Over the past 5 to 10 years, I have kept encountering a problem with young white missional leaders. At the risk of stereotyping, I find many young white missional leaders inflicted with a kind of white man’s angst inherited from the American post 60’s generation. Ever since the seventies (and probably a little earlier), once education opened up to everyone and the industrial society morphed into a service economy, middle to upper middle class families (majority of whom are white) have bred children to believe they could choose their careers. They could go to college, get some grad school, get good at something, and then choose a satisfying career path from which they would get their identity and prove their self worth. Many of this generation think that they have to have this figured out by the time they are say thirty.
This drives me nuts when these pressures are applied to ministry. Missional church planters/pastors viewing a life in ministry simply can not think this way. Not only is the economy NOT like this any more (no one has one job for a lifetime anymore), but ministry in general is not as well. We are caught in the shifts of post Christendom. Outside of the Christendom south (U.S.), and its enclaves in the north, ministry can hardly be viewed as the secure career path it once was. Even when there is this possibility, ministry is a poor long term career offering low pay, extremely long hours (in Christendom structures that is), susceptibility to lack of satisfaction (ministry as profession is hardest job I ever had) and good possibility of getting fired (or the pressure to keep everybody happy in your church so you keep a pay check). The only real career in ministry that works along these former ways of thinking is “the mega church pastor.” The “mega church pastor” is a limited skill-set (not many have it). And I wouldn’t wish that life on anyone. And yet, on and on it goes. Young white males, coming out of seminary, can’t deal with the identity crisis they get when they are asked to pursue another skill or vocation alongside the pursuit of ministry. Somehow, to dive in and learn another vocation for the long term that shall feed into one’s vocation of ministry – is a compromise.
Fellow pastor Geoff Holsclaw and I were talking about this yesterday and he called it “the white man’s place of privilege.” We (white males) are used to being masters of our own destiny. We are told we can do anything if we work hard enough. So to pursue a vocation other than ministry that shall be part of ministry is a compromise. It detracts from a singular focus on ministry. It throws open the future. It disrupts the question “will this job fulfil me?” because there is no way this question makes sense anymore when we enter into Kingdom life in this way.
And yet this is exactly the path I believe many of us are called into when looking at the church through the eyes of post Christendom.
In my experience, women and minority people in general have less of this angst for many reasons. The angst of the young white male is a recent development in history (where I grew up, in Hamilton ON, everybody’s dad was a steelworker, and everybody’s son was expected to be a steelworker, unless they became a pastor/missionary). Most people, prior to the 60’s were too busy responding to the immediate task of providing for family and needs. Planning a job/career was not on most people’s minds. Only the wealthy had this angst. Yet years later, as culture morphed into the service sector offering more choice, middle class white males felt the pressure first. “What career path will you choose?” “What are you going to make of yourself?” Then Caucasian women fell into this in the 80’s. Then various second generation immigrant groups coming into the country to fulfil the American dream felt this pressure. Other minorities, to the degree they have begun to enter into the economic mainstream of N America (including the black middle class), have also begun to feel this pressure. To all these groups, the temptation is to look at ministry as a career achievement track. On the other hand, minorities still caught within America’s poverty cycle, including much of Hispanic immigrant culture, still is driven by the need to find a job and take care of families much like it was in the early days of Euro immigration.
There’s a real sense that we are returning to these minority postures as far as the missional leader is concerned. We are in Newbigin’s words in a “missionary culture.” Christendom is shrinking. The established church culture is getting harder and harder to work in. Devoid of a secure career path in ministry, new missionaries must think in terms of “how am I going to feed my family?” They must be open to what lies in front of them, and respond to job opportunities openly, NOT FROM A POSTURE OF HOW WILL THIS AFFECT MY LONG TERM CAREER IN MINISTRY. Instead, take a job locally, band together in groups, and work out ministry in local contexts. And when, the demands of ministry require it, be prepared to go full time. But don’t think about that right now. You’ll get to that when you get to it.
I was sitting around a living room this past Friday with some people in our missional order dinner group and I told my story. It is a winding swerving crazy story from all counts. I weaved through a financial services occupation in which I became very good in the financial services industry. I engaged a wide open future knowing I would need to get very good at one thing where I could earn a living, and that would serve me well in the rest of my life in ministry. These jobs provided not only a salary but a vision for understanding the world. Yet, as I look back, I was basically put in a position to discern what God was calling me to do each step of the way. There was no master plan. I rejected the singular career in ministry early. I did not have the luxury of choosing a career path in ministry or teaching. Instead God led in and through many different journies. I was involved in church ministry when God led us to start a community. I pursued a PhD when I applied and it was largely paid for. One thing led to another. By placing one foot in front of another each step along the way, God led to the shape of ministry he had for me. I think this is the way of the future, because the established church and seminary teaching are shrinking as options by the day.
