LETTER TO THE EDITOR

It has been my privilege to serve the Lord in ministry for 69 years. During that time, I have mentored preachers, taught preachers, served with preachers, assisted preachers and loved preachers.

It is my conviction that Todd Brady is absolutely “right on” in his estimation of the young preachers of today (see column in Dec. 5 issue). I have found them likewise to be lovers of the inerrant Word of God, basically conservative in their theology, having a passion for the pulpit and the pew. I have also found that in most cases, the young preachers of today have their priorities in proper order, and are committed to the Kingdom of God, the local church, the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Program, along with having a passion for lost souls. 

Simply because these younger pastors don’t value some of the demographics of the ministry and the church that we older preachers do and did, doesn’t mean that they have lost or never had the passion for the things that matter. It is my interpretation that these younger preachers’ commitment just may be — “The methods will certainly change, but the message and its purpose will never change.” Amen, young brothers. By the way, I’m 87.

— William P. Oakley
Pastor, Enon Baptist, Halls