A leader steps forward to carry on the work.
When we started our series on Letters to Young Leaders I stressed the importance of creating a leadership culture where the next generation has a chance to flourish and mature. I quoted Leighton Ford, who says that sometimes leadership in the church is like a banyan tree. This species is known for its extensive, dense branches that don’t permit enough sunlight for young seedlings to grow up beneath it. So Ford asks present-day leaders, “Are we so conscious of our own positions and power that we will stunt the young seedlings who are poised to grow into branches? Will they be forced to move away from our shadow to pursue God’s call to them?”
But as soon as I say that I realize that the path to leadership in the church goes both ways. There is the obvious need for older leaders to foster the next generation but there is also the need for the next generation to step up. There comes a time when every generation needs to say, “With God being my helper, I will help carry on the work.” Our leaders can offer all sorts of training, mentoring and opportunities for leadership but if the next generation is unwilling to take up the challenge it’s all in vain.
The apostle Paul knew this. So throughout his letters to Timothy he encourages his young friend to step up and take on leadership in the church. He reminds him of his calling and giftedness to lead (1 Timothy 1:18, 4:14). He shows him the need for his leadership in the face of false teachers (2 Timothy 2:1–26). And he encourages him to see his responsibility before God and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 5:21). But in our two verses this week he makes his final appeal and points to his “departure.” Paul writes,
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. (2 Timothy 4:6)
The apostle can feel that his death is imminent – that it has already begun, he is being “poured out” like wine on the altar. For the last thirty years he has travelled, testified, laboured and proclaimed the truth of Christ throughout the Mediterranean world. He has been heard, hated, persecuted, whipped, praised and cursed for the sake of the gospel. But all that is coming to a close now and he knows that the next generation must pick up the proverbial torch.
This is the reality that we face at SCBC. While our leaders may not be facing martyrdom, we do realize that our time of responsibility is drawing to a close. The question now is, “Will the next generation step up to the challenge?”
We love to sing a song by Hillsong United entitled, “Hosanna”. We sing the second verse with great enthusiasm – “I see a generation, rising up to take the place, with selfless faith, with selfless faith.” I often pray when we sing that, “Make it so Lord, make it so.”
Praying with you that every generation will take their place in the leadership of his church,
Pastor Tom