder one’s success, that person could be mismanaging his or her time and level of commitments. Nita Curry adds, “Most people don't have any idea of what balance in their life is. They will have a ministry that is thriving, but forget their children. I don't think that commitment to God hinders one's ability at all, but I know that there are pastors who believe that you must be involved in everything at the church in order to be considered a good saint. In this case, it would definitely be a hindrance.”

Sarah Holland, a 24-year-old educator in Pontiac, Michigan, agrees it comes down to personal discipline. “I think that we allow it to hinder sometimes, or maybe as an excuse that it would hinder our career, but really I don't think that is the case at all,” she says. “No matter how busy I've been with church things, things always balanced out.”

Holland says perhaps the problem is with the original question, not the responses (or the lack thereof). The question isn’t focused enough to answer with certainty. “I think this is the problem with the question,” she says. Who is notable, young and apostolic? “With a secular degree, I know a ton,” she says. “With a degree and a good ‘career’, ok, narrows it down, but still a bunch. Make a lot of money… oh wait, that's different, etc… to be ‘notable’, I'd say be in their career field and either rising in their work place, or becoming well known in their career field.”

What Constitutes a “Notable” and “Successful” Young Apostolic?
So maybe the original question lacks parameters. What constitutes notoriety and success to Apostolics? Brittney Mernick says, “Influence in your workplace and [the] financial ability to support your family and those in need.” But, she adds, “financial success is a bit tricky to define because it means different things to different people.”

It is tricky to define, Lewis adds. “This is a subjective question that I hesitate to answer because success is difficult to define. The best definition (for purposes of this question) of a ‘notable’ Apostolic is one who, by virtue of his/her education, business/entrepreneurial accomplishment, or service to society, is recognized by his or her secular peers for that achievement.”

“To me, notable would be someone who has taken what God has given them (whether it is musical talent, writing talent, intelligence, etc.) and used it for God’s glory in their respective field,” Nita Curry says.

So there must be scores of people who fit within the parameters outlined here. Success can come in financial form, accomplishment within one’s field or using one’s gifts and talents for the kingdom of God.

But there’s still a missing piece to the puzzle. If they’re out there, why don’t we know who they are?

Nita Curry points to the crux of the problem. “I think Kent [Curry] doing what he has done with ninetyandnine.com is notable. But to ask another Apostolic, they may not even know what ninetyandnine.com is, yet the web-zine touches thousands each month, more than probably any preacher does.”

So one who is notable to some may be unknown to others. Perhaps what we lack is a national platform—a place those of like mind and faith can exchange information about our common culture. But wait, isn’t that what ninetyandnine.com is all about? And that’s what makes ninetyandnine.com the perfect place to ask the question it did—and what makes it even more frightening that we haven’t found the answers.

If we can’t find the up-and-comers in Pentecost, who will?

ninetyandnine.com

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Associate Editor Cara Davis is the editorial director at Relevant Media Group in Orlando, Florida. Her greatest success to date has been two years of marriage and counting.