My parents belonged to the generation that grew up during the Great Depression, worked hard, saved, and got an education despite the tough times; came of age and helped to win World War II; and built the prosperity and influence of post-war America. Journalist Tom Brokaw called theirs the Greatest Generation. Their offspring, including me, are part of the most analyzed, discussed, and self-conscious generation, the Baby Boomers. In the Messianic Jewish world, Boomers are now the establishment. Our challenge is to shift the focus from ourselves to the younger generations who are not just coming along behind us, but who are already putting their own stamp on our community. Hence, part six of my seven-part vision for the near future: Seeing younger leaders and members as present not future.

This shift in focus means treating younger members of our community as colleagues, and making real room for them at the leadership table. But, even though I’ll insist that the younger generation is present not future, I’ll also have to admit that it is small, indeed smaller than my nearing-retirement generation. (And it doesn’t really help to note that the whole religious world in North America, Jewish as well as Christian, faces the same challenge.)

In recognition of this demographic challenge, a few years back I proposed a goal of raising up over the next ten years a new, under-40 generation that is larger than the current over-40 generation. We’ve made some real headway toward that goal, but I recognize that this is a rather vague goal. The “next ten years” is a horizon that keeps receding, as does “under 40.” So, I’m working on nailing down this goal with more specific timelines and objectives, which I hope to announce to our delegates this summer.

Last month, our midyear Excellence in Ministry retreat (providing continuing education for our leaders) was entitled The Messianic Future, and all the presenters were younger leaders, chosen not just because they were younger, but because they had something vital to say to us all. (A Webinar based on part of the retreat is coming tomorrow, January 5, at 8:00 PM EST. Click here to sign up: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/348332371.) When I gave an introduction to the retreat, I was able to put it into the context of longer-range UMJC efforts on behalf of new generations, not just since we set the goal of a larger under-40 generation, but long before:

•        A Youth Committee has been active since the earliest days of the UMJC.

•        A Scholar Fund was established 1998 or 1999 to help educate new leaders.

•        The Dor l’dor committee of youth and young adults met in January 2001 to recommend enhancements in our next generation efforts. This led to founding Internship and work-study programs and a new Twenties Committee in 2001.

•        We gained funding for a young adult program developer starting in 2004.

•        Young adult conferences, Kabbetz Haesrim, began soon after, with two in 2009 and three coming in 2010.

•        We sponsored Young Leaders Shabbatons and Young Scholars conferences, 2005–2008, in partnership with other ministries.

•        We helped launch Messianic Jewish Theological Institute, 2002–2007; continued partnership with MJTI in leadership training.

•        We sponsored a Young Leaders Retreats in 2009 and are planning another in 2010, with sponsorship by other ministries as well.

•        A pilot Messianic Jewish teen camp was launched in 2009 and we plan to partner in future camps.

•        Watch for a possible family camp conference format for 2011.

All of this paints an encouraging picture. We face the same demographic challenge as the rest of the North American religious world, but we are mobilized to meet the challenge. I look forward to great fruit in the months and years ahead.

A more specific challenge for those of us in leadership, though, is the one I mention above: seeing younger leaders and members as present not future. This means making genuine room for them at the leadership table and in the life of our congregations, not clinging to privilege or status, or even to the familiar and comfortable, but opening wide the door of service and expression. At bottom it is another application of Yeshua’s unique approach to leadership: “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be . . . first among you must be the servant of all” (Mark 10:42-44). Sometimes the most effective act of leadership is making room for another to lead—especially another who is younger and less experienced.