The missional movement needs to come to grips with the young white man’s angst whether we are white, male or not. It is probably too late for the older generation. But the younger generation needs to reconceptualize what ministry will look like. We need to understand seminary differently. A whole new world of ministry is opening up, a revolution of sorts. And the next wave into the missionary context of the West demands flexible bi-vocational cultivators of the gospel. They will inhabit locales for many many years as missionaries leading missionary communities. I’ve done it. It is not only possible, it is a wonderful intense way to live the gospel driven life .
What say you? Is the missional movement got white male angst in it? Have you got this white male angst? Even if you’re not white? if you’re not male? Can you relate? Is this angst holding the movement back? Holding you back? How? Comments please!!
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I liked your sharing about your stint in Financial Services. I tried that for about 5 years. Then, your comment, “it’s probably too late for the older generation…” Were you speaking of the 45 year old and up? I used to have this “angst” as an “angry white male,” but the LORD delivered me from this very wrong thinking of self entitlement, career success, dreams and ambitions, etc. By reading the Word of God, I learned that ministry is not “my ministry” BUT God’s ministry. He began His ministry in Genesis by speaking…”Let there be Light” and by separating the darkness from the light. His earthly ministry began as God became Man in incarnation and “tabernacled” among us. His ministry extends to the consummation of His Economy, the New Jerusalem. For Revelation 21:2-3 says, “And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice out of the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will tabernacle with them, and they will be His peoples, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.” Clearly, the New Jerusalem is not a physical, material city, but the “tabernacle” of God together with men, as His bride. This is the New Testament Ministry, for the fulfillment of the Kingdom Age.
I can relate. I am guilty on all counts. Trying my find my way forward now. I probably won’t ever be “forced” to finance my life outside a church income, but think it might be necessary to achieve the environment I am attempting to create.
Something you didn’t address is entrepreneurship. I would say that might throw a bit of a kink in your argument. Most schools are teaching that entrepreneurship is or can be learned. The myth that an entrepreneur is a charismatic wizard is being Proven a myth. So, how does that mix with this? A capitalistic economy does provide the opportunity for most people to at least supplement their income through creative means. Even women and other minorities. But, maybe that’s the white male position of privelege speaking from within me.
Thank you for pinpointing the white man’s angst. I’m a 29 (almost 30) year old guy who for the last 4 years has been working a job and making ministry a natural outflow from that life. I’ve been feeling that angst with some pressures I feel from those older who think I’m compromising. But also, not desiring to work for a church anymore. Thank you for more clarification. I really appreciate you giving me a deep breath and a peaceful stream to stop by on the journey here in the post!!!
Your blog has me thinking along the lines of one definition of terms: white mans angst, Church, body of Christ, ministry, vocation, calling, Biblical Theology for life, the mission of God’s people, and a Biblical Theology of the Church’s mission. Apart from the definition of these terms your blog makes for interesting conversation, but perhaps misguided at best! (Depending on who is having this conversation)
David,
As a African American middle class Christian who has gotten some interaction with the missional Church movement, I’d agree with 90% of your comments. I don’t carry as much of that “careerism” angst in large part because I have plenty of examples of pastors, some in my own family, who were not afraid to change jobs, wait in trust for opportunities, all while maintaining a pastoral vocation. Some like my great grandfather who was a Presbyterian pastor in Alabama, were able to use business acumen to build wealth that he later gave away with philanthropy.
Only thing I would push you on, as I think I’ve said here way back when, is this bit:
“Most minorities, having yet to enter that mainstream economy, and in many cases coming to the United States for the express purpose of participating in this American affluence, can hardly see this affluence etc. as something to be resisted. They cannot relate to the terms as laid down by the missional movement for a new economics. This I admit is changing. ”
Have to say, I would see this as a somewhat unhelpful reduction of “minority” experience. I’m not sure what is meant by mainstream economy here. Ethnic minorities, African, Asian and Latino/a have been full participants in Western economies for centuries, often in their underbellies. Then, take for example, black American Christians: whether we discuss post-Reconstruction black church, the post WWII -civil rights movement black Church, or economic empowerment movements within the black Church, or even the deep undercurrent of conservatism in black life, a good dose of skepticism toward unvarnished individualism and materialism is always visible, even if in tension with more favorable feelings. To say that those critiques haven’t yet coalesced into a meaningful “missional movement” akin to the one emerging from white post-evangelical circles is I would dare say just not reading the history close enough. Genuine missional movements are not all going to be cut from the same cloth, look the same way, or be made in any one image except hopefully the imago Dei.
