Respect your Elders
By definition an “elder” is one who is wiser (knows what to do with what they know) than you are. Contrary to popular belief, wisdom does not have anything to do with biological age and or hair color. I have met plenty of “older people” who do not know how to live this thing we call life; additionally, I have the privilege of knowing several guys who are “wise beyond their years” without the gray hair.
That being said, I had the pleasure of attending our annual missions conference this weekend at FBCC. Outside of our military personnel there is no one single group of people I admire and respect more than those who serve on the mission field — whether it be stateside or international. To those of you reading this who serve on the mission field — I desire to be as great as you one day. To those (like me) who do not serve I want you to pray and give more to those who do.
In spite of education level, age, or anything else I consider those who serve on the mission field “wiser” than myself. In particular, there are those who have served in such a capacity that their wisdom “runneth over.” One of those individuals is Jerry Rankin (Current but retiring president of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention). Not only has he led the largest evangelical denomination in North America in mission endeavors overseas but also he personally served himself. If that was not enough, I had the pleasure of talking with him and his wife for 2 hours at a conference and can and will testify, “He is the real deal.”
The following is a “blog” he just wrote regarding priorities among believers toward missions. Understand this is a Southern Baptist “railing” on Southern Baptists. If you are not a Southern Baptist do not gloat over those of another denomination who are “struggling” because I would be willing to bet that whatever “group” you associate with (and remember even Independent Baptists associate with each other) has the same struggle. Therefore, this is not a Southern Baptist commentary; it is an American Christian commentary.
