The Baton May Not Be Worth Handing Off

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Ac 20:28 AV)

 

Paul spoke these words as his parting words before he left for Jerusalem.  He and those with him knew in their hearts they would never see one another again.  Paul was headed for imprisonment under house arrest in Rome and would never see these dear saints on this side of glory.  Paul was addressing an assembled body of believers among whom were the elders of Ephesus and the closest of his co-laborers mentioned in verse four.  These men were faithful servants who labored for and with Paul at some point in his ministry.  Many would go on to pastor in works started by Paul.  So, when Paul gives the instruction above, he is giving it as the founder of the work he started.  This is the founding pastor/missionary leaving final words to those who will follow him.  That which the Spirit wishes us to consider is not the charge itself, but the quality of work Paul left behind.  Paul is not asking them to be faithful to themselves and the work because he has not accomplished that which the LORD had for him to do.  Rather, it is just the opposite.  He is charging them to take heed to themselves and feed the flock because he had left them something worth investing in.  There is dual accountability here.  One to the LORD.  Which is the most important.  The other is the founding pastor/missionary.  But I want to look at this not from the one receiving the charge, but rather, from the one passing it off.

Upstairs, in our walk-in closet sits a highchair.  This highchair is a special one.  This highchair was the chair my wife used when she was a baby.  We used it for our own children when we visited with her parents.  Then it ended up at our house for us to pass along to the next generation.  Since all our grandkids are too far away, it will sit there until one of them is married and has children.  Then it will be great-grandma’s chair which they will use.  Having lasted four generations, one would think it would be in a state of disrepair.  Actually, it is almost in like-new condition.  It has been used hundreds of times.  Yet, it has been cared for and maintained.  At the time of purchase, it was most likely a high-end chair.  Solid would with only a few moving parts, this highchair was made to last.  Someone put a lot of thought and care into this highchair.  They made a quality piece.  Not too many of those around anymore.  The point is, my mother-in-law did not pass off a piece of junk.  She handed down something of quality and worth.  She cared for it because it had emotional investments written all over it.  She cared for that chair because it represented people whom she loved, and still loves, dearly.  When she charged her daughter to care for that chair, she was able to do so because of the care she put into it.

What concerns me is the condition of our churches today.  Especially the toll COVID has taken out our congregations.  I am not talking about physical lives.  What I am concerned about is the spiritual welfare of our churches.  What kind of churches will we be handing off to the next generation and what kind of charge can we give them?  It is understandable and acceptable for a vulnerable generation to do the wise thing and stay safe.  The question becomes since we already had an aging congregation and they are now cared for, what are we doing to build on what we had?  What kind of church will there be after COVID is over and our election settled?  What happens if a new administration wages an all-out war on people of faith?  Will there be anyone left to stand?  What happens when we want to start up more ministries, but there is no one to volunteer to labor?  We can look at the future generation and try to assess fault, but the fault lies with the generation handing off the baton.  Our churches are declining.  Well, preacher and older church member, where is your passion to win souls?  Our young people are losing interest in the things of God.  Well, seasoned saints, where is your excitement for the things of God?  Why is it we look back at the good ole days complaining today isn’t like yesterday, yet giving little effort to hand off a work worthy to take heed of and feed?  Paul left his work in the hands of those who followed with such passion because he never ceased to have that passion!  We need revival!  Otherwise, disease and persecution will do us in.