Passing the Baton

The theme of Family Camp this year was "Passing the Baton" to the next generation of ministers. To make the theme all the more effective, the sermon time was split between two ministers: fathers and sons (and one daughter in the faith). I heard some great messages on variations of that theme, and I enjoyed the inter-generational dynamic of the ministers, as well. I chose not to write about the sermons last week, because I wanted more time to digest them.

My favorite night was the Tuesday service on "passing the mantle of the Holy Spirit" to the next generation. Sullivan McGraw preached an "old school" message on Elisha picking up the Elijah's mantle that was powerful; everyone got fired up when he preached on the need to use what God provides. The first thing Elisha did with the mantle was to strike the river and dry up the water. Pastor McGraw challenged us that the gift of the Holy Spirit we've been given is not something merely to carry around and claim to possess. It had better be something we are prepared to use to change the world!

His son, Michael McGraw, took the idea of "passing the mantle of the Holy Spirit" in a different direction. He was a track runner in high school; intrigued by the coverage of the Olympic preparations, he preached about the 4x100 relay runners. He made some great points about passing on a baton to the ones who come behind; to pass and/or receive the baton, it takes four things: sacrifice, humility, timing, and proximity. On a 4x100 team, each runner is clearly talented enough to run each leg. These are all fast guys, but only one of them gets to cross that finish lane--it took all four to get there, but only one has that single moment of victory. The other three runners have to sacrifice that glory to the one who finishes. It takes humility to recognize that, in spite of your work and desire, it may be another who actually crosses the finish line. Timing is involved to pass the baton to another, and there are things that cannot be passed on until the moment of maturity in the next generation. In a race, passing off the baton too early or too late will cost the entire race. Proximity (or closeness) is also necessary to hand off the baton; that implies a relationship between both parties in the baton pass. Younger ministers need to move closer to their older brothers, in order to be mentored and be in a position to receive from them. Older ministers need to welcome younger ministers into their midst, knowing that they will must pass their knowledge and wisdom to the next crop of laborers in God's Kingdom.

Good stuff.