The Vanishing Ministry in the 21st Century: Calling a New Generation to Lifetime Service

Tom Brokaw labeled them the Greatest Generation, and for decades the vision and commitment of the World War II generation have changed the world. Christian ministries have flourished, and the gospel has circled the globe because of the lifelong service of the faithful believers in that generation.

But times--and generations--have changed, and today's inheritors of the Great Commission are not signing up for vocations in Christian service at anywhere near the same rate as their immediate predecessors. Given this alarming trend--coupled with aggressive evangelization by other world religions--what's the future of the worldwide movement of the gospel message?

In this updated and revised edition, Dr. Kroll provides a careful overview and able assessment of the condition of Christian ministries. He offers a penetrating look at the current state of vocational Christian ministry and the changes we're making--and not making--around the world. He gives praise for progress made during the last decade and issues a renewed call for ongoing change by asking four key questions:

• How are we really doing?
• How did we get where we are?
• What attitude do we need?
• Where do we go from here?

Woodrow Kroll is general director and Bible teacher of Back to the Bible. He has served as president of Practical Bible College in Binghamton, New York, and as chairman of the Division of Religion at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.