Apprentice 2 Jesus

A note of encouragement from Indianapolis this week. I’m not IN Indy, but the news from the General Council of the Assemblies of God was encouraging to me.

This was a year when our General Supt., Tom Trask, retired. It was a bit “controversial” because a LOT of younger ministers (they say 40 and under, but it’s more like 30 and under from comments I read) wanted some “fresh” leadership. I am 41, so my opinions don’t matter any more. I’m in that OLD generation.

Dr. Wood was elected Gen. Supt., which did not set well with some of these up and comers. The problem is they do not care to know anyone older than 40 or allow anyone over 40 to speak into their lives. If they did, they would know Dr. Wood is the best man for this hour. He has vision and a heart for God. He knows how to hear the voice of the Spirit and lead with his life. We have MUCH to learn from this great man. My prayer is we will take our time to let him lead!

The other GREAT news out of Indy was the election of Zollie Smith as Executive Director of Home Missions. This makes him the first African American elected to a national office in the Assemblies of God. (It makes him the first non-white male elected to anything at that level.) This is a man of great courage, great Pentecostal zeal, and someone who should show our younger ministers how to ENDURE to see God do something great.

Our younger guys seem to have no problem speaking their mind, then not paying attention to how they say it or give any regard to those who have gone before. It is something they need to learn. Learn from the example of Dr. Wood and Zollie Smith. Learn from pastors and leaders just a few years ahead of them. Learn there are multiple ways of doing things, and it may not always have to be “cutting edge.”

Thank God for these new leaders to help the Assemblies of God move forward.