A Lesson From an Elder: Guide the Next Generation
Posted in Brandon's Posts, Following God 1 comments
Tonight at church we had an Elders meeting (I get to go since I'm on staff). This meeting went along much like any other monthly meeting. We discussed much of the same stuff that is discussed every month.
Have there been new people at church and what do we need to do to make them feel welcome?
What needs are there?
Small amounts of joking at the craziness of our lives.
But at this meeting something stuck out to me. Thinking about it, this isn't the first time it was brought up but it really struck a chord tonight.
There is an elder at our church who is now 80. This man has helped this congregation grow and has a great love for the church and for our Lord. He has a lot of wisdom that has been brought about by many years here on earth and I look up to him greatly.
Tonight he said, "I really feel we need to be praying about the young people in this church so they can come to a place to lead the church." Now when he says "young" that's a kind of relative term. After making the statement he referred to some people who are 10 or 15 years older than I am, but I guess that makes them 35-45 years younger than him.
Since being at this church (its been just over a year) I have noticed his passion for raising up "young" people to raise the church. It is definitely something I can jump on board with and I see the desperate need.
I've seen several churches cease to exist because all those who cared about it died and there was nobody left to take up the charge.
We need to be passing along the message of Christ and His cause. It is our duty to pass it along to our peers but we must also pass it along to those younger than us.
In Deuteronomy 11:19 God instructs the people of Israel to "Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." He was talking about the commands of God.
I know not everyone has children but the principle stands. If we are not teaching God's commands letting our passion for Him pour out of our lives in everything we do, there will eventually come a time when there is nobody left to take up the cause.
Get involved in your church's children's ministry.
Volunteer to help with youth events.
Read the Bible to your children and pray with them.
Find a person younger than yourself, and take them under your wing to help them along where you have been.
It may seem awkward to think about or even a little strange to start out if we are not used to it, but the need is there. Don't let the next generation (whether that is a person 15 or 50) pass by without you making an effort to guide them to spiritual maturity.
It really is up to you.
Have there been new people at church and what do we need to do to make them feel welcome?
What needs are there?
Small amounts of joking at the craziness of our lives.
But at this meeting something stuck out to me. Thinking about it, this isn't the first time it was brought up but it really struck a chord tonight.
There is an elder at our church who is now 80. This man has helped this congregation grow and has a great love for the church and for our Lord. He has a lot of wisdom that has been brought about by many years here on earth and I look up to him greatly.
Tonight he said, "I really feel we need to be praying about the young people in this church so they can come to a place to lead the church." Now when he says "young" that's a kind of relative term. After making the statement he referred to some people who are 10 or 15 years older than I am, but I guess that makes them 35-45 years younger than him.
Since being at this church (its been just over a year) I have noticed his passion for raising up "young" people to raise the church. It is definitely something I can jump on board with and I see the desperate need.
I've seen several churches cease to exist because all those who cared about it died and there was nobody left to take up the charge.
We need to be passing along the message of Christ and His cause. It is our duty to pass it along to our peers but we must also pass it along to those younger than us.
In Deuteronomy 11:19 God instructs the people of Israel to "Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." He was talking about the commands of God.
I know not everyone has children but the principle stands. If we are not teaching God's commands letting our passion for Him pour out of our lives in everything we do, there will eventually come a time when there is nobody left to take up the cause.
Get involved in your church's children's ministry.
Volunteer to help with youth events.
Read the Bible to your children and pray with them.
Find a person younger than yourself, and take them under your wing to help them along where you have been.
It may seem awkward to think about or even a little strange to start out if we are not used to it, but the need is there. Don't let the next generation (whether that is a person 15 or 50) pass by without you making an effort to guide them to spiritual maturity.
It really is up to you.
1 comments:
Most people don't realize this, but discipling students changes your life. Working with the youth ministry at my church for 8 years now has been the most rewarding thing God has ever led me into. Thanks for the perspective!
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