Reflections on God's Work
Part 4
God is at work. In 2023, the Beacon feature articles will seek to capture a snapshot of the ways God is working in churches across our conference. We pray that these articles encourage your faith and spur you on to join God in the work he is doing in your local congregation.
~Kelsey Jurkovich, Publication & Literature Committee
In track and field, the relay team with the fastest individuals doesn’t always win the race. A less talented team can win if they focus on transitions—the passing of the baton from one person to the next. A smooth transition can shave off valuable milliseconds that can make a difference between winning and losing. To be successful in the passing of the baton, several factors need to be in place. The person receiving the baton sets up in the “fly zone,” the area before the exchange zone in which the person receiving the baton can accelerate to match the speed of the incoming runner. There is a moment where the runners are running at the same pace before the exchange occurs. The exchange must happen within the parameters of the exchange zone. When the speeds of the runners are equal, the baton is passed and the person receiving the baton sets out to run his leg of the race and to hand the baton off to the next person. A sense of relief from the teammates, coaches, and the fans prevails when a successful transition takes place. However, dropping the baton can result in disqualification, with the race being over for that team.
When the [baton] exchange happens, [the athletes] still run next to each other for a short period of time, but soon the exchange is complete, and the next runner is responsible for his own race.
Church leadership transition is much like a relay race. The person who is carrying the baton needs to know the right person to whom to hand it off. He needs to know the right time to hand it off. Handing it off too soon or too late can slow the progress of the baton, or worse, cause the team to be disqualified. During the exchange, there is a point where the person carrying the baton runs next to the person receiving the baton. When the exchange happens, they still run next to each other for a short period of time, but soon the exchange is complete, and the next runner is responsible for his own race. Church leadership transitions should often have those same characteristics. There should be a time when the person set to take over leadership gets to run alongside others in church leadership. This gives them a chance to learn first-hand practical ways of leadership.
Over the years of its existence, Maple Glen (one of the founding congregations of CMC) has gone through numerous transitions, passing the baton from one generation to the next. I am currently running with the baton. I received it from Phil Moser, the previous lead pastor. He handed me the baton several years ago and has been running alongside me in the exchange zone. In August, after 38 years of faithful ministry, Phil retired and has now stopped running his portion of the leadership race.
Phil carried out the characteristics of a successful exchange. He was clear that he wanted to hand off the baton at the right moment. When he did hand off the baton, he didn’t continue to hold on to it. He released it to let others run their leg of the race without interference, all along giving encouragement and cheering on the church. Though the church experienced some angst in the process, the race has gone on without too much disruption to the true goal of loving Jesus, loving His church, and spreading His glory. The baton has not been dropped. Athletes compete for temporary reward and glory, “but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (I Cor. 9:25b, NIV).
One Response
Thanks for sharing this good report Tim. I’m thankful for the wisdom and humility of leaders like Phil. Blessings as you run the good race with Maple Glen!