This series could really be called Kingdom Work parts 4 and 5. So much of the heart of these messages is embedded in what Donovan shared. We’re inviting the church to partner with God in something that goes beyond their NOW- beyond their personal benefit, beyond their preferences, beyond their abilities, beyond their current vision.
The angle these two messages are coming from is “a church that grows into maturity and also lasts through the infancy of a new generation is a church that pays attention to transition well”. This word has been in my heart for the better part of 2 years as the Lord impressed on me there is a transition coming. As I’ve prayed for more clarity on this I’ve seen that we are already seeing the early sprouting of transitions; it is time to get on with preparing the next generation. I believe we all sense this is a now word in the teachings God has been leading all the elders to work on. The Word of Grace of 2030 will have mostly transitioned whether we handle it well or not.
This is partly a “State of the Church” address about the transition we are currently in, but more of a call to join the family and be part of this generation to generation shift. Many have joined us recently and don’t know where we came from and where we are heading in ministry. Many of our stalwarts are phasing out of active ministry roles or seeking other engagements with their time. As shepherds we must guard this season well and pour into it with intent. Raising a visionary temperature (Let us go spy out the land, let us arise and build) in the people will be crucial in this phase. We must be able to press into the God-dreams of a new generation while providing the temperance of history and experience of walking with God over time.
Passages: John 13:34–35, Ephesians 4:1-2, Ephesians 4:11-16, Ephesians 4: 22-25
