Leadership of continuity

Handing Over To The Next Generation
Looking at the next generation, we see many emerging leaders. Leaders should look at ministry and leadership as athletes in a relay race. Passing of the baton is very important in any relay race. This may take but a moment, but it is determined by how well one runs and how skilfully the baton is handed to the next sprinting athlete. Sometimes, in the course of a race, the baton falls down at the handing over moment, and mars the team’s chances of winning. One heart, the singleness of mind, and coordination of what is being handed down are key. Mentorship received will bring smoothness to this. It may take years, but is still a heart’s affair. This means that a leader handing down to another should not consider a day or two of trainings he has with the successor as enough to make for successful continuity. Joshua was with Moses for forty years as a protégé before God instructed the change of baton through laying on of hands and giving of a charge before Eleazar the Priest, who sought the Lord’s counsel in the process.

Numbers 27:18-23 – And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word shall they come in, both him, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

The heart of Moses was involved, and so, the same order of miracles began to be evident in Joshua’s leadership. The main determinant will therefore be how the previous leader ran and how he handed over. If he ran well, then the new leader will have solid grounds on which to continue. If not, the successor may have to struggle and may not progress as expected, where many things were left unattained. When there is a good understanding between the old leadership and the emerging one, this can be easily achieved. The emerging leaders must be prepared to be mentored by the older leaders. They should take mentorship as a serious in God’s plan to prepare the next generation of leaders.
Rev. Douglas Chukwueke
WORA/GOSPEL YOUTH MIN
E-mail: revdouglas2002@yahoo.com
Phone:08066031679,08039622119
To be continued …