I think the crusty you have described is just as much in need of the gospel as ever before. To me it is unthinkable that someone who has a genuine relationship with Christ could be so discouraging towards mission. To me their selfishness is a warning that their understanding of their salvation is on shaky ground - now I don't want to be the judge but the bible says "by their fruit you will know them", if there is no fruit (or even bad fruit) then we have to be worried for them.

Paul's call to Timothy is to Preach the Word in season and out of season, and this is more relevant in today's church than ever before! The people in our churches need to hear the message of the cross more than ever, and it should be that message that impacts their lives to reach out in ministry and mission. Just last night at our young adults group we spoke about the "finished work of Jesus on the cross" one of the applications of this study (so obviously rooted in the gospel) was that we should rest from the work of trying to earn favour with God because He has already done that on the cross, but rather devote our time to living a life that ministers His gospel. My challenge was "Don't tell me you understand the finished work of Jesus and then not share the gospel with your friends - if you trust that He has done the work then you must have the faith to proclaim it." See Christians need the gospel to be the basis of their development as well.

At the end of the day I think there are a wonderful group of younger pastors throughout QB that all want the same thing - to see a church that is passionate for Jesus and therefore radically reaching Qld with His gospel. Some are called to plant churches (where they can plant this outward focused culture from the beginning), some have been given pastoral charge over existing churches (and therefore the authority to initiate a change to this culture), and some are under older authority (and raising up youth and young adults with a vision for this culture). All I would love to see is some older pastors (50+) who have authority over older congregations catch the same vision and begin to initiate that change among their people. I think we would do well to accept the call God has given us and not be scared or envious of those in other roles, but rather support one another and pray that in the end God's glory will be victorious!