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).

Email atgravestwo2@aol.com
Friend me at www.facebook.com/rev.a.t.graves

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