The New Humanity — Passing & Receiving the Baton

If you watched the track and field portion of the summer Olympics one of your big disappointments came when the favored four-by-one hundred meter American relay team dropped the baton. Suddenly we went from first to last. And it happened again in another race.

The baton pass is the most challenging part of any relay. Not just any four runners can win with a set of smooth passes. It takes speed and training and strength. But a successful exchange is essential to victory.

You have probably heard someone say that the church is always one generation away from extinction. That may seem over-dramatic, since the generations overlap, and since we believe that the church has a God-given assignment (and believe that He will always have a people); but there is a lot to the point of the statement. Hebrew parents, the people in covenant with God beginning with Abraham, blessed to be a blessing, were given clear instructions about passing that covenant faith to their children. Jesus said, "Go into all the world and make disciples." Paul told Timothy "the things you heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who also will be qualified to teach others (II Timothy 2:2)."

Today Lee is going to present a very practical, doable, and clear challenge and suggestion for passing the baton with skill, enthusiasm, confidence, effectiveness, and joy. We believe that 2009 will be a great year for this church family, its service, and its witness.