Point-of-View

During the past several years we have begun to witness the passing of a generation of godly leaders that helped to right the ship of the Southern Baptist Convention. Many of those who labored diligently to help return our convention to its conservative roots are now passing that mantle of leadership down to the next generation: men such as Adrian Rogers, Jerry Vines, and now Bobby Welch.

Many of these men of God took stands that caused them and their families’ great hardship. The mantle of leadership which they bore was not given to them nor was it seized by them. Instead, they earned their right to lead. They led by example without title or recognition. They completed their God-given task and for that we should be truly thankful and give them the honor and respect that they deserve (Rom 13:7). Their leadership has provided the SBC a rock solid foundation based upon the inerrancy of the Bible and a fervent commitment to missions and evangelism.

A new generation of leadership is beginning to emerge.

There are many bright young leaders within the SBC who have a heart for God, a love for His Church, and a firm commitment to the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture. This new generation of leaders will certainly be needed and the convention will be blessed by their conviction, creativity, and passion.

However, there appears to be a mindset among some “younger leaders” today that they are entitled to, or can demand, a position of leadership within our convention. Some may be infatuated with the ideas of holding office, receiving recognition from others, and climbing the denominational ladder. After all, how does one have time for sermon preparation with all of the new requirements for “younger leaders,” such as networking and web logging? Younger leaders are especially susceptible to a revolutionary mentality — one that is on a mission for change. Change is both good and necessary when appropriate. Nevertheless, this mentality sometimes results in a desire to change anything and everything for the sole sake of change itself – leading a rebel without a cause.

Furthermore, the manner in which some “younger leaders” are seeking to bring about change, make names for themselves, and assume their “rightful” leadership roles is disturbing: childish attempts to get one’s own way and to force one’s own voice to be heard no matter who it hurts and how it reflects on the SBC. Recently, we have heard far more about the actions of IMB trustees than we have heard about the work of the IMB itself. This type of mindset places self before the Savior and the ambitions of men above the will of God. This is the antithesis of the type of leadership that is desperately needed in our convention — both now and in the future.

What is it that constitutes Christian leadership?

It has been said that leadership is far more recognizable when it is absent than when it is present. True, but the presence of Christian leadership is most certainly identifiable: it is selfless and not self-seeking, and it has far more to do with servant-hood than superiority. Christian leadership is born out of being a good follower. It is what takes place when ordinary people choose to follow our extraordinary Savior. When a person chooses to follow Christ, no matter the cost or repercussion, others will begin to take notice and do likewise. Christian leadership is leading by example. It does not promote itself and it is not sought for oneself. The Apostle Paul once instructed a young leader named Timothy with these words:

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers” (1 Tim 4:12-5:1, NKJV).

The portrait of a young leader is that of a shepherd who loves and leads his flock. He does not attempt to drive them as a herd or even try to force them to follow him against their own will. He simply follows His Lord and models the way for others. This is the type of leadership that Southern Baptists have been blessed with for the last quarter of a century and it is the type of leadership that we as younger leaders should seek to demonstrate both now and in the future.

Jeremy L. Green (age 29) is senior pastor of Second Baptist Church, a Southern Baptists of Texas Convention new church start, in Waco.