The Baton

I feel as if my mind is turning into mush due to all the information I am learning at a very fast rate! Consequently, I will be writing many blogs!! During my experience at Zion and at ECC one thing I have been learning about more and more is the baton of leadership. The baton of leadership that I am speaking of is when the time comes for one to pass on their roles and responsibilities in leadership to someone else, especially in ministry. This can involve passing the baton from one person to another, or even on a bigger-scale from one generation to the next. I have been exposed to the tension that arises when the baton is passed from individual to individual and generation to generation.

First, I will talk about this being seen from individual to indivdual. This summer I am challenged that when the time comes for me to leave Olympia to pass off all that I have learned to someone else. From my observations in ministry, I have seen some pastors or different leaders poorly pass the baton of leadership to their successor. An example of this is seen when a pastor or leader in ministry centers their entrusted ministry around themselves and their own personality rather than the Gospel or their community. How selfish and arrogant is that! Yet, how easy it is to do this especially in a society where this is so prevalent! Some examples of this is seen in sports organizations where a David Wright or Jose Reyes are deemed the face of the NY Mets. Or, how Miley Cyrus/ Hannah Montana is the face of disney. Centering an organization or ministry around specific personalities only brings temporary success and is extremely risky! What happens if David Wright or Jose Reyes have long-termed injuries? What happens when Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus grows up (which is already starting to occur)? Today I have sat and pondered this for over an hour. In all trasparency, the pride that at times wars within wants the students at staff at ECC to feel the effects of my absence in August. How ugly my flesh can be! However, God's grace enables me to yearn for a ministry that is Christ-centered and to desire a smooth pass off of the baton of leadership to my successor in all areas of my life! Our pride and arrogance wants us to grasp the baton with all our might! Our pride and arrogance wants others to feel the effects of our absence! Our pride and arrogance wants to create a ministry that is self-centered and personality driven! But, Jesus is earnestly crying out for those who will center their entrusted ministry around Him and His sheep. Let this continue to be the cry of my heart these next 3 months as well as all the days of my life.

Furthermore, I am seeing the reluctance and fear of one generation passing the baton of leadership to another. This is especially seen in the pass off of the generation that is in their 40's to 70's to my generation. (to be continued)