I’m vacationing (perpetual for me) in Hawaii right now with Barack, as in Obama, the presumptive Presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. Well we’re on the same island together anyway. And there are some significant differences between the two of us believe it or not. When all of the tourists spot him they think, Who’s Who. When I wave they think, Who’s He? He’s running for President of the United States of America; I was just appointed a Committee Chairperson for my home-owners association. He’s young; I’m old. Come to think of it, so is his Republican counterpart, John McCain, a fellow septuagenarian. The difference is, he’s running whilst I’m rocking (as in retired).
Think about it. Can you imagine a 71-year-old as Commander-in-Chief? God forbid! I mean isn’t seventy synonymous with senility? What about the atrophying muscles and sagging body parts? After all, “The old grey mare ain’t what she used to be.” Those years of experience, accumulated wisdom and sacrifice can’t compare to a youthful enthusiasm and minimal body fat, can they?
Wait a minute! Obama just turned 48 a week ago, didn’t he? So what if most mornings include an hour-long, full body workout with standing tricep push downs, lying triceps presses with single 15 lbs dumbbells in each hand, shoulder presses, step ups with a high platform, clasping dumbbells, 50 lbs overhead dumbbell extensions and calf raises lifting about 80 lbs? Whew! Do trimness, charisma and youthful enthusiasm a world leader make? Think about it. Would you want a 48-year-old answering the “red telephone” in the White House? God forbid!
Can you imagine a stuttering, 80-year-old prophet facing up to a dictatorial regime and leading an entire nation into the Promised Land (Moses)? Or a 37-year-old annointed as King of Israel (David)? Or a prophet who was taken into captivity as a teenager, but was not to receive the Prophecy of 70 Weeks (Daniel 9) until in his 80’s? Or a 30-year-old anointed as the King of Kings? Or a 40-year-old Pope/General (The Salvation Army)? Or a 71-year-old active Territorial Commander (TSA)?
GOD FORBID?
P.S. Written while rocking…after a two-mile swim and 200 sit-ups, that is.
JN
1 comment:
Interesting post. I suppose the biggest question this has left in my mind is, "What does leadership really look like? Or what should it look like in the church?"
As a salvationist, I sometimes think we think too much about leadership as authority. To be a leader means to be an Officer. Or, if you are an Officer, a leader is someone at DHQ...THQ...IHQ. Obviously I'm making a huge generalization but, to many, the leader is the one with the most authority. After all, don't we have to speak with him/her if we want to get something done or approved?
This is a dangerous way to think, especially in terms of mission, and maybe some of it is the natural result of how our church is structured. But, in spite of our structure, shouldn't the 70-year-old teaching Sunday school - or any other local ministry - be viewed as just as important (if not more)than the man/woman in charge of leading the denomination? One might have more authority in decision making processes but both are essential.
In this light, the 70-year-old General is great and so is a 40-year-old. It's a position of service. What matters is what one does with the position and the authority.
Therefore, extensions or no extensions, ministry continues for those sensitive to the Spirit's leading. And I'm pretty sure that the Spirit doesn't stop leading when one turns 65. The needs are too great.
Bram
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