The generational relay race
As much as 2020 was a year of shut downs, frustration and anxiety for so many, it was also a year of creativity, miracles and divine intervention. One thing I have particularly noticed in the region where I serve is that I am beginning to see a transition. The baton of church leadership is being passed on to the next generation, and those handing off the baton are grabbing hold of another baton as they enter a new Kingdom role.
During 2020 God has called several first-time pastors to His churches in Vermont, and they are accepting the call and moving their families to this area to continue the Gospel work that so many have previously given their lives to over the centuries. I am involved in my second ordination council in as many months. God is calling His workers to the harvest field, and they are responding.
The relay of Christian ministry
Dr. Marshall Foster, founder of the World History Institute, calls this the “multi-generational relay race.” Writing about William Brewster and that band of Christ-followers that sailed to the shores of New England 400 years ago, Foster shares that the belief of these Pilgrims was that the new community they were starting would take hundreds of years to really take hold, but they saw it as their calling to lay a groundwork for their children, grandchildren and those to beyond.
This can be compared to a relay race, because each generation faithfully continues on the path set for them by those who came before and, in due time, hands off to those who follow. Each generation must look to the future generations and ensure the message of salvation gets passed on to those who will harken to the words of Hebrews 12:1 and “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Supporting the transition of leadership
This next generation of leaders that God is sending has the heart and skillset to keep the Gospel message flowing into the future. But there is still a role for seasoned saints as the LORD continues to raise an army for His purpose of bringing revival. As God intervenes and moves His people into new positions there are three things that we, the Church, should do to honor Him.
First, we need to celebrate the season God gave us together as a team. God places each pastor in his position for not only a season but a reason. We respect God as we show respect for the pastors who have served faithfully for so long and are being called into a new season of service.
Second, we need to pray fervently for the new pastors God is sending to shepherd His flocks. When the church prays, God moves, and amazing things happen.
And third, let’s make sure to surround the incoming pastor with a support team to assist him and pray for him. Too often when a pastor arrives, the local church views him as a savior. They step back and expect the new pastor to give them a break from serving the community. But God sends pastors into flocks to lead the congregation into service, not to do everything themselves. Be committed to an Acts 2:42-47 model of church, and you will see the impact God will have on your community.
Focus on the future
Our time in ministry is short. Scripture tells us our time on earth is but a breath in the scope of eternity (Ps. 90:10). The way we spend our time matters. For generation upon generation, decade upon decade, century upon century, millennia upon millennia, people have accepted and committed to the call of God on their lives and given it all to the advancement of His Kingdom on earth. It is now our turn to pay whatever price needs to be paid to teach future generations. According to Joel 1:3 and Psalm 78:4, this is our duty.
So pour into the next generation, don’t be afraid to hand off the baton, embrace whatever season of ministry God has you in, and pray for the light of Christ to break through the darkness as God continues to draw the lost to salvation.
As we serve out our calling in the Gospel ministry we become part of the foundation of faith that was begun by our Lord Jesus Christ and carried on by so many over the centuries. We are “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20). Over time, future generations will follow us – not so much standing on our shoulders as walking on our backs and pressing us into that blessed foundation, so that all that remains is Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. To God be the glory!
Russ Rathier serves as the Vermont regional coordinator for the Baptist Convention of New England.