SOME WORDS TO THE GENERATIONS

TO MY GENERATION OF MINISTERS AND YOUNGER

Preach the Word, preach Christ, and if necessary share where you have been, but not what you have yet conquered. I understand transparency and accountability are important, but you do more harm than good to your flock, yourself, and your family if you wear your unprocessed emotions on your sleeve. Plus, it is important to have a few close relationships for accountability and covering sake. Among such few relationships I personally know, gleaned, and reaped the blessing of having a spiritual father in my life who is tried and true.

When we live void of this truth concerning what we choose to share and not prematurely speak of things that have not yet come to fruition in process, it can easily become a snare and an inroad of Satan to take advantage of an area that you’ve not covered nor proven with spiritual armour.

Proverbs 29:11 KJV A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

TO AN OLDER GENERATION OF MINISTERS

Just because a young person may have a gift or you recognize them as an asset to your part in the ministry, don’t be hasty to lay hands and commission them to a platform they are not proven for. Indeed there may be a lack of youthful zeal among your congregation, but don’t forsake proven and biblical wisdom. Both are needed but it is wisdom that ought to be a guide and not the other way around. Because zeal left to itself can go all sorts of ways that lead unto destruction, missing the mark of further fruitfulness and Kingdom effectiveness.

I understand the phrase that God doesn’t call the equipped but equips the called, but neither does He forsake the gift of PROCESS unto proven character that emulates the likeness of Christ. Ah, there’s the word…CHARACTER. Not characteristics, but an attribute that entails integrity and helps further develop a godly personality which in all strengthens one’s security, not in themselves alone, but in Christ in them…the hope of glory and a faithful steadfast future. Consider what the Apostle Paul says concerning Timothy in Philippians 2:22, “But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father, he served with me in the gospel.” Notice Paul did not say a proven “gifting”, but character. Character knows how to Stir Up the gift, but the gift does not know how to stir up Character. It’s not the gift’s job, it is the job of Process, as guided by the same Holy Spirit. It’s process to the innermost dealings that come both directly and indirectly through others who are also proven. Proven people help prove or APPROVE people before God and man.

One of the greatest feats we are seeing in our you generation today is the manifestation of Insecurity Unhinged all because of a lack of genuine fathers.

I recall many years ago at a wedding reception where there was an open mic for whoever wanted to speak blessings and words of encouragement and advice to the newly wedded couple. Well some, including myself, who were all not married yet had something to say. Later in the evening, I heard someone who had been married for many years make a remark saying “I find it interesting that those who’ve not experienced marriage all had advice to share about marriage.” Though this was true, I then immediately thought to myself, how that it is more interesting and perhaps telling that those who have been married for many years, did not have anything to say. Especially to a young couple about to embark on the second-greatest covenant of their lives! Second to one’s covenant to Christ.

I share this story to prove my point and that is, where are the voices of true mothers and fathers?? As the Apostle Paul said in the scriptures, “There are many teachers but not enough fathers.” (1 Cor. 4:15)

I can’t fully blame my generation if they were brought up fatherless, however when it comes to ministry, let’s not look to those on tv to be our “role models” and look to Christ and those proven enough to be sealed in scripture. Let’s pray for fathers who’ve been proven because we need of such relationships. One can not have a relationship through their phone…they must take the time to meet face to face and walk together step by step.

As for me, I’d been blessed beyond measure, but in my observation of looking for the root of the matter, this is just a word to the wise and those seeking for such to consider, pray, and take whatever steps necessary to perhaps not run as fast, and reevaluate the kind of steps one is taking in their own life and leading others in their own leg of The Ministry.

We don’t need Eli’s or Saul’s; we need God-fearing, selfless men and women of God who are willing to correct and guide in part of training UP a generation.

TO MINISTERS CALLED PARENTS

One last thought now for Ministers on the home front (Parents). From how our Western society defines it, there is no such thing as an “Adolescent Period” where we allow those between the ages of 13 and 18 to go off to discover themselves as we as parents lift off our involvement to bring corrective guidance. This approach has harmed children and helped give license to parents seeking to be their kid’s best friend more than their parents. This also has catered to the confusion and insecurity of gender, purpose, and calling. I am not saying a child must be a carbon copy in occupation of the parent, but what I am saying is that we find in scripture, especially with Jesus (who we are called to be like) that at the age of 12, He was aware and felt a sense of responsibility towards His Father’s business though He Himself did not enter into The Father’s business just yet. There is so much more I can share on this topic however never refuse to lead by consistent presence, words, action, and example. Don’t leave a generation to try to figure it out on their own, but be a part of the process while not being Holy Spirit jr, but be a father, be a mother, be one who God entrusted to train up children unto men and women of God. If you do so, you not only add rest to your own soul, but you offer a nudge that will last through your child’s years to walk confidently in the ways that God ordains.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37

Psalm 18:30 NKJV

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.