The Most Important Lesson Older and Younger Ministers Can Learn from Each Other, according to Christian today.
How Younger Ministers Need to Listen
Younger ministers need to listen to older ministers' stories. Hear their experience. Learn from their lives.
A lot of things have changed in the last generation or two, but the important things have not. God is God. Truth is truth. And people are people.
If you’re a young minister, you need to pay attention to the lessons older ministers learned the hard way so you can learn them a little easier.
Let them help you grow deeper, not just bigger.
When you see them interact with people using language and customs that may seem out-of-date and quaint to you, take note of the good manners and respect for human dignity at their core.
Don't dismiss a tradition you don't understand as a relic of a bygone day. It may have more value than you've given it credit for. Ask what it means and why they do it. The why matters. A lot.
Knowing where their traditions came from might help you start some great new traditions of your own. Or you may find yourself wanting to re-purpose that old tradition in a fresh, new way that brings depth and meaning to even your youngest church members.
There are some great treasures to be found in relationships with older ministers, But that treasure will stay hidden unless you look for it.
How Older Ministers Need to Listen
Older ministers need to listen to young ministers' questions. Take their concerns seriously. Let them express their doubts and uncertainties.