by Loren Gjesdal
As I write this article, the 2024 Paris Olympics are taking place. Notably absent from the medal podium is the US men’s 4×100 relay team. Despite having the gold medal-winning 100m runner on the team, the US failed to medal due to a botched handoff of the baton.
Think of this in terms of the Christian faith. It has been said that Christianity is always one generation from extinction. If a generation ever fails to pass their faith to the next generation, Christianity will vanish. The same is true of the church and of any congregation. Passing the baton is the commission of the church, especially of her leadership and of every individual believer.
Paul’s example
The Great Commission tells us to go and make disciples — to pass the baton of faith on to others. Often, we think of this in terms of going into all the world, of sending missionaries to foreign lands. Although Paul was the greatest missionary that Christianity has ever seen, he had an individual and local vision for passing on the baton of faith. He spelled it out in simple terms to his protégé, Timothy: “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
As Paul sat in prison awaiting his execution, his mind was turning to the next generation. How would the young church continue once the original apostles were martyred? How would the leadership handoff take place, and who should be commissioned to take the lead in his absence?
Paul’s mind turned to Timothy. Paul had identified him years before as being full of leadership potential, a godly young man with a heritage of faith, a knowledge of the Word, and a willingness to serve (1:5, 6).
In Acts 16, Paul meets Timothy. He invites him to continue with him on his missionary journeys (vv. 1-3) and, after being chased away in Berea, leaves him behind to continue the ministry of the Word there (17:14). Throughout his epistles, Paul mentions Timothy as one he sent on his behalf to Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 1:19); Philippi (Philippians 2:19); and Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:2). These were ministry assignments of significance and genuine responsibility, notably entrusted to a relatively young man: “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12).
The US men’s 4×100 failed, not because they had never seen or heard of passing the baton, but because they did not devote priority time to preparing and practicing the exchange in advance. They thought they could rush the preparation at the last minute, and the results were not good.
Prayer and priority
Throughout the Church of God (Seventh Day) we need to take note of Paul’s success and the relay team’s failure. A generation of godly leaders, teachers, and pastors are nearing retirement, or are continuing to serve out of necessity past retirement age. It is essential for the future of the Church to be actively engaged with the next generation. It’s time to learn from Paul how to bring a young person alongside an experienced person, to pour into them wisdom, knowledge, vision, and the heart of missional engagement, and to involve them in genuine ministry responsibility.
It’s time to entrust to faithful men and women what we have received and to teach them how to do the same to the generation that will follow them. The process should not be rushed or reserved for the last minute. It must be prayerfully initiated, allowing time to mentor, disciple, encourage, and instruct. This is how the baton came down through the ages to us, and this is the template for passing the faith to succeeding generations until Jesus comes.
Worship leader, Sabbath school teacher, children’s ministry leader, elder, deacon, pastor: What person have you identified to pass the baton to? Who has leadership potential and could someday take your place? Is there a young man or woman you could invite to participate in your area of ministry now, to teach them the ins and outs of doing the work well, but especially of understanding the heart behind the service?
Having trouble identifying someone? Then follow Jesus’ insight and instruction: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2).
Pray today for God to raise someone up where you serve and for discernment to recognize them. Then invite them to join you in the work of ministry. Teach them more than just how to fulfill a role or an office. Show them how to pass the baton. They will need to do the same someday as well. Don’t delay and don’t rush the handoff. The mission is too important.
