I was going to write a few posts on GC09. I have several things to say, but I have decided that this post will be it. Mainly because, well, to be quite honest I was going to rant about a couple of things and there is no value in that.
That said, I am going to attempt to process one area of concern I have and let you in on that process here. As I said before, overall I am encouraged about the future of the church and of the Assemblies of God. We have some great leaders and there were some significant steps taken in the right direction two weeks ago.
However, there is something that I am struggling with. From the discussions held in the business meetings and on Twitter and in the blogs, I am not the only one struggling here.
The AG and the leadership of the church in America is not getting any younger. In fact, it seems there is a generation or two that is clinging to positions and power with a near death grip. At GC09 more resolutions were presented in an attempt to bring in some younger leaders to the bodies of influence within our fellowship. There were even a couple of people elected into these groups; token at best, but elected in nonetheless. Truth is, nothing changed among any of the highest levels. The resolutions were discussed and tabled for another two years. My concern is two-fold: first, we just keep putting off actually doing something; second, the solutions that are being offered are quotas and don't change anything really.
Adding more people to a body that at times is already too big and bureaucratic isn't going to be effective. Plus, it doesn't really change the complexion of that body. Trying to change things with mandates and resolutions from the top down often just centralizes things more and can have the reverse of the intended effect. It seems that the real answer is for those currently holding the positions to mentor and raise up the next leaders and then step aside gracefully instead of holding on for decades. Term limits definitely seem like a better step in the right direction than age, gender, and ethnic quotas. Why is it so hard to look across a room at the District level and find those with energy, vision, and anointing and give them the opportunity to lead? Why do we allow ourselves to become comfortable and complacent to the point of hanging on too long and allowing others to do so as well?
I honor and appreciate the generations that have gone before. Those men and women that have paved the way are a tremendous source of wisdom and guidance. I frequently seek out the counsel of those with more experience than me. That doesn't mean, however, that the roles of leadership should be held solely or mostly by only those with so many decades of experience. I would contend, that the ones who willfully and intentionally step aside and let the generations after them step up and even encourage that will have more influence and a greater legacy than the ones who hold on to position and titles.
I don't have a program oriented solution or one that can be easily "RESOLVED" after a few "Whereas" statements. I do believe that we must each examine our hearts and ask if serving is our real motivation or is power and political position? If it is serving, then we will do so wholeheartedly and understand that seasons change and come and go. If it is power, title, and position then we will strive and claw to get there and then hold on for as long as we can get away with it.
Maybe the best, most effective, and influential leaders are those who give it all away and raise up the next generations.
Feel free to weigh in... what are your thoughts?
Showing posts with label General Council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General Council. Show all posts
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
General Council
I will have a couple of posts that reflect some of my thoughts and impressions from General Council (GC09)in Orlando two weeks ago. In this first one, I will hit some of the overall things and the tone etc. In other posts I will address a couple of specific issues regarding decisions and business conducted.
Overall, GC09 was a great event! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Everything except the registration was run very well and quite organized. Not sure what happened at registration, I have attended Councils before and never had to stand in line for more than a few minutes to get through, especially when we were pre-registered. I was in line for almost an hour and a half and know of some who did so for over three hours. Oh well, I wouldn't want to be in charge of processing 29,000 people.
The Kids Council registration was excellent. They took pictures of the kids and of the parents and even fingerprint scanned the parents. After that, parents signed their children in and out via fingerprint and then received a printout with pictures of kids and parents. That print out had to be turned in and the child's sticker placed on the paper before a parent could leave the area with a child. Very secure and very well done.
The children's workers were wonderful. They engaged the kids and they showed great energy even when I know they were tired. There were field trips in the mornings, activities in the afternoon, and children's services in the evening. My girls loved it! They made friends and they came away telling us about the Bible lessons learned and singing the worship songs. They are already asking if they can go to Kids Council again in two years. Very cool.
The exhibit hall was impressive. It was very hi-tech with computers and video screens everywhere. There were interactive media displays and a couple of stages set up to try out new audio/visual gear from Yahama and even record in a studio set up.
