.jpg) “Young man, don’t let the devil rule your life!” said the TV preacher. It was about 1 am and I was busy feeling sorry for myself. I put on the TV to watch an old movie and escape from my worries for a couple of hours. The last thing I wanted to do was to listen to a TV evangelist. Bit I was also too tired to get up and change the channel. (This was before remote controls!) Whatever he was preaching about, I’ll never remember, but this statement had absolutely nothing to do with his sermon. But I do remember that it was like God speaking directly to me. More than 30 years later, I still remember the experience vividly. It was a personal wake up call to not waste my youth.
It is amazing how well meaning Christians are able to marginalize and discourage young Christians: “You can’t really understand unless you are married…/have your own children…/gain more experience…/get more training…./settle down in life…/grow up….” The arguments are pretty much the same around the world. Decision making is often left up to the older ones who want young people to then do their bidding. On the other hand, young people often feel that older generations are out of touch with the fast paced modern world and unable to understand and react to modern trends and gadgets. (Probably true for the most part!) The result in such cases is estrangement in families, churches, and society in general. Sometimes when older people try to act young, (regardless of their reasons!) young people wonder why they don’t just act their age!
This apparent “clash of the ages” doesn’t have to be. The Kingdom of God offers the possibility of both groups working together to reach all peoples with the gospel. Paul’s relationship to Timothy is an example worth exploring. Not just does he remind him to “let no one despise your youth”[1] but he also empowers him with responsibility, authority, decision making competence, financial delegation and spiritual ministry including preaching, teaching, and praying! He entrusts him with the leadership of his favorite church in Ephesus – even though we know there are capable elders there.
The reason Paul and Timothy are so effective as a generational team has to do with the careful and deliberate nurture of their relationship. Paul was intentional in his training of Timothy as a leader, and invested the time and wisdom needed to develop Timothy’s skills and gifts. He did not leave that development to chance or to others, but invested himself into his life. This produces a great deal of respect from Timothy towards Paul. During the training period, Paul continually entrusts Timothy with short term responsibilities, from the mundane to the spiritual. They shared a trust and respect for each others ministry and competence. That is a major key to successful transition of ministry to a new generation – spending time together in ministry and encouraging each other by participating in each others vision and call.
To older ministers, I encourage them rather than delegating youth ministry to young people – to do youth ministry with young people. Recognize the value, strength and energy young people bring to the church and to world missions! Embrace their gifts and callings, their abilities in modern technologies and encourage them to channel it all in creative ways into the Kingdom of God! Provide them with opportunities in short term missions’ experience, and discuss the lessons learned with them upon their return giving them the platform to communicate their successes with the church.
The majority of the world is under 25. Most Christians make decisions for Christ between the ages of 4 and 14. This needs to be a major focus of the ministry of a church dedicated to growth and multiplication. This is a people group that thinks and acts globally more than older generations assume. Let us not waste this opportunity, but let us focus on young people released into ministry and rejoice with them in their successes, encourage them in their failures (rather than condemning them), and instruct them faithfully in the foundations of the Gospel. Remember, the youth of today are the church of today!
Brad Thurston
Director, Globe Europe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] 1 Timothy 4.12 |
