A minister said to me last week: “The young people must learn to wait their turn. Too many of them are not reliable, not faithful, not ready for the positions and opportunities that so desire.” Or words to that effect.
I suspect he is right about many young adults with admirable ambition. But recent events in the world of music encourage us to think otherwise.
Consider Gustavo Dudamel. He is 28 years old. He is the conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Check him out. He is the most talked about young musician in the classical world. Shall I write it again: he is 28 years old.
If your musical tastes run in another direction, consider Taylor Swift. She walked away with 5 awards at the annual American Music Awards. “I just want to say that music has never been ultimately about competition,” said the humble 19 year old country music star. Yes, 19 years old.
What shall we say then? At opposite ends of the musical spectrum, youth rules, youth is recognized, youth is rewarded, youth is encouraged, youth is allowed the opportunity to inspire the rest of us.
Is the same true in the church of Jesus Christ? Can the church open up venues for the young to lead, to speak, to inspire, to influence, and yes, to grow and learn and mature? Of course we can, and in the Academy of Preachers we are doing exactly that.
We invite the world to our showcase open house: the Festival of Young Preachers, January 7-9, 2010, at the St. Matthews Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Come and witness what God can do through the young people who love the Lord and who are called according to his purpose!