There's something to be said about STABILITY and CREDIBILITY. However, those very things can create generational tension for younger leaders who are bursting with new ideas and have a different view of ORGANIZATIONAL allegiance and RELATIONAL loyalty.
What RELATIONSHIP means to my father's generation and my daughters generation can mean two different things.
The younger generation CRAVES a father/son covering. They are not interested in mere institutional independence...they are interested in living and dying for a CAUSE.
They will die for a MAN...but not for an institution. The younger generation of ministers aren't merely seeking for leadership they're seeking for MENTORS to assist them with RESOURCES regarding CHURCH GROWTH MANAGEMENT and RELATIONAL NETWORKING.
Perhaps the key for organizational growth or should we say SURVIVAL is to harness the enthusiasm of our youth through the channels of RELATIONAL MENTORING regardless of the umbrella/affiliation used.
The future of our fellowship is both COLORFUL and without GENDER BIAS. If we are to have any hope of connecting the dots and seeing GENERATIONAL IMPACT catapulted from the launchpad of APOSTOLIC REFORMATION (true father/son principle) then we cannot shove OLD SCHOOL politics and positional agendas down their throats or we'll strangle the last drop of energy out of them...and what then?
We must intentionally EMBRACE
and RELEASE the next generation.
and RELEASE the next generation.
The Scriptures reveal to us that Apostles and Elders were not necessarily chosen because of their age, but because of the favor of the Spirit on them. I believe we must have BOTH EMERGING and ESTABLISHED leadership at the helm...IF we are to avoid becoming STAGNANT and STALEMATED.
The future is bright...It is conceivable to me that a return to the values that launched the Pentecostal movement is certain. Our roots still resonate with a passion for church planting, world missions and raising up new leaders! We are MORE than a preachers union or an institution of self preservation.
We have a PURPOSE and a PLACE in this end time KINGDOM ASSIGNMENT! To achieve it, we must not only RECOGNIZE where we are but we must be willing to use this knowledge to make the SHIFT.
I'm committed to see a REBIRTH in missions and church planting as well as the RISE of a generation that values RELATIONSHIP over structure.
"One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts." Psalms 145:4