It appears to me…

It appears to me that it is time for the church to engage in an open and honest dialogue with the next generation.

Last Friday night, MJ and I had the privilege of spending the evening with an incredible group of young married couples.  Most of them grew up in the same church youth group, but today find themselves somewhat disillusioned with the church or leaving it all together.

These are not young adults with a bad attitude or a “chip” on their shoulder.  They are bright, articulate, visionary young men and women who believe in the church because they remember how it shaped their formative years.  Here’s the question, are we the church willing to invite them into our circle of discussions, recognizing they have something of value to contribute?

Friday also marked the end of an era of Pentecostal heritage in my life as Margaret MacKnight passed away in the city of Toronto.  For many years, Aunt Marg stood by her husband Jim (my uncle) as the stately “first lady of the PAOC”.  Jim and Margaret MacKnight did not live for themselves; they lived for the church.

I am so thankful for the people who believed in a young couple by the name of Jim and Marg.    Someone invested time and energy to help to develop their leadership skills.  Someone else invited a young pastor into discussions about the future of the church.   A significant number of people saw that Jim MacKnight’s vision was what the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada needed back in the early 80’s.  They voted him into a powerful position of leadership that would help to shape a world-wide fellowship of churches.

It appears to me that as one generation dies and brings an era to a close, that the church must prepare another generation to step up to the plate and take the church to the next level of effectiveness.  It is time to invite the next generation of leaders into our leadership circles and engage them in discussions that will shape our future.

Until next Monday…

Don

Taking risks for Kingdom impact!

www.reinventingthechurch.com