Why does the GARBC need an intergenerational emphasis? Some reasons have already been articulated in recent Quest posts. (See “Why the GARBC Needs Old People,” Parts 1, 2, and 3.) This topic actually seems opposite of what most associations and churches discuss. Most churches and denominations discuss the need for, and plan to recruit, younger members. However, unless we are willing to respect the past and work together with more seasoned members of the association, we have no future.
I want to explore the issue of history. Our association is critically dependent upon our older members for the sake of history-giving. I am currently preaching through the book of Exodus. Time and time again I have been captured by Moses’ emphasis on history-giving. God will perform an incredible miracle, or He will set up a poignant ritual for the people, and immediately Moses will follow up with the need to remember. The implication is clear: We are prone to forgetting God’s works, God’s hand, and God’s goodness. What is so interesting is the system by which God intended that history be passed down. Exodus 13:14 reads,
And when in time to come your son asks you, “What does this mean?” You shall say to him, “By a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery.”
Here is an important insight: The text says when your son asks, not if your son asks. In other words, younger people will commonly ask, “Why do we do things this way?” Or, “What is the meaning of . . . ?” When those questions emerge, it becomes the responsibility of the older generation to contextualize history for the younger generation. This is something we need in the GARBC! We, the younger generation, need help understanding where we came from, how we came about, and why we function the way we do.
A couple days ago my wife and I were visiting a family new to our church. The husband asked, “So what’s with the ‘Regular Baptist’ thing? Are their ‘Irregular Baptists?’ ” I thought that was a fair question. Halfway through my answer, it dawned on me how indebted I was to Kevin Bauder and his ability to communicate history. The reason I was able to answer that question was because I had heard history explained in a relevant manner by someone from the “older generation.” (Sorry, Kevin, to classify you as such!) Hearing the story of our past helped me appreciate our identity as an association. It is only through age and experience that people are able to learn from history.
Someone has said, “The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history.” That is so true. I have a request for the older generation of the GARBC: Please continue to be faithful in history-giving. Give us a sense of this association’s DNA. I have a request for the younger generation of the GARBC: Listen carefully to the historical insights of the older generation. We desperately need that insight in order to secure the future of this association.
Who has helped you appreciate history, or what associational history is most interesting to you? Please comment.