As part of the exhibit area, there was a Eurasia Experience that took you through a full production starting as if you were going through an airport and flying overseas. It walked you through a couple of areas that gave the feel of being in various parts of Eurasia and ended with a great program.
There were a couple of schedule changes that were really nice this year.
On Wednesday, the Youth and Kids Councils had their normal evening services, but there were no adult services. This was designed to give parents a night out alone. Great idea. (We took advantage and had a very nice meal at one of our favorite restaurants.)
On Thursday night, there was a combined Youth and Adult service with elements geared toward each. It was an amazing evening. There is not much that compares to radical and passionate praise taking place across generations in one place. A few rows in front of us was a lady well advanced in years and dressed traditionally. At the front of the room and scattered throughout were teens and young adults. On stage Jeff Deyo was leading worship. There were moving lights, giant screens, and motion graphics. This dear woman had both arms raised fully engaged in worship of God, and so did the thousands of young people as they jumped and shouted! Across the room, people of all ages proclaimed dedication and praise of the living God in one voice. Awesome!
The overall tone of the Council was very good. I am encouraged about the future of the Assemblies of God, but more importantly about the future of the church. This wasn't just about our specific fellowship as moves were made and things were done and people represented that go beyond a labeled group and have Kingdom significance. I walked away challenged and encouraged. God is doing something incredible around the world and we are privileged to be a part of it.
Overall, GC09 was a great event! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Everything except the registration was run very well and quite organized. Not sure what happened at registration, I have attended Councils before and never had to stand in line for more than a few minutes to get through, especially when we were pre-registered. I was in line for almost an hour and a half and know of some who did so for over three hours. Oh well, I wouldn't want to be in charge of processing 29,000 people.
The Kids Council registration was excellent. They took pictures of the kids and of the parents and even fingerprint scanned the parents. After that, parents signed their children in and out via fingerprint and then received a printout with pictures of kids and parents. That print out had to be turned in and the child's sticker placed on the paper before a parent could leave the area with a child. Very secure and very well done.
The children's workers were wonderful. They engaged the kids and they showed great energy even when I know they were tired. There were field trips in the mornings, activities in the afternoon, and children's services in the evening. My girls loved it! They made friends and they came away telling us about the Bible lessons learned and singing the worship songs. They are already asking if they can go to Kids Council again in two years. Very cool.
The exhibit hall was impressive. It was very hi-tech with computers and video screens everywhere. There were interactive media displays and a couple of stages set up to try out new audio/visual gear from Yahama and even record in a studio set up.
As part of the exhibit area, there was a Eurasia Experience that took you through a full production starting as if you were going through an airport and flying overseas. It walked you through a couple of areas that gave the feel of being in various parts of Eurasia and ended with a great program.
There were a couple of schedule changes that were really nice this year.
On Wednesday, the Youth and Kids Councils had their normal evening services, but there were no adult services. This was designed to give parents a night out alone. Great idea. (We took advantage and had a very nice meal at one of our favorite restaurants.)
On Thursday night, there was a combined Youth and Adult service with elements geared toward each. It was an amazing evening. There is not much that compares to radical and passionate praise taking place across generations in one place. A few rows in front of us was a lady well advanced in years and dressed traditionally. At the front of the room and scattered throughout were teens and young adults. On stage Jeff Deyo was leading worship. There were moving lights, giant screens, and motion graphics. This dear woman had both arms raised fully engaged in worship of God, and so did the thousands of young people as they jumped and shouted! Across the room, people of all ages proclaimed dedication and praise of the living God in one voice. Awesome!
The overall tone of the Council was very good. I am encouraged about the future of the Assemblies of God, but more importantly about the future of the church. This wasn't just about our specific fellowship as moves were made and things were done and people represented that go beyond a labeled group and have Kingdom significance. I walked away challenged and encouraged. God is doing something incredible around the world and we are privileged to be a part of it.
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