Tipping the Scales with Younger Leaders
Wes Wick
24b But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
1 Corinthians 12 (ESV)
For the first time since starting YES! in 2008, we’re now up to eight serving on our board of directors. Half are from California, and half are from other states...not too surprising for a nationally focused ministry based in California.
What may surprise you, though, is that FIVE current board members are younger than our 55+ age target.
Read those above verses again. “Giving greater honor to the part that lacked it...No division...Members having the same care for one another.”
If a certain part of the body lacks honor, these verses suggest that we partner with God to extend greater honor to that part. We don’t expect that part to fend for themselves and simply hope for the best.
There’s something special when other parts take notice, show concern and give honor.
Our newest board member, Christine Turner, in her late forties, exemplifies what we’re talking about:
“I am currently in two Bible studies where I am the youngest in the group. In one of my groups I sit next to a woman in her 80s who just lost her husband last year. We have really bonded. She knows I am a crier and always brings my Kleenex. I hold her hand when someone shares about their spouse, and I can tell it’s painful for her. I love multigenerational opportunities in ministry.”
There’s relevant instruction here for our youth-oriented, age-segregated American culture that we’ll continue to emphasize:
Let honor flow between generations.
Don’t settle for division.
Care for those outside your circle.
Younger people are old enough to lead us. And we who are older are still young enough to serve.
Partnering with younger generations to fulfill our mission is life-breathing.