In a matter of a very short time, my Father; my Father in Law; and my Mentor all passed away. I remember saying to one of the many Younger Ministers I had mentored...…"I have no more Role Models who are living! Now what am I to do?" Without hesitation this "Son-in-the-Faith" said to me...…"You are now the Role Model; you are now in that place!" Wow! What an eye opener and a staggering realization of just exactly how God created things to "reproduce" themselves! And after 36 years of Credentialed ministry in the Church of God, with 30 of those years being a Lead Pastor, there are times I still feel like the "kid" in the room! But of course, I am not! My new descriptive title is...……"Seasoned-Pastor!" Sigh!!!
Yet it is an interesting anomaly that everything in life reproduces itself except in some cases, Ministerial Leadership. While everything else in the created world looks with eagerness to reproduce itself, and generate a younger version of itself, many Seasoned Pastors look with suspicion upon the Younger Ministers who are following in the pathways that they have cleared. Not all, but far too many, have suspicions of these Younger Pastors weakening and watering-down the faith because of their different ideas and methodologies. They don't use the "proven" methodologies that we "Seasoned-Pastors" have utilized and proven in our ministry. When farmers plowed with horses, they were sufficient for the job. But now, one would have to look far to find a farm today that doesn't use a modern tractor of some brand to do their plowing! The plowing is still getting done! The seed is still being planted! The seed is still growing! The harvest is still happening! And people are still being fed by what is grown! The results are the same, yet better! The times spent in labor has been reduced by the modern equipment as well as the amount of land that can be prepared, planted, and harvested. The process is done much faster and efficiently than with a good ol' horse and plow!
What's so funny is, we never find ourselves as a people looking back on those horses and plows with contempt, but rather with nostalgia and fond memories! Nor do we look upon a tractor and proclaim....."There's that beast that ruined the worlds farming process! We look upon both with honor and respect, and in some cases a bit of nostalgia!
But too often, not always, but far too often; in Ministry Leadership, we look with distain and distrust either on the Younger ministers with their new innovative ways, or upon the Seasoned ministers with frustration on their commitment to older outdated methodologies. Brothers and Sisters, either stance is an affront to God and His created order of "reproduction." In that order, both the "parent" and the "off-spring" are needed and highly regarded as they fulfill their created task!
Seasoned Pastors, not every Younger Pastor with their new and innovative ways is on a mission from hell to destroy the Church and its Biblical truths! Younger Pastors, not every Seasoned Pastor has an unreasonable commitment to outdated methods of ministry! You see, as a "Seasoned Pastor," I understand how we can become creatures of habit to the methodology that worked for us for many years! But as a Mentoring Pastor, I also know that I do not want to keep on plowing with a horse and plow, if a tractor with the keys in it is waiting for me to get the job done! THE BODY OF CHRIST NEEDS BOTH OF US!...….The Older as Mentors and Father/Mothers! The Younger as energetic innovators who have a fresh strategy from the Lord! I have heard modern Praise choruses blended wonderfully with older Hymns in a beautiful symphony of sound! God intends for both the Seasoned and the Younger Pastors to "BLEND" together in that same beautiful symphony of ministry, for His Kingdom advance and the glory of Christ!
Thank you Seasoned-Pastors for your years of faithful dedicated and proven service to the King!......And Come On' Younger Pastors with a brand new TRACTOR to get the job done more efficiently! Younger Pastors learn from us Seasoned Pastors and allow us to Mentor you! Seasoned Pastors....jump on the new Tractor the Younger Pastors provide and experience the RIDE OF YOUR LIFE!
