Passing the Baton

I’ve been doing youth ministry (in some various form) since I was about 19. Since I’m almost 65 this means I’ve been ministering to teens for 45 years. Although my days of active student ministry are over, I have been blessed to have been able to support those who are in the driver’s seat here at Fullerton Free. Since I began working here over 12 years ago, over 60 fellow paid staff on my team have come and gone. Additionally, there have been even more interns, volunteers and families who have gone through the ministry. That is the nature of an age defined ministry. Though expected it is not ever easy to say goodbye because relationships are built and ministry together is so meaningful.

Goodbyes are not easy, but they are part of life. One might think that I am used to them as I have seen so much transition both here and in other places. I have been privileged to work with some amazing people and I am so proud to have gotten to know Jesus better by having a front row seat! Of course, I could not be prouder of these 2; Clayton reflects his dad and his heavenly Father well. Amy is a force. This goodbye is not as terrible because I don’t have to say goodbye to Clayton. While I am used to transitions in some ways, it is bittersweet to watch my own son pass the baton! I have treasured this opportunity to work side by side in ministry for this short and sweet season. Further, I am blessed by the way Clayton and Amy have postured themselves as best as possible to hand off the ministry to Morgan and Wesley. Perhaps that is because it was modeled well for them and it is also certain that it reflects both their character and their love for each student and each volunteer.

I just watched the 2024 Olympics and I saw some of the relay races. Baton passing is an art. And a baton is passed many times before the end of the race. The phrase, “passing the baton” seems to have a lot more finality to it than is reality; it is not about retiring or end of life. It is way more common than that. If you think about it, athletes who pass the baton in a relay, pass it over and over again in practice after practice and in competition after competition over a span of years. Older and more seasoned athletes and coaches teach it to younger running teammates. Passing the baton is critical to winning relay races. Success or failure depends not only on how fast the runners run, but how well they transfer the baton. If the transfer is mishandled or dropped, at best valuable time will be lost and at worst the race will be lost. So, the relay runners work at it until it is a perfect and smooth transition.

The Bible is full of baton passing. Paul spent intentional time where both he and Timothy were racing together, and an indispensable overlap of mentoring occurred. God honored Elijah’s long, faithful service by making his passage from this life unique and amazing and Elisha saw it, and then he picked up Elijah’s coat as well his prophetic mission to Israel. Moses handed off the leadership to Joshua to lead the Israelites into the land of promise. Jesus passed the baton to 11 disciples and many other followers; one named Peter started the church after Jesus passed him that baton.

Running to Win

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Cor. 9:24-2

The Christian life is like a race, is often described in the Bible using running and race imagery, with some comparing it to a marathon and others to a race. It is seen as a race that requires effort, attention, self-denial, and perseverance, and has a clearly defined finish line. The finish line for Christians is to become disciples of Christ, and uniquely this race lasts our whole lifetime. We are running the race to the end, through the finish line without stopping. When the race is finished, we will be given a crown that will be ours to lay at the feet of the One for whom we are running.

Running Together

Because I am not a running aficionado, for me it is actually good news that as Christians we run the race set before us, we run to win, but we run it together! In 2 Timothy, Paul writes a final letter to Timothy as he gets ready to pass the baton. In Chapter 1:7, he says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” And throughout the rest of the letter Paul continues to emphasize that we are all in this thing together. Situations and people will change, but we are all still running the race together – as a team. The race is won by the whole team; we are all rewarded at the end, and not just the first runner who crosses the finish line with the baton firmly in hand.

We learn from those who have gone before us how to run the race. The seasoned athlete helps the novice, knowing that eventually the younger athlete will one day be ready to train someone else new to the race. A strong youth ministry is like that. It is a place where we do ministry together rather than adults doing ministry for students. It is where we partner with parents and other coaches so we all successfully reach the finish line. It is where we “pass the baton” again and again, back and forth with younger teammates.  It is where students train to minister to others themselves. It is where we are all called to be disciples but also to make disciples, to pass the baton to another who passes it to another and so on with intentionality and hope. It is where Clayton’s youth pastor became his boss. It is where we build relationships and families. It is where we press on toward the goal and let go of the things that lie behind. It is where we hold tightly to friendships and loosely to the future.

Peter was with Jesus every day for three years straight and seeing Jesus leave was seeing His friend, leader and mentor leave. The truth is Jesus didn’t want to leave either! After Jesus died and rose from the grave, the Bible says Jesus lingered 40 more days after His resurrection with His boys before going to be with the Father. Similarly, those who pass the baton love the ministry and want others to keep running to win! There is a lasting legacy that comes with relationship. And ministry happens best in relationship. As I watched the Olympics, I saw plenty of former racers in the crowd of witnesses. They still inform the race. They still inspire younger runners. Some of them coach and train. Some cheer and celebrate new records and winners. They set the pace and the example. Paul’s relationship with Timothy was so sweet that he asked him to come in person when he was near the end in a Roman prison. When Elijah was being taken to heaven in a fiery chariot, Elisha refused to leave, calling after his mentor and their parting was hard because ministry had been good.  Joshua waited for 40 days halfway up a mountain while Moses met with God, looking forward to the wisdom of his mentor. Peter and Jesus had a redemptive moment after Peter’s denial and Jesus’ resurrection where Jesus fed and recommissioned his disciple. My own race started a long time ago and one of those who influenced my race is my youth pastor, Jerry. He is in his eighties now, but he will forever hold that title in my heart. Jim mentored many people in the same race and no matter how many others also informed their race, the racers still remind me of Jim’s impact. Even now, some of them are passing batons and the lessons they learned carry weight as they entrust the baton to another.

My point is that ministry builds friendships. Though Clayton and Amy are stepping away from actively pouring into students, they will always be rooting for and cheering them on to the finish line. Though they won’t be at youth group every week, they will be praying. They are only a text away. Additionally, their impact and input will continue to inform lives.

The Race goes on…

Jesus, our race coach and countless more know that the race is not over.

Heb. 12:1ff says,

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

This race will outlast us, and we are just part of the long race home. We are not the first to pass the baton. Jesus built something that will outlive any one of us. As believers are part of an even bigger legacy, and He calls each of us to keep passing the baton! In fact, Jesus said we would do even greater things, which I find startling. He trained his disciples to be greater than He is! Impossible! But, the principle is there nonetheless. Clayton and Amy are passing the baton that was passed to them from Stephanie and Jordan who passed it from Tim and so on. Perhaps Morgan and Wesley will be even greater until they pass it! Students definitely will benefit. Keep running to win and passing it on!