I’d suggest there is something deeper than language and terminology disconnecting minorities from the “new economics”, and its not necessarily that they aren’t critical enough of Western notions of success. I think it has to do with the limits imposed by the missional movement’s own social particularity and its internal contradictions.
All that being said, thanks for continuing to think about these issues out loud. I wish more for the missional movement would. I’d be up for a discussion about what the “new economics” looks like in more than one social location.
JMorrow,
as always, thanks for this. yes, as a white man … I’m always in danger of generalizing wrongly. You speak of some aspects of minority/black experience I’d be very interested in.
My take on this comes from my work here at Northern, with both our African American students (close to 40% of students) and Asian students. Over and over again from my black co-laborers I hear “we’ve never experienced the full participation in American affluence like your people have,” “it’s hard to (or we cannot) hear about resisting American affluence, when we never had it, and indeed have been fighting for economic equality for years.” This of course could be something local to us in Chicago.
I think your insights are great and I am paying close attention to them and adjusting my understandings on the move.
Blessings
DF
Freud stated that, “Anatomy is destiny,” a theory to which Simone de Beauvoir and other feminists disagreed.
The transgender movement suggests that “Biology is NOT destiny.”
Some religions and philosophies seem to hold that “Our trajectory is our destiny,” and that there is no goal, only “being.”
Some movements within technical disciplines, organics, culture, and even post-Christendom would hold that “Design is destiny.”
I appreciate your personal accounts, Dr. Fitch, of how the fullness of your own destiny “unfolded” gradually (and still is) and was shaped through providential changes and suffering (there isn’t always a lot of “fun” in the “unfolding approach,” eh?).
In terms of developing an unfold-toward-fulfillment design philosophy, I wonder if we have something important to learn from the “Slow Food” movement, which is basically everything that “fast food” is not. Maybe we’ll find a rich analogy there on gradually, indigenously, naturally unfolding ministry-fruitfulness-as-goal rather than a quick, extricated, pressure-cooker ministry-career-as-goal approach of the angst you speak of.
I think we may find that the slowly-composite-new-skills and unfolding-providence approach better leads to the formation of integrative, interdisciplinary, DiscipLeaders who exude authority based on generalist experience instead of all-at-once experts who want to claim authority based more on specialist reading and theoretical preparation. I for one am convinced that the interdisciplinary people will make better leaders in the post-Christendom era. But to forge them and learn from them requires a slow-growth, slow-food mindset.
Angst seems like the triple espresso version of career vision-casting. Could I please just have a regular cuppa joe?
David, these are good thoughts here, but there is I believe there is a piece that may be missing here.
The amount of time and effort needed to build a skill set and effectively (feed one’s family) in today’s service-based economy is continually growing. There is rarely a job that can be left at the place of work. Therefore, certain vocations require the clocked 40 hours and then the extra time needed to work and home and complete tasks. Often when I read your posts on bi-vocationalism, I see a lack of this perspective.
In sum, I do not have “White-man’s Angst”. I fear that the types of jobs in the current economy have become so specific in their needs and requirements that it is no longer a possibility to simply “choose” without some training. It would be different if I knew I could walk over to the steel mill and get a job because I was willing to work during the tough shifts.
I really wish bible college/seminaries would intentionally deal with this tension. I went to a bible college and remember sitting down with the admissions counselor and being told that my degree in Pastoral Ministries would qualify me to be an assistant pastor (but not a “senior” pastor, this would require the m.div.).
That was strange to me because I grew up in a church context where seminary degrees were rare (Jesus Movement Calvary types). I never wanted the education for the degree for the job. Applying to a church in order to get hired (though not evil) was about the last thing I ever wanted to do. I knew I wasn’t being called to that. My heart was with urban missional discipleship (though I wouldn’t have used the phrase then) and I knew there was no money in it and no stable pastoral position on the other side. This didn’t scare me, I wanted it that way. But who is supporting people like me? Nobody. We are at the same time an anomaly within the structure of biblical education, and the future norm.
