A Church Where The Older Are Teaching The YoungerAugust 27, 2007  You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:1-8) Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1Peter 5:5-6) What overriding important command is being communicated in these texts? These verses are emphasizing the importance of multi-generational local churches where older believers are to teach younger believers. But today we find what I believe to be a dangerous trend of churches segregating themselves by generation - congregations which are exclusively focused to reach a certain generation catering to its needs, interests, and culture. This mono-generational focus weakens the concepts of dying to self and Christian self-sacrifice; it encourages self-centered individualism and a consumer mentality that permeates the ministry and worship of a church. This focus also undermines the rich multi-generational mentoring ministry that God designed for the church to offer believers. The fall out from this trend is that older Christians are losing a sense of their critical role and importance in the church, and younger Christians are losing the ability to learn humility and wisdom. The elderly are often marginalized and the younger are often without support and direction, and both are tempted to look elsewhere for significance and to grow apathetic about the church. What must be done about this trend? At Carriage Lane we must continue to focus on two things. First, we must stress a gospel-driven selfless attitude of considering others more important than ourselves. Each generation should look out for and give deference to the other generation's roles, needs, and interests. Secondly, we must promote mentoring and discipleship relationships between older and younger Christians. I am not advocating a forced system or any particular model. It may look different in every church. But I am saying that the older and younger should intentionally pursue each other in fellowship and seek to develop relationships where mentoring and discipleship takes place. We must buck the trends and resist the obstacles of our day. We must pursue these important commands in Scripture for the sake of Christian growth, the health of the church and family, and the expansion of the Kingdom of God. I am glad to serve a church that seeks to implement these goals. I see more and more older people empowered with renewed purpose to use their time and wisdom to teach and serve the younger. I am happy to observe our younger folks honoring and submitting to those who are older and humbly seeking their wisdom and support. May God continue to help us function biblically as a loving family that takes our god-given responsibilities to one another in the church seriously. Grace and peace, |
