Preparing the Next Generation: There is No Success without a Successor
One of the greatest satisfactions of ministry is knowing that the evangelistic progress we've achieved will outlive us. The church that was once planted with great effort and many tears will remain open and relevant as long as the pastor takes care to prepare successors who will continue to carry on the vision.
As in a relay race, the runner carries the baton, an element that represents the fluid transition between runners and continuity, and carefully passes it to the next team member. In ministry, the baton is the burning torch of the gospel. The pastor is the lead runner who trains those who will follow and allows them to run alongside him or her so as not to lose momentum. At the opportune moment, the next runner takes the torch and continues.
The sustainability of each congregation depends on the ability to prepare others for the Great Commission. We have the supreme example in our Lord Jesus Christ, who prepared twelve disciples to begin the great task of evangelizing humanity. In John 14:12, Jesus told them: “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever believes in me, the works that I do will he do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to the Father.” Jesus knew that the Great Commission would require the message to be preached to the ends of the earth, so many messengers would have to be trained to multiply themselves.
Today, the Lord calls us to multiply and to continue the process that began with Christ to our present: from Christ to his disciples, from the disciples to Barnabas, from Barnabas to Paul, from Paul to Timothy and many trusted people such as Lydia, Phoebe, Titus, Priscilla, and Aquila, and from them to us. In this way, the Church has remained alive in every generation.
Dear Pastor, what are you doing to prepare your successor? I encourage you not to limit yourself. Multiply yourself into many and send them forth. Trust that they will do greater things in Jesus' name.
