Generation to Generation - 1 - Hallmarks of a Church in Transition

Sharing My Heart

Been here for 10 years.

Being called to shepherdAs a new father learning to parent among older fathers and mothers in a church

Ephesians 5:25–27 ESV

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Acts 20:27–35 ESV

27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

The way of the Chief Shepherd

1 Peter 5:1–4 ESV

1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

A church in generational transition

Our church gathering together goes back 50 years to a living room Bible study in Harry and MaryLou Carnahan’s home. Since then we’ve gone through a few transitions- some exciting and some not exciting. The church we are today in many ways is nothing like the church that started. This is not happenstance but an essential part of growth. Over the many years, many who came into this church as young college students , colleagues on a jobsite or correctional facility, or couples in their 20’s are now grandparents and retired mostly from daily employment.

They are now watching a whole new generation where they started.

There is so much different about the changing world this new crop of families has to walk through, and the generation that begun this local church is facing a whole new set of life considerations than before. This is life.

but there is so much which is meant to remain the same through the shifts.

This Z-enniel generation/ Gen Xoomers

- is the first generation to entirely grow into marriage and family life with personal devices that are relationship tools./ face to face engagement, stable careers

is one marked by mistrust . Clear communication and well-being are higher priorities. / Hardwork and dependability were \

Cause, mission and purpose matter most. Doing your job, showing up, commitment

A church that:

Seeks the Kingdom first: Donovan’s series articulated this amply. . We are drawn into transformational change personally and collectively. We become a distinctive people- not because we are Christian, but because we represent His kingdom and actively pursue it

Is focused on the future: Making disciples from scratch. Raising a new generation to live matters equally as much if not more than living out our current generation’s maturity paradigm.

Learns Backward, Lives forward - Teaching and passing on of testimony that helps and energizes faith for what is ahead in God. Honors and receives instruction well from previous generations.

Plans for Change: Intentionally passing the baton. Unfreeze - Change - Refreeze (repeat). Growing Trust. Learning to risk well. Example-Partnership-Succession

Is released to serve with joy : both young and old must be released to serve God with gladness in their existing state. Older ones released to pursue the call of God in new and fresh ways within the church family while pouring into the next generation. Young ones dreaming big and taking on hard things; spurring on the older generation to live with vitality with their support..

LOVE COMPELLED We must be compelled by love (

Revelation 2:4 ESV

4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Love one another fiercely and without reservation. (

John 13:34–35 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Cover a multitude of sin

1 Peter 4:8 ESV

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Honor the work of God in one another. Prefer others more highly than self

Ephesians 5:32–33 (ESV)

32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Philippians 2:3 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Romans 12:10 ESV

10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

John 13:34–35 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Ephesians 4:1-2 Ephesians 4:11-16, Ephesians 4: 22-25

Ephesians 4:1–2 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:11–16 ESV

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:22–25 ESV

22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Contend Well for the faith( Jude 3-4). Don’t let ancient boundaries be moved( Jer 6:16, Prov 22:28). Teach the Word( act 6:4, 2 Tim 2:15) . Keep the Testimony( Rev 12:11,

Invite and posture ourselves to receive the fresh wind (RUACH)of God. (Ezekiel 37:3-7)Receive the renewal of God’s Spirit. Be full of the Spirit.(Eph 5:18, Jude 20)