The current generation of African-American young people is expected, by their peers and by others, to be...cool. In a commerce-crazy society, their look sells goods, their style inspires goods and their music is goods. How else would you explain "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp," being named Original Song of the Year at the Academy Awards? All of this, combined with the clash of expectations between parents and offspring, makes it decidedly complicated for today's African American young people to receive and respond to a call to ministry.

Ministry is not cool. Doing ministry on television or becoming wealthy while doing ministry may be cool. But black Generation Next knows and understands that the vast majority of true disciples can expect to work very hard for modest pay while having to explain themselves to peers, family and former professors. Further, blacks in ministry are not a 21^st century achievement; African-American ecclesial leaders have walked with us all the way from the 18^th century. Ministry may be less attractive because it breaks little new ground. Finally, celebrating ministry is a challenge because one of our race epitomizes ministry. What's a young black minister to achieve that King hasn't already accomplished?

And then there's that pesky problem of what the 'grown folks' expect. As black America's focus on religion begins to blur around the edges, as we begin to question whether education truly is the key to our future, as the age-old value systems begin to lose their grip, perhaps we should not be surprised when some announcements of seminary plans receive a response of, "You're going to school for three more years for that?"

This is the unfortunate news. But since Jesus is involved, there is good news as well in every area where there is struggle. Despite it all, a respectable number of black young folks today are thrilled with the notion of a seminary education. According to them, if budding entrepreneurs can go to business school, then budding pastor/preacher/teachers can go to seminary. According to them, God invites further education in every area: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed (II Timothy )." If the age-old value systems are losing their grip, then they need to be updated and reinstated, and who better to do this than those in our communities who are theologically trained? And, if black America's focus on religion is beginning to blur around the edges, this has not escaped the notice of young people in our community who are starting to object loudly to the prosperity theology, the non-exegetical sermons and clergy ego trips that make sharing community improvement efforts with other segments of the society nearly impossible. If the grown folk object to this line of thinking, then that's their problem.

For many of today's seminary-bound African Americans, ministry didn't just walk with us all the way from the 18^th century, it walked us all the way from the 18^th century. Some of today's young folks are struck by the power of leadership that used the Word of God to speak a people into existence in the midst of the most extraordinary oppression, and they respect that power. For them, King (himself seminary-educated) was not the culmination of this; he is simply prominent in a line of pastors that needs to continue. As far as they are concerned, King was cool.

Another marker of this generation: black women in ministry are on the rise as changes in gender-based assumptions begin to penetrate even the Deep South. Historical research on black women in ministry reaching back into the 18^th century and even further back to black women as healers and spiritualists in early African history allows these young female pastors/preacher/teachers to perceive themselves as part of a long, proud line as well.

Today, the decision of an African-American man or woman to enter ministry needs to be more carefully considered and articulated than ever before. But this is not a bad thing. They are not choosing ministry because it is one of just a handful of available options. They are choosing ministry as a deliberate course against the grain of societal norms that are proving increasingly untrustworthy. They are choosing ministry out of a hunger for detailed study of the Word of God and a profound desire to share what they learn. They are choosing ministry because the visionary leadership of ministers in our communities has been important since "from before," and "where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18)." They are choosing ministry because they want to see church and chaplaincy and counseling done very well. Being cool is not their first concern. They want to be relevant and involved and obedient to God. Many of us 'grown folk' believe they will succeed.