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Saturday, October 5, 2013

AGE OLD EXCUSES

Often in our very traditional churches where leadership is held for long periods by a small core of older members, a common reason/ excuse is given for excluding younger adults from leadership. 

That excuse is, "They're not ready."

Other versions of that excuse include:
They haven't gotten far enough in their careers.
They're too caught up in their careers.
They aren't even married.
They haven't been married that long.
They don't have children.
They have young children.
He's/ she's got all them tattoos.
I heard he's been to jail.

That's what they say.

Here's what He says:  
Ecclesiastes 4: 13     Better a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.  14     For he comes out of prison to be king, although he was born poor in his kingdom.

When you get to the point that you know it all backwards and forwards and “They can’t tell me how to do this job.  I”ve been doing this for ___ years,”  at that point you know so much that you can no longer be admonished.

At that point, you know too much to stay in that position. 

If you prefer, look at it like this:  It’s time for a new challenge.

In the Methodist tradition, bishops admonish preachers “Not to stay in one place longer than you ought.” 

That’s fine advice for lay leadership, too. 

And, no.  The new up-and-comers don’t know all that you know.  But that’s your fault.  You should have already shared your knowledge.   If you haven't trained them so far, then let them learn as they go.   The wise youth will ask when they need help.  They will recognize your value as a human resource.  But, in truth they will need you a whole lot less than you may want to be needed. 

At this point in the church, it’s time to let the poor and wise youth lead.   At this point in the church, it is time to let the poor and wise ex-con lead.  At this point in the church it is time to stop saying that young adults are the leaders of tomorrow.

They are supposed to be the leaders of TODAY.

---Anderson T. Graves II   is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church in Montgomery, Alabama, executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking Organization (SAYNO) and director of rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).


To hear sermons, read devotions, and learn more about the ministry at Hall Memorial CME Church, visit www.hallmemorialcme.blogspot.com .

You can read more on Pastor Graves's personal blog at www.andersontgraves.blogspot.com  .

If this message helps or touches you, please help support this ministry. Send a donation of any amount by check or money order.
Mail all contributions to :
Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Road
Montgomery, AL 36116

1 comment:

  1. This has been my thought for years. I have seen many church memberships fail and some die because of this. And they (leadership) wonder... You know the consensus is that young people don't want to do anything. Well, why would they when they weren't allowed any input in programs and events at hand. This is one of my soapbox concerns and it grieves me to see our Church die unnecessarily. The church my daughter and her family attends her seven year old daughter has a job in the church that she proudly talks about. She says, "Grannie I love my church." Wow. When was the last time we've heard that?Thanks and keep speaking boldly!!!

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