Unity

In the Fall of 2018, I began my doctoral journey toward a Ph.D. in Christian Leadership: Next Generation Ministry – a long program name, huh? I am eight classes away from completing the course requirements, and there is still that tiny detail of writing a dissertation. I aim to write a research paper on a topic that could use more study, and I need to defend my writing in front of a panel of scholars. Awesome. Although I haven’t officially given my topic, my argument will focus on the idea of a holistic next-generation leadership model and its importance in promoting unity within the church. The Scriptural basis is in Paul’s epistle: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”(Ephesians 4:11-13, ESV). 

Each person whom God graciously has given to each facet of ministry must utilize their gifts for our Lord’s work and enable others to join in the discipleship and evangelism of the church. This responsibility includes the discipleship and maturing of our children and students. When this unity begins, each part of the body of Christ works properly, grows, and “builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:16) to reach the next generation of Christ-followers.