When the Seniors Graduate

I’ve been in youth ministry for a long time and every year, a transition takes place. After years of investing in certain youth, they grow up and leave, graduating on to what God has for them next. It’s always a bittersweet moment to contemplate the row of seniors in May on the night of our “senior sendoff” and consider how young they were when they started and how they have grown over the years. They slowly morphed from being awkward 7^th graders, who just wanted to eat all of the snacks, to strong leaders who now disciple the younger students, lead the discussion times, facilitate the worship, and become more like peers to us than youth. They are the seniors, the ones the rest of the youth look up to, depend on, and aspire to be. And every year when they graduate, as youth leaders, we often reflect on them in the same way, thinking, “Wow. That might have been the best class we ever had.” And then we ponder, “How in the world will the youth group function next year without them? Who will lead worship, serve on our leadership team, and be those examples of godliness for the rest of the youth? It is going to be so hard without them.”

Yet, every year, something happens when fall comes and the seniors are no longer there. And even though we know it will occur, each time we are dumbfounded by the reality that in the absence of leadership, leaders will emerge. New youth rise up and are enabled to lead, taking on the roles that the seniors left behind. Yes, it’s a little awkward at first as they are stretched and challenged in new responsibilities, but they always find their footing and become that year’s senior class. In 25 years of youth ministry, it always happens. The next class steps up and takes over the job, doing what seniors always do-lead. So now when I contemplate that row of seniors on senior sendoff, rather than worry, “How will the group continue?” I find myself looking around at those who are left and thinking, “I wonder who the next leaders will be?” Because I know they will arise.

Friends, for the global church, in the past several months, many of our “seniors” have graduated. The ones we may have looked up to, even somewhat depended on to be “our voice,” and often aspired to be like have gone on to what the Lord has for them next. But we do not need to despair or wonder whose voices will speak now. Throughout history, the mantle for gospel proclamation has been passed from one generation to another. Like Joshua after Moses or Timothy after Paul, God always raises up others to stand in the gap. So today, in what may appear to be an absence of leadership, take heart. For new leaders will arise. Are you willing to step up and follow them as they followed Christ? If so, then in our spheres of influence whether with our families, in schools, at work, or in our neighborhoods, may we rise up and join the battle, armed not with hate or division, but with the ongoing proclamation of the hope of the gospel, being empowered by His Spirit and willing to boldly speak grace and truth to a world in darkness. In the absence of leadership, leaders will emerge. May we who remain continue to stand firm and proclaim His glory and good works to the next generation so that they too can take our place when we are gone. “Here I am! Send me.”