When Leaders Leave

"20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you." 1 Timothy 6:20-21

As Paul closes this letter, he does something that is essential for Timothy: he acknowledges that Timothy is indeed a leader. Paul understands that he will not always be around, so he must teach and grow a new generation of leaders, and Timothy is one of these. Paul does his best to impart wisdom and knowledge upon Timothy so that he might stand firm against the trials and pressures of the day, but I think that we commonly overlook the simple fact that Paul affirms Timothy as a leader in verse twenty, signifying the passing of the torch.

I write this not just as a random thought, although it is in part, but more as a reflection on my current situation. Last Thursday, my mentor left the field for six months, leaving a number of interns and projects to wrestle with the reality of changing leadership. Some will gladly find a new person to guide and direct them, and others will struggle with different forms and focuses of leadership. While these are good and proper reactions, we must not be so quick as to overlook an important reality: Chris equipped and filled us until the moment he left, expecting us to step up upon his departure. He raised us up as leaders, and left us to act accordingly. While it is natural for us to look for new sources of wisdom, we must not hinder ourselves from practicing what we have been taught.

As we assume the role of leadership, we must simultaneously be looking at who is coming behind us as leaders. While we're learning from those before us, we must look for ways to do the same for those who are yet to come. It is important to recognize that the cycle of leadership is constantly underway around us. There will always be people who have led longer than us, and there will always be people just arriving on the scene. With this in mind, it is essential for leaders to purposefully share knowledge and experiences in order to stimulate each other in new ways, creating a deeper leadership with every generation.

As I sit here reflecting on the recent changing of the guard, I am both nervous and excited. It is definitely a challenge to continue what Chris has begun in this wonderful city, but I feel well prepared for the endeavor. Chris purposefully prepared me, and now it is my chance to continue the work he has left for me.