Age, Position and Calling...

Many in the church today seem to have this attitude that age should some how be at least a highly determinative factor when it comes to church position and leadership. On the surface their logic makes sense. Many of us look around and we do not see how it is that a teenager or college student could be "good enough" to lead a church, worship service, or committee (or council). Those who hold fast to this kind of logic ignore what the Bible has to say about this.

The Bible is clear that it is not age that is the determining factor for leadership, rather it is calling. God calls different people of different ages to a variety of leadership positions. In fact, Paul clearly states to Timothy that he should not allow anyone to discredit him simply because of his age. We also see Jeremiah being called as prophet as a teenager and Jesus was attending to His Father's business at the the Temple at the age of twelve. Who are we to think that we would know better than God. To think that somehow teenagers and college students are unfit for true leadership simply because of their age lowers the standard for them. It allows them to continue to live a life that is short of the calling God has placed on them. Truth be told I know a number of young people who have a greater depth of spiritual insight than do many of the older leaders in our churches. They are able to see things with a clarity that is nothing short of miraculous.

So today I want to encourage you to maybe take a new look at young people. To look at them and not see them as someone who will some day be ready to lead but rather as someone who is ready to lead today. If you are one of those young people then I would like to encourage you to step out in faith and take some leadership in your church and to not allow those who would look down upon to discourage you from doing those things that God has called you to do.