Pastoral Duo Scott Pace and Shane Pruitt on Discipling and Calling New Ministry Leaders

Our churches are being confronted by a leadership crisis as a record number of pastors are leaving the vocational ministry. The number of people interested in pastoral ministry is dropping significantly. From 1992 to 2017, the percentage of pastors under the age of 55 dropped from 75% to 50%, and the decline continues. God hasn’t stopped calling people into ministry, but many churches have forgotten how to invite members of the body to step into their calling and equip them to do the work they have been given.

In their new book, Calling Out the Called: Discipling Those Called to Ministry Leadership (B&H Books, November 1, 2022), pastors Scott Pace and Shane Pruitt help church leaders invite and prepare those in their midst who are called by God into mission work and ministry. They describe the biblical concept of calling and highlight key steps of preparation for anyone considering pastoral ministry or missionary work.

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More about the authors:

Dr. Scott Pace currently serves as the Vice President of Undergraduate Studies, Dean of The College at Southeastern, and Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years in a variety of full-time and interim capacities in three states. He speaks regularly at conferences and training events that seek to equip pastors and church leaders. Prior to his vocational calling, Scott served in the corporate world as an accountant and the private sector as a business manager. He and his wife, Dana, have been married since 1999 and have four children – Gracelyn, Tyler, and Tessa, and Cassie.

Shane Pruitt serves as the National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). He and his wife, Kasi, reside in Rockwall, TX with their six children – Raygen, Harper, Titus, Morris, Elliot, & Glory. He has been in ministry for over 20 years as a denominational leader, church planter, lead pastor, and student pastor. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies, and a Master’s Degree in History.

Shane is also a traveling communicator, evangelist, and Bible teacher. Every year he speaks to over a hundred thousand people about the good news of Jesus Christ. Shane is also the author of a popular blog, which has over 3 million views. His articles have been picked up by RELEVANT, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, The Gospel Coalition, CrossWalk, Church Leaders, The Baptist Press, FaithIt, HelloChristian, and many others. He is also a monthly guest and contributor on the Point of View Radio Show that airs on over 300 stations nationwide. Shane and his wife, Kasi, were featured as ABC’s Nightly News “Persons of the Week” in August 2017.

Shane has written two books 9 Common Lies Christians Believe: And Why God’s Truth Is Infinitely Better, and Calling Out the Called: Discipling those Called to Ministry Leadership (Release date – November, 2022). Both are available everywhere books are sold. He is also the host of the podcast, Next Gen on Mission (available on podcast platforms), and the YouTube Channel – GenSend.