"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” - 1 Timothy 4:12
When Paul placed Timothy in a leadership position, it must have been intimidating for him as Timothy would have been exhorting and preaching to his seniors (1 Tim. 4:12). I think it was hard for the elders to see someone so young join their ranks and even have authority over them. I wonder if Paul knew of the frustrations of some of the elders. I wonder if Timothy had been pressured to step down even after Paul had placed him in a position of leadership.
If you look into the history of Timothy's life, you’ll see that this isn't the first time he was rejected by religious authority. Timothy was only half Jewish. This is why Paul later had Timothy circumcised before going to Jerusalem. Even so, he was beloved in his Christian community. In finding Christ he overcame the rejection of his childhood.
Paul encourages Timothy to not be timid, but rather bold in Christ. I wonder if he had a timid disposition because of the discouraging shame of his past. Garnering the support of his fellow elders must have been paralyzing. Thankfully, Timothy had Paul to serve as a good father in the faith to stand behind him and encourage him onward.
I know so many young men like Timothy. Gifted, yet timid. Anointed, yet out of place.
A couple years ago my church adopted a church that was struggling after a long string of pastors had betrayed their trust. This church was in a rural area just outside our city limits, and most of the congregation was middle-aged or older. Our church adopted this group of believers and, together, everyone set to the work of combining the two different cultures into one church. There were obviously some generational preferences, but we knew that if we were going to do things Biblically, we would need to allow the younger people to contribute their gifts. Enter the plugged-in worship band. A lot of churches deal with generational differences, and unfortunately, many don’t give credit to the new but different talent growing within their congregations.
Some churches, looking to find a middle ground, create a traditional service to satisfy an older generation and a contemporary service to phase in younger members. The two alternative services eventually ends up hurting rather than helping, As Pastor Ross Parsley says in his book Messy Church, “The grandpa and the grandchild need each other. The grandpa needs the grandchild’s energy, vision and hope and the grandchild needs the grandpa’s wisdom, discernment and patience.”
"I know so many young men like Timothy. Gifted, yet timid. Anointed, yet out of place."
Separating a congregation into two parts is not Biblical nor wise. So we gathered the elders and decided to create a new team consisting of a variety of ages within the congregation. Many of the older generation had already been serving but we decided to introduce quite a few younger people and started a rotation. We gave sermons about the importance of being a multi-generational church and we talked about how we wanted to revitalize a culture of worship.
Even so, some people in our congregation still deeply struggled with our new directions. They weren’t just uncomfortable; they were angry. They felt that their values and traditions were being ignored. Unfortunately, their anger focused on one person in particular: the drummer. In their minds he represented all the changes and new ideas as before we started this transition the church only rarely used bongos or a cajon (a box drum).
The drummer was used to this sort of behavior. This wasn’t the first time his gifts had been under-esteemed. This definitely could have been the last straw for him, just another reason to be bitter. Yet in those moments we saw God work through him. With a strong elder backing him he continued serving, played quieter, and formed stronger relationships with his congregation. The angry emails went away and the complaining in the lobby stopped as God began to move.
About a month later we had a night to celebrate our serving team. To my surprise, the elders brought the drummer to the stage and thanked him and apologized for their old behavior. I was stunned. What a picture of letting go of pride in order that God might be honored!
With both Timothy and this drummer, God had a plan to bring them into a position of blessing and gifting. There may be young men or women within your church who have gifts and abilities that have not yet been utilized for the body of Christ.
In some cases, the opposite issue arises. Many older Christians get pushed aside because of a lack of perceived relevancy. Their life experience and practical wisdom is overlooked even though Scripture clearly states that we should go to our elders to receive healing, prayer, teaching and wisdom.
One solution to these generational issues is plural leadership; many of these problems come to an end when we have a rotation of people preaching, teaching, and ministering to others. We need to hear exhortations from both our seasoned elders and our equipped youths. The Holy Spirit will speak from the mouths of both the young and the old if we give them a chance. After all, there is no favoritism in Christ!
Let’s Pray Together:Holy Father, I want to see all of your children as you see them. I want to value all of your children as you value them. Grant me special opportunities to recognize the God-given talents of both young and old saints. Help me to distribute positions of serving without prejudice. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…. (Continue praying as you feel led...)
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