Be Encouraged: Young Spiritual Leaders are on the Rise
When I look upon the lives of many leaders in their twenties and thirties, I am so encouraged. Young spiritual leaders are on the rise. While I have the incredible privilege to meet young leaders across all denominations, I am mostly connected to what I observe in my own denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention.
What I Observed Yesterday
Pastor Jordan Easley is the Teaching Pastor at Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Yesterday, Jordan preached for me at Cross Church. While I have known Jordan for many years, yesterday I observed him up close and spent time with him over lunch. Jordan was raised in a great family and has had immense experience as a thirty-three year old spiritual leader. His Dad and Mom, Dr. Ernest Easley and his wife, Julie, have demonstrated a strong commitment to their calling, their family, their church, and to our Southern Baptist Convention. What I saw yesterday in Jordan was a young man committed to the gospel completely. I saw him connecting with people in a genuine and loving way. He is a tremendous communicator of God’s Truth.
What I Know About These Young Spiritual Leaders
Jordan is just one of many great young spiritual leaders on the rise. You see, I have the privilege to work with many of them daily. I get to do church ministry daily with one of the best: my son, Nick Floyd. God is using him in so many extraordinary ways. I also think of Prestonwood’s Teaching Pastor, Jarrett Stephens. Jarrett is an amazing young spiritual leader in our generation. I must also mention others that are just as gifted and set apart for God’s service: Jeremy Roberts, Pastor of Church of the Highlands, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Ryan Blackwell, who pastors the First Baptist Church of San Francisco, California; and Chris Johnson, who pastors the First Baptist Church of Van Buren, Arkansas. Where do I stop? I could list a number of men that are just as strong and gifted as the men I have mentioned, all of which I have a strong relationship with and believe in their future. And there are so many other young spiritual leaders that I know of, but have never had the privilege to spend much time with them personally. I love them, respect them from a distance when I see them, and believe in them completely.
As I travel and preach in various conventions, seminaries, and universities, I am so very encouraged. Each time, I walk away with incredible encouragement for the future of the Church. As our own church invests in numerous church plants, I have had the privilege to meet so many younger men sold out to the vision of church planting. While paying the price of becoming proven in their calling, they are rock solid and committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of our younger brothers are committed to pastor existing churches and believe thoroughly their future is in serving an existing church, and give their lives to it. Others are located across the mission field of the world.
Some Commonalities of these Young Spiritual Leaders
Perhaps some believe that the next generation of spiritual leaders is on a downward path, and with that, I disagree completely. With where I go and what I know up close, I am observing a few strong commonalities. They are:
1. Convictionally committed to the inerrancy of Scripture.
They are not only believers in inerrancy, but can rightly defend why they believe it. Thank God for the fabulous seminaries they have attended that have taught and affirmed this in their hearts.
2. Passionately committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Yes, they are centering their lives on the powerful gospel of Jesus Christ. They know the answer is not in “felt needs” or “compromise,” but in the Good News of Jesus Christ.
3. Pastorally committed to the local Church of Jesus Christ.
These men are committed to what Jesus is doing in and through His church. They love the Church. They believe in the bride of Christ. They are giving their lives to service and ministry through the local church.
4. Strongly committed to preaching the Word of God, the Bible.
These men are high believers in their academic preparation, and many have already earned or are about to attain their doctoral degree. When they stand, they preach the Word expositionally and effectively.
5. Enthusiastically committed to the Great Commission of Jesus.
These men are highly enthusiastic in reaching the world for Jesus Christ, beginning right where they are serving today. Their hearts and minds are dominated by reaching people for Christ and discipling them to be like Jesus Christ.
Finally
Therefore, my friend, be encouraged. God is raising up countless strong, young spiritual leaders who will surpass us all. May the favor of God be upon them.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
P.S. This is a major reason we are equipping young spiritual leaders in our Cross Church School of Ministry. We are enrolling our next class right now, and you can find out more here.
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Guest Post: Let the Men be the Men by Jeana Floyd
Today, RonnieFloyd.com welcomes guest writer, Jeana Floyd. Jeana is the wife of Dr. Ronnie Floyd, mother, grandmother, author, and 24-year breast cancer survivor.
I grew up in a pastor’s home. I said I would never marry a pastor, but that is the only life I have ever known. Growing up in a pastor’s home undoubtedly molded much of my thinking as I became “the pastor’s wife.” Much of what I learned in a minister’s home has been resourceful and invaluable. I learned from my father to love the Church and God’s Word. My mother was a wonderful example of a quiet and gentle spirit and served with a true servant’s heart.
One of the greatest lessons and realizations I learned early on as a pastor’s wife was that I was not called to be the pastor. God did not intend for us to bear the burdens of the Church. He has called our husbands to do that. He has called us to walk by their sides and be supportive of their calling.
“Let the men be the men” is a phrase I coined years ago as I challenged our minister’s wives on how to cope with church issues. This is an area where many pastor’s wives get themselves in a great deal of conflict and invite trouble into their laps. When you attempt to take on and solve church problems, you make your husband look like a weak leader. That is not the message you want to send to your congregation.
Usually, men handle conflict and challenges differently. They resolve issues with less feeling and emotion. Men have the ability to disagree completely and go out and play golf together the next day. At times, women tend to hang on to hurts and nurse them for a while before we are able to move on.
I firmly believe that if we will “let the men be the men,” God will use them to lead in powerful ways. God created men to be leaders under pressure. God created men to be less reactionary in difficult decisions. I also believe that God, because He called our husbands into His ministry, will direct them in wise decision making. A Scripture I have claimed for my pastor husband many times when he has faced difficult decisions is this one: “But His secret counsel is with the upright.” (Prov 3:32; NKJV).
At times, all our husbands will face very difficult circumstances. There are certainly times when I am thankful that I am not the one in charge – the one who has to make the tough decisions. God has gifted our husbands as men who can be courageous in the face of those difficult times.
I encourage every minister’s wife, whether your husband is the senior pastor or a support team member, to search your heart, your thoughts, and your actions. Do your actions give the impression that you would really like to be the pastor? That you always think you have a better plan? Do you feel like the man in your life – or the men on your staff team – are not making the right decisions and need your advice? Do you criticize their leadership behind their backs? Do you undermine the decisions of others? Do you cause your husband to doubt his own leadership? Do you enjoy knowing everything about everything whether it involves you or not? Do you make the effort to calm a storm or create one?
God has called your husband to be the pastor, not you. If you will concentrate that energy on loving and supporting your husband and letting “the men be the men,” it will be much more enjoyable and fulfilling to serve as a minister’s wife. Let this be your goal…and “let the men be the men.”
Jeana Floyd
Adapted excerpt from “10 Things Every Minister’s Wife Needs to Know” by Jeana Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.