Generational Influence

My whole philosophy of Family Ministry is not limited to biological families. I don't believe that Family Ministries is how adults with children raise children in their home. I DO believe that is a large part, but I believe "Family" Ministries as a much broader spectrum. It's all rooted in the baptismal vows we take when a child is baptized. Family Ministries in my eyes, is how we are united and bound together through Christ. We are made a family.  In baptism, He creates within us the calling to care for our children. If you've stood and proclaimed and "owned" a vow of baptism at any point in your life, there is absolutely no excuse for you not to be investing in someone who is younger than you. Period.  That sounds harsh, but it's our biblical mandate... and you've agreed to do it.

Growing up, I had multiple men and women who took their baptismal vows seriously and invested in my faith very intentionally. Some of them were women 30 years older than I, some were men who were just a few years older. I felt (and still feel) loved, encouraged and equipped by this "cloud of witnesses" around me in Greenville. I had women who invested so much time in meeting with me, pouring into me and even those who would hand-write a note to me every week. These are the women who have dramatically impacted my faith. While statistics show that children's number one faith influences are the mother and father, the third on the list are "spiritual mentors". My parents indeed shaped my identity in Christ and taught me the most foundational truths about Jesus Christ, but those women came along side of me and helped me develop what that looked like. They encouraged me in my gifts and eventually were the women who prayed over me as I was going to college, and accepting a call into ministry. These women washed my feet in high school, they made themselves available in times of crisis and comforted me in times of complete darkness and doubt. These are still the women I'm in touch with for encouragement, for discernment and for prayer. The Lord placed them in my life years ago and I am forever grateful for the ways they have shown me what the heart of Jesus looks like...and how they continue to do so even when we are not living in the same state. Because of their intentional influence and love, I want to be that spiritual mentor to someone else! I know how beautiful and beneficial it can be and I desire that. 

In Psalm 78, it says that from loving the Lord, there is an overflow of DESIRE to tell the next generation of that love. My prayer is that in our congregation, that desire becomes overwhelming. There would be such an outpour from our hearts that we would run to pour into and encourage our children, youth and younger generations with the grace and love of Jesus Christ.

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,

    of your saving acts all day long—

    though I know not how to relate them all.

¹⁶ 

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;

    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

¹⁷ 

Since my youth, God, you have taught me,

    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

¹⁸ 

Even when I am old and gray,

    do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Take a moment and think about the people who spiritually helped raise you. What can you take away from that person to begin investing in others? If you're not dead, you're not done. Take advantage of the season that the Lord has put you in! We are called for a life of community, not only a community that you gain from- but a community in which you give of yourself to encourage others, regardless of age or generational gap.