I wish seminary profs and administrations were a bit more creative in the sort of trajectories they promoted. Though I guess you are one…so that’s good anyway.
Hey, Dave, if you are going to use the “I’ve done it, you can too,” logic you need to tell your whole story, such as . . . that the community you helped start was a monolithic group of single, white, urban professionals and that your entire education was completed while you were SINGLE, you did not marry until your early forties, did not start a family until nearly fifty, and that your second vocation now is firmly planted in a Christendom structure that affords you the luxury of going to MacDonald’s every morning to read and write. Yes, God led and provided for you, but this is certainly not a replicable model and has zero to say to the newly married couple with a child who senses God’s call to the ministry. You may be right about current realities, but your article feels a little like the privileged 1% telling the 99% to “suck it up and work harder.” Do we need an Occupy Fitch?
OK, Jim, I’ll bite a little bit on this.
I do have peculiarities that some might think make my case unique.
I agree that my education was completed while single, but I think at least my early seminary education would have been easier to get through if I had a spouse to help pay bills? Many people do that today? I think it’s inconsequential, especially regarding the new ways I am proposing to get theological education done.
I was single for a long time (ok a really long time). I admit that enabled me to do a Ph D and pay for it while working, while leading a community (in Chicago) and working. But I am not recommending anyone do a Ph D today, indeed I recommend theological education being done in a totally different fashion now.
I don’t see why getting married and having young children would change my course, although I admit I could take more risks earlier without pressures of a full family to raise. (I certainly made alot more money in business world than I could have in church world – that would make raising children easier). Having said that, I agree, once you get older, have family increasing obligations, kids to put through schools, etc… the kind of path I advocate here is nigh impossible … (I admit as much in this piece eh?)
As for my second vocation being a Christendom one affording me time to read and write?. I view my move into seminary teaching as a move to lead change and develop seminary education towards some major shifts (what I still view as an essential much needed training ground for future church leadership). So I am working off the back of Christendom here. I did not however quit my previous job for an easier one (or better pay). I left my previous vocation at great financial cost. I did it not to depend upon Christendom but to lead the shift
. That’s the way I see it anyway.
I admit my work now requires I read and write lectures etc… but honestly, I wrote my first book with more time to spare when I was working in finanical services.
As far as Life on the Vine? it’s not urban,it is largely white (not entirely), not entirely professional class. It’s much more economically diverse than that (certainly no wealthy folk in our place). It inhabits a largely white context. So I need to know the point here to comment? At our community in Chicago, it was urban, largely white, but very diverse economically, but again, if we’re talking about the diversity issues, there’s all sorts of reasons and also things to be learned from mistakes.
So, Van, you and i are long time friends, we disagree on things all the tme. On this one I remain convinced of what I am saying and feel the need to fight to keep this imagination open for those who cannot yet see.
Next time you are in town, stay with ,me and we’ll check out a commuity “the Vine” birthed last year where young men and women are leading, many of them with young kids, doing bi-vocationalism, and are thriving so far. And there are many many others as well …
peace bro .. thanks for pushing me as always
Hey!! In reflecting on this just now, I just realized, I had more time to read and write as a bi-vocational. The only difference was I did it at a Dunkin Donuts on Montrose in Chicago … and those donuts just about killed me!
DF
“Instead, take a job locally, band together in groups, and work out ministry in local contexts.”
Hmm, sounds like the New Testament
. In fact, leaders who were supported financially were few and far between. It was, like you said, only when necessary and only the most mature Christians (like apostles). We’ve got little 20-something infants in Christ being supported financially. Whaa? That’s like making a junior high kid the head of your household 
…
A great resource on this topic that just came out recently is The Pastor Has No Clothes: Moving from Clergy-Centered Church to Christ Centered Ekklesia
Thoughts?
David,
I was turned on to your blog by my father-in-law, who is a friend of yours, and a missional bi-vocational urban ministry guy in Indiana. I’m a 35 year old white church planter near Minneapolis, and I can fully relate to the “angst” you speak of. I was fortunate enough to get an “in” into ministry coming out of college, and as different churches I have served in have struggled, I’ve struggled with feeling like I didn’t have a career unless I was in full-time ministry.
