There are Christian organizations of which I am aware, that have jettisoned their older staff to make room for younger staff to move into leadership. As a consultant in business I have seen businesses run into the ground by the sons and daughters of the founders. There are exceptions, certainly. One local company had each of the children of the founders paired with an older mentor as they took the reins. That business is thriving in a very competitive environment.
One of the men I admire, called last week. He is approaching 80. He shared with me his wonder and excitement that he is now learning more about the Lord both in quantity and quality than he has in his life.
I am experiencing similar richness.
I think it is for both of us a result of many years in the Word seasoned by multiple attendant struggles. When we read or study a passage, we are seeing and experiencing the Lord through the lens of years and years of extended time in the Word through a lifetime of struggle.
At some point, all of us must step aside to allow those with more physical energy to assume their place in leadership. In doing so we need to ensure that those who are stepping in have been under the influence and equipped by one who has walked the same path they will walk. Those who are stepping in would be well advised to hang on tightly to those who went before, to honor and continue to seek their wisdom honed by experience. One cannot be 60 when one is 30.
Isn’t this the pattern of Scripture? Isn’t that what Paul exhorted Timothy to do in 2 Timothy 2:2?
I am experiencing similar richness.
I think it is for both of us a result of many years in the Word seasoned by multiple attendant struggles. When we read or study a passage, we are seeing and experiencing the Lord through the lens of years and years of extended time in the Word through a lifetime of struggle.
At some point, all of us must step aside to allow those with more physical energy to assume their place in leadership. In doing so we need to ensure that those who are stepping in have been under the influence and equipped by one who has walked the same path they will walk. Those who are stepping in would be well advised to hang on tightly to those who went before, to honor and continue to seek their wisdom honed by experience. One cannot be 60 when one is 30.
Isn’t this the pattern of Scripture? Isn’t that what Paul exhorted Timothy to do in 2 Timothy 2:2?
As a participant with an organization which is seeing to replace the two key leaders within the next two years this is an incredibly relevant post. Thankfully we have a firm succession plan in place, under-girded by considerable prayer and exploration of possible qualified possible candidates. And there will be extensive overlap. We ignore the past to our great peril. The case of Moses and Joshua should help us along the way in this.
ReplyDeleteAmen!!
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