The body of Christ is supposed to act in a harmonious way because its members belong to one another. Waiting for unity is a sign of obedience to the Holy Spirit, and trying to anticipate its guidance is a fundamental departure from Friends understanding of how the church should conduct itself. —John Punshon

Questions: How do you set personal limits regarding healthy moderation? When have you felt called to confront another person? What was your motivation? How did the conversation go, or did you avoid it? Has God given you a gift you are reluctant to share? What does your reluctance reveal? How might God be calling you to use that gift to benefit others?

I was twenty-one years old when I first started out in ministry. One of the key pieces of advice I got was this: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,” a direct quote from 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV). Almost six years later, that advice frequently comes back to me when things get tough. A challenge young pastors face is discouragement and criticism based on age. I hear it frequently from other friends in ministry. One friend became a pastor at the age of twenty-four, and when he was introduced to a community member, the community member told him his church shouldn’t have hired someone so young.

Perhaps when you think of George Fox and John Woolman, you imagine middle-aged men, but both of their ministries began – and effected revival – when they were in their twenties. God uses whomever possible to deliver a message. Sometimes, younger people can help us break out of habits and rituals we have become accustomed to which no longer help us live faithfully. When God calls us, we must respond, no matter our age and no matter how unlikely or inconvenient it may seem at the time. Paul’s advice to Timothy in this passage continues to ring true. We are called to raise prophetic voices through the ways we live and the ways we preach.

I am blessed with a good church that recognizes and supports my call to ministry. They were open to new things when I came, and we continue to journey together as we read and study the Bible. Because of my experiences with this congregation, I know Paul’s vision is possible – that young pastors can be supported and respected.

To both churches and pastors, I stand with Paul, exhorting you to be open to God’s leading and to pay attention to young leaders rising up. They could be the next George Fox or John Woolman.

–Nathan Perrin in “Friendly Perspective” from 1, 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon; 1, 2, 3 John: The Jesus Movement