The Lord gives us Jethros for a reason. Lean into their mentorship and engage their gifts. You’ll be blessed, and so will your church. 

A few weeks ago, I sat in the living room of a woman who used to lead the women’s ministry of my church—years before that honor passed to me. 

Hers is a perspective I often seek when making decisions or facing a challenge. She holds church history and testimonies I know nothing about. She has seen pastors and families come and go. Years of life experience and God’s faithfulness have given her such wisdom and an unshakable grace in demeanor. She doesn’t make decisions based on a need to prove herself or gain an advantage, like many younger women do. I absolutely love hearing what she has to say.

Over coffee and pages of Bibles, commentaries and notes splayed out on her couch, she shared with me about an exciting opportunity that had just been extended to her. Well into her seventies, she’s praying about stepping into not one, but two weekly teaching commitments.

“I asked the Lord what He wants me to do,” she shared. “And He says it’s up to me. But I just think…teaching is my gift! Why would I not do it as long as I can?”

I thought about this a long time. I love her perspective. I wish more seasoned Christians would adopt it—because it’s absolutely Biblical. 

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, NASB95).

Certainly there are seasons of life when pace will shift. Physiological changes, caring for aging or ill relatives, transitioning into a new season of life—all these things may necessitate that our roles in the church body shift. But we must keep in mind that while gifts and service may change expression, they certainly don’t expire. 

Certainly there are seasons of life when pace will shift. But we must keep in mind that while gifts and service may change expression, they certainly don’t expire.

To the Seasoned Christians: My husband the pastor often says, “God doesn’t bring the wrong tools to the job site.” If you are in the mature season of life, understand that who you are and what you bring to the table, has value.  As long as God has us on this earth, there is a job to do to advance His Kingdom purpose. Are you seeking ways to utilize your gifts in a new way each day?

Just because new blood steps into prominent “work-horse” leadership and decision making positions doesn’t mean you’ve “done your time.” I’ve watched how new leadership can impact a previously devoted regime of volunteers. It must feel painful to watch people who weren’t there when you built things take them apart piece by piece. I think ahead to the day I have to turn the reigns over and I know it will be hard for me to see someone do things differently than I did. But I know, as you do too, that ministry doesn’t belong to me. God chooses, directs, tears down, and raises up to reach His people. To be used at all is such a tremendous privilege.

So I will say this to you, while sending you a digital bear hug: New leaders coming in and changing things up doesn’t make you irrelevant. It means you’ve now entered the essential role of influencing and shaping the next generation of leaders and Christian growth. Stay out of the shadows. Don’t take your ball and go home. Keep praying and sharing your experience while supporting your leadership. There is work that was meant for you —for such a time as this. 

To the Younger Leaders: I am beyond blessed by the fantastic group of mature women who serve as vigorously as the 30-something’s in my church home. They are loyal, available, steady, and thoughtful. They have included me, encouraged me, and sustained me, because they have a unique capacity to do so. I will always be thankful for what they bring to my life as a minister’s wife. Someone once told me, and it has proven true, no one has your back like the seasoned women of your church. 

If you’re a young leader—a wise one, anyway—you’ll make room in your schedule, and on your advisory teams, to engage the older adults of your church. As young leaders, we have passion, vision, energy and ideas. But there’s nothing new under the sun—and they have the experience you need to lean on. The Lord expects us to respect and steward them well. He gives us Jethros for a reason. Lean into their mentorship and engage their gifts. You’ll be blessed, and so will your church. 

“Remember the days of old, consider the years of all generations. Ask your father and he will inform you, your elders, and they will tell you.” (Deuteronomy 32:7, NASB).