Augustine’s Dilemma and the call for Discernment in Ordaining Young Clergy
In the early 5th century, Augustine of Hippo was in a tough spot. Writing to Celestine, the bishop of Rome, Augustine needed advice dealing with a church dispute. Hippo’s neighboring town, Fussala, had no bishop to oversee their fellowship. Augustine originally had an experienced presbyter in mind, but he turned down the offer.
Disappointed by the presbyter’s rejection, and anxious to give the Church of Fussala a local pastor, he ordained a young man named Antonius. Antonius had been a reader for church gatherings, but had no experience pastoring. Augustine writes, “The unhappy people, not knowing what was to follow, submissively trusting me, accepted him on my suggestion. What need I say more? The deed was done; he entered on his office as their bishop.” (Augustine, Letter 209.3)
Unfortunately, Augustine would regret this decision. As it turns out, Antonius wasn’t ready, and made poor decisions that hurt the congregation. In turn, the congregation was upset at Augustine. Augustine sympathized with the congregation, recognizing Antonius’ flaws and immaturity, but still wanted a bishop over the area.
“This episode, Augustine admitted, tempted him to withdraw from pastoral ministry altogether. He confessed that ‘so great a fear and sorrow’ tormented him as he feared the spiritual ruin of both the church and its leader whom he ‘supported through imprudence.’”
When looking over early Church history, we can find positive examples of young individuals stepping up to the heavy responsibility of church leadership. Ignatius, for example, praises Damas, a young bishop of the Magnesians. Similar to Paul’s encouragement to Timothy, Ignatius instructs the Magnesian congregation to not look down upon Damas’ youth, and recognize the clerical authority given to him. (Ignatius to Magnesians 2-3) Another example is the great Church Father Athanasius, who was only in his 20’s when ordained in Church leadership.
We see throughout Scripture exceptional young men and women who are given mature tasks in ministry. But the key word is exceptional. I started ministry at a young age, and I currently work in a para-church with young adults, many of whom are in their 20’s. Obviously I believe there is an honorable place for young Christians to be in vocational ministry. But in my opinion, those who have just begun vocational ministry should be limited in what authority is given to them.
The issue isn’t young people in ministry. The issue is giving people positions of power when they aren’t mature enough for such responsibility. The role of pastor, deacon, and elder technically has no age requirement, and as previously mentioned there have been young exceptions. However, these positions of church authority and leadership have typically been reserved for older, wiser, Christians, and for good reasons.
Certain circles of Christianity have made the ordaining of young Christians into pastors a regular practice. Bible colleges are training emotionally and spiritually unprepared students to become pastors too soon after graduating. It’s not that many of these students can’t be great shepherds one day, it’s just that many of them are frankly not ready yet. I would know, because I was one of them!
After two years of full time vocational ministry post-college, one of the best things that happened to me was transitioning part-time and spending a year working a separate part-time job at a restaurant. It humbled me, and I realized just how much I still needed to grow and mature. Sometimes vocational ministry can be a bubble, and for me at that time, going from the bubble of a Bible college to the bubble of full time vocational ministry was unwise.
After graduating, it would perhaps benefit many young, aspiring ministers to spend extensive time continuing to train under older, wiser church leaders. They could still work in ministry, but at a smaller capacity or volunteer basis while working a separate job to pay the bills. They can continue to be mentored, learn their craft, and discern with their mentor how to keep growing and maturing.
So in the case of being a pastor, deacon, or elder, my personal conviction is that such an authoritative role should only be given to a younger Christian if such an individual proves themselves to be exceptionally humble and mature. All church leaders should have such traits, and if an aspiring young leader lacks these traits, they shouldn’t be ordained until they have proven to have grown into them.
Bibliography
Augustine. Letter 209. Translated by J.G. Cunningham. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 1. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1887.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1102209.htm>.
Ford, C. (2022). A Bond between the Souls: Friendship in the Letters of Augustine. Bellingham, WA. Lexham Press.