Dear Friend,

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37-38

In 2003 RTS professor John Frame wrote an article entitled, Minorities and the Reformed Church - http://www.frame-poythress.org/minorities-and-the-reformed-church/. In this article he asks the question: "Why are there so few African Americans and Latinos in the PCA? Or in any Reformed church, for that matter?" He then lists seven reasons why he believes there are so few. His last reason, which he believes is cloaked in Reformed tradition, is the most compelling:

One of these traditions has been the tradition of a "learned ministry," which I will discuss at greater length. The academic emphasis of the Reformed movement has led to an emphasis on academic qualifications for pastors. Reformed denominations typically demand an A.B. degree or equivalent, plus some amount of seminary training. And they give to pastoral candidates rigorous examinations in biblical languages, church history, and theological subjects. Members of minority groups typically don't have the financial or educational prerequisites for this kind of study. The result is that very few minority people qualify to become Reformed pastors. But to attract minority church members it is necessary to ordain minority church officers. This is, I think, a major barrier to minority participation in Reformed churches.

It seems to me that theological education is still the stumbling block for many trying to come into the PCA. Having to relocate and enter a full-time graduate level program is often off limits to minorities. Even when provided with a full scholarship many minorities struggle with the academic rigors of seminary not to mention the difficulty navigating the new cultural waters of reformed tradition and the PCA.

The demand for African American pastoral candidates has historically exceeded the supply, but lately it seems that the gap is widening between the need for candidates and the number of African Americans graduating from seminary. I am aware of eleven requests for African American candidates to fill positions as assistant pastor, church planting partners, and RUF leaders. Yet I know of only two or three who have completed the requisite requirements for ordination in the PCA. This provides tremendous opportunities for those who are qualified but a competitive feeding frenzy among those who are looking.

If we are going to meet the demand for African American teaching elders we're going to have to provide alternative ways of preparing men for ordination. The good news is that the PCA has responded to the need by creating the Leadership and Ministry Preparation (LAMP) program. But there are also other avenues. Seminaries like Covenant and RTS have made their complete masters level curriculum available online. There are also other alternative seminaries such as Chesapeake Theological in Baltimore, MINTS International Seminary in Miami, and Metro Atlanta Seminary.

I would like to challenge our pastors and churches to think about alternative theological training, especially for minority candidates who show gifting and promise. If 10% of our PCA churches took just one minority candidate under their care and helped mentor him through an online master of theology program, we could prepare 20 candidates a year for ordination instead of the one or two who are currently graduating from our brick and mortar seminaries.

I have a great deal of respect for our traditional seminaries and believe they are essential, but not all candidates for ministry are prepared academically or financially for the three to four year academic experience. Some need to be under the constant care of an older, experienced mentor who can help them to think, pastor, and do ministry.

Please pray for us as God moves us forward in this great ministry. We want to see an indigenous reformed movement in the African American community that will fulfill the increasing demand and the Great Commission.

We are very grateful for those of you who are supporting us and we welcome new partners. I continue to covet your participation with us in this vital ministry. Please consider supporting us with both your prayers and finances. You may send your gifts to Mission to North America, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 101, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, with the designation "African American Ministries." Further information about the ministry of MNA can be found on our website at www.pcamna.org, where you can also donate online.