Investing in the Next Generation of Pastors
One of my greatest personal joys is investing in the next generation of pastors. There is nothing like seeing them experience their “firsts” in leading a church. For pretty well my entire ministry, especially the past decade or so, I have intentionally invested in the next generation of pastors.
Investing in the Next Generation of Pastors
Investing in the next generation of pastors is biblical. Moses invested in Joshua, Elijah invested in Elisha, Jesus invested in the twelve disciples, giving more personal time to Peter, James, and John; and Paul invested in Timothy and many other spiritual leaders. This list could be expanded greatly.
Unquestionably, this biblical principle calls all of us up to this challenge. Regardless of our age as a pastor, we always need to ask ourselves, “Who are we bringing along behind us?” Or we could ask, “Who are the younger pastors we are investing in right now?” We need to insure we walk this vision personally, because it is the biblical thing to do.
What Value does Investing in the Next Generation of Pastors Bring?
Let me mention a few things that bring value to this next generation of pastors when we invest in them:
- Partnership: We are partners in the gospel with all God-called Pastors. Each younger pastor needs a more experienced pastor to help partner with him through ministry, especially when he is leading a church.
- Confidence: When we invest in the next generation of pastors, it instills confidence in them. When they go into meetings after we have talked them through the challenges, they walk with a humble confidence. Leaders who walk with a humble confidence are able to be much more effective.
- Accountability: We all need accountability, especially in our younger years. Investing in the next generation of pastors, may help save some of them, and their future.
- Future: Speaking of the future, when we invest in the next generation of pastors, we are not only helping to building their future, but we are also making a huge investment in the next generation. When we began our Cross Church School of Ministry, we knew we would be making a great investment in the future.
Our first class in this one-year ministry residency will graduate in August. The stories are incredible! Their impact will be God-sized. We love them and are so proud of them. If you know anyone interested in joining our school of ministry, point them to this video.
The principle is this: investing in the next generation of pastors. Who are you bringing along?
What do I Benefit?
My benefits are so many they are too great to mention them all, but I will list just two:
- Reverse Mentoring: They teach me so many things while I mentor them. Mentoring is a relationship where they learn from me and I learn from them.
- Joy: They bring me joy. They make me laugh. They make me want to be with them. I love their vision! The other night, we had 30+ future pastors and future leaders in our home. What a joy! The greatest joy always comes when I know God is using them in local church ministry or somewhere around the world.
You never go wrong when you invest in the next generation of pastors.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Glorifying God in Creation
How did we get here? Where are we going? What is the purpose of life? These are questions that have been asked through the generations. Apart from the truth of God’s Word, the answers to these questions fall into the realm of pure speculation. Revelation illuminates. Speculation darkens.
Not Here by Chance
Materialists, if they are honest with themselves, must admit we came from nothing, we are going nowhere, and nothing matters. For the materialist to assert meaning in life, he or she must borrow from a belief system other than their own. To claim no Lawgiver, yet claim a law, is logically inconsistent.
The Bible reveals to us that we did not arrive on this planet by chance, although things are not exactly in tip-top condition. As Ben Trueblood notes, “The Bible gives us a clear picture of the One behind the universe. In the pages of Scripture, we discover the all-powerful, all-wise loving Creator God.”1
God Has Always Been
The first book of the Bible, Genesis, affirms that everything came from God. It may be true there was a time nothing material existed, but it is not true nothing existed, because God has always been. “Before the mountains were born, before You gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, You are God.”2 There has never been a time when God did not exist. He existed, in fact, before time – “from eternity.”
Praise from the Psalms
One writer in the book of Psalms could scarcely contain himself as he burst forth in praise when considering God’s creation:
“Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights.
Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts.
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars.
Praise Him, highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of Yahweh, for He commanded and they were created.
He set them in position forever and ever; He gave an order that will never pass away.”3
God Created All
From the complexity of the DNA code to the vastness of a universe light-years across; from the field mouse to the Tyrannosaurus Rex; from the minnow to the blue whale; from the tiny seed to the mighty Sequoia, God created it all.
Think for a Moment . . . Our God is Real
We are a busy people these days. Think for a moment. When was the last time you have been overwhelmed, like the psalmist, to a passionate praise at the creative power of God? Can you glorify Him in the sunset or does traffic fully occupy your mind?
Sometimes an hour at the lake, on a hiking trail, or bicycling at the local park can restore a joy buried under the frantic pace at which so many of us live life.
We need not fall into the false worship of creation in place of God to praise God. It is His handiwork and points unfailingly back to Him. The universe, as has been said many times, bears the fingerprints of its Creator. And, like fingerprints on chrome, they are very easy to see.
The universe was designed, and the earth was designed. It was designed for humanity, where we would live, move and exist. This is the place we would experience the ultimate love of God in Jesus Christ who died and rose again. Yes, our God is real! To God be the glory, great things He has done!
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
1– Bible Studies for Life, Resilient Faith, Ben Trueblood
2– Psalm 90:2
3– Psalm 148:1-6
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.