Two years ago, the church planting network I partnered with wanted me to pursue a seminary degree, to provide the training I needed to be the Lead Pastor of a church plant. And while I have no regrets about seminary itself (it’s a fantastic school, and God is growing my leadership as a result), I’m surprised by the sense of entitlement that comes along with seminarians. “If I get an Mdiv, I’m assured a job and a career for the rest of my life.” More than that, I’m shocked by my own sense of entitlement as I think about my own career. My church is financially struggling, and I find myself feeling like a failure as I consider bi-vocational ministry, even if it’s for the short term. In my heart of hearts, I know that it’s not only right and appropriate, but what should be expected. When I see Jesus sending out the disciples (Mark 6), there are no assurances of provision. They’re told only to take an extra cloak. No bag, no food, no money. The disparity between what Jesus told his disciples to expect, and what we’re told in seminary to expect, is astounding. It may be the young white man’s angst, or it may be more wide-spread. Either way, I’m at the center of this target, and I’m the perfect example of the problem. I’m also not unaware that the problem exists to begin with!
I don’t (yet) know how to assuage this angst, other than to ask God to ease my tensions. I don’t know what path my ministry will take (continuing full-time, or moving to bi-vocational ministry), but I’m praying that in whatever path I’m called to take, I’ll be brave enough to go there, even if it means no ministry career…in the traditional sense.
Thanks for your blog, I’m following along with every post here forward!
Love it. I disagree that the specialization of our service economy means pastors should not be bivocational. It’s all the more reason why you need to get your hands dirty so you understand where people are coming from.
I’m not coming at this from the angle of being angst-ridden, but realizing that in a church that is trying to become missional my “full-time pastor” status is actually a significant dent in credibility both inside and outside the church. Those inside the church can write off my example: “he’s the pastor.” And we all know how conversations outside the church go when someone learns you are clergy. Anyway, really appreciate it and am continuing to seriously consider going bivocational for the mission.
David,
Thanks for another thought provoking post. I’m part of the older generation (well, we’re about the same age, so I don’t know if we’re really OLD) and I have been in full time ministry all my career as a supported missionary to international university students. I resigned from that position a couple of years ago and started a non-profit ministry. I was sure that my donor base would come with me, assuring me of the financial security I I had enjoyed for many years. They didn’t and I had to re-think things. I am now working part-time in the construction field and will be starting an internship to become certified as a chaplain in February. One of the main reasons for pursuing this career (even though it is still ministry related) is to have the option of being bi-vocational if God leads me to attempt to start a missional community in my city. Having the freedom of an income which is not dependent on the congregation allows me to support my family and serve the church without placing undue burden on the finances of a fledgling congregation. It will also allow the church to use its finances to help make sure others in the church are taken care of if financial needs arise. I hope others will catch this vision and seek this path. I also hope that you will be encouraged to know that it’s not too late for us old dogs to learn new tricks. Keep pressing forward in trying to bring about change in the church.
Dear David,
I am not very articulate so bear with me.
The Church, the body of Christ, was given these gifts; apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. Why then does the Church hire pastors? Are not these hirelings and will they not surely abandon the sheep when there is trouble? And of course if a hireling does not receive their pay, they do not do the job. Maybe it is not the Church they are involved in, but a church, which is not really the body of Christ. The body of Christ seems to be the one’s who are to do his work and build up the church. These gifts, God given, of course, seem to have been discarded for our rebellious wills. Give us a King, so we can be like the world! You and other dreamers, dream up a never ending stream of ways not to follow God’s design. The Holy Spirit will not be thwarted by those who try to quench His direction, but God will raise up another generation to go into the promised land. A never ending search for a different model,
is yet another Idol of man’s intellect.
Wendell
David, I loved this article! I just wrote about something similar. We live in Thailand, and I watch the rice workers over the fence daily labor. With my husband in ministry for the past 10 years, I totally have been caught up in the “what is God’s dream for our lives” question. And, honestly, the search for that illusive “it” has bred mountains of discontent.
Thanks so much for this piece. I am linking it on the discussion over my way here:
It’s Entitled: The Guy in the Rice Field Never Read ‘Wild at Heart’ and Maybe He’s Happier–
http://www.lauraleighparker.com/2011/12/christians-pursuing-dreams/
My question is how do these things work out for those not working in urban contexts (I’m thinking specifically rural) or in places where any work is incredibly difficult to come by? Are there other ways that ministers can work at subsisting? I feel like the entrepreneurship/creativity becomes particularly important in those spaces, but this idea has quite a few difficulties as the space changes, though the thought that small churches which slowly burn less and less bright can support a full-time pastor also has lots of difficulties.