The growth and development of a church are not solely the work of one person or even one group but rather the result of generational succession. Just as Joshua succeeded Moses, Solomon succeeded David, and Timothy succeeded Paul, the Chinese church must also focus on the issue of succession and prioritize the development of talent to ensure its continued growth.
Recently, Pastor Chen from East China shared his church’s experience regarding talent development, emphasizing that the training of new leaders must start early.
Reflecting on the Lesson of Having No Successors
Pastor Chen, a second-generation Christian in his family and a leader among the new generation of young pastors, oversees a church that places great emphasis on nurturing young staff workers, as elders in his church advocate it.
He shared, "Our church’s elders had this awareness early on. It was a revelation and guidance from God to start nurturing young people ahead of time. In the past, we visited churches across China and personally witnessed and heard the history of their growth. The leaders of these churches, large and small, often endured great hardships, leaving behind many touching stories. However, no matter how well this generation of leaders performed, one day they would all grow old. Many churches, without successors, eventually split apart, causing significant losses. It was heartbreaking." Through these painful events, the church elders reflected and concluded that the reason for these divisions wasn’t that the leaders hadn’t served well, but rather that they hadn’t prioritized the training of young people and the next generation.
As Pastor Chen recalled these vivid examples, it was as if he had returned to those places where he visited and witnessed these events firsthand, with him expressing his sorrow once again.
Each Generation Has Its Mission, as Church Succession is a Relay Race
Pastor Chen mentioned the time of Moses, saying, "Moses served so well. If it weren’t for his old age, he could have continued serving. But every generation has their time and ministry, and Moses completed his work and finished his race."
Indeed, God’s plan isn’t for one person to continue serving just because they are doing well. God’s will is for all who love Him to participate in His work, and so He gives each person limited time and energy. But if each generation runs their part of the relay well, the church won’t wither, and the Great Commission can continue to be advanced, he added.
Talent Development Should Start Early
Pastor Chen said, "We can't see the development of a church from the current situation. Especially when a church grows rapidly or reaches a significant size, special attention is needed. If the preaching and management do not keep up, many problems will remain hidden." This highlights that the church must have a sense of crisis when it grows with the times.
He warned, "You absolutely cannot wait until the moment of succession to start looking for someone. By then, to whom can you hand things over? You won’t find a suitable person, and you can’t just randomly choose someone either. Moreover, leaders aren’t cultivated overnight." Thus, talent development must begin early.
Talent Development Must Be Continuous Rather Than Be Rushed
On the other hand, the issue of talent development is complex, and new leaders cannot be produced through "quick training courses." Pastor Chen described it as something that couldn’t be rushed but must be done slowly, as it required patience. Currently, his church is still in the process of exploring and experimenting with how to train young people.
He shared their approach that they select good candidates and observe them first. They then support their learning and encourage their growth, usually by sending them to study theology. During this process, the church elders maintain long-term observation and communication with the young people. When they return, they invite them to serve in the church and integrate them into the church team. After continued observation, they focus on cultivating them and selecting suitable successors among them.
When Pastor Chen mentioned the young people sent out for study, he smiled with satisfaction. "Many young people returned from their studies with a great deal of professional knowledge. But in reality, the biggest change we’ve noticed is that they’ve matured. Some began to serve their families after returning home, which has greatly comforted their parents."
Finally, Pastor Chen said, "We don’t yet know how God will lead, but what we can do is to train them well."
- Edited & translated by Abigail Wu
