As I look out my window I can see Grandfather Mountain. It was named that because it looks like a man lying on his back sleeping. That is the perception that many have of their grandfathers. I have heard it said a number of times by the elderly that they just could not sleep during the daytime until they reached that age. The older we get we probably do need more sleep, but spiritually it is the most important time of all to wake up. We are in our greatest time of need for the wisdom and leadership of our grandfathers and grandmothers.
First, I believe we need to have the wisdom to be "spiritual grandfathers and grandmothers." This was a mandate for the Levites under the Old Covenant. They were prepared for ministry in the tabernacle or temple from birth. They then performed this ministry from the age of thirty until they were fifty. Then they retired from ministry in the temple, but entered into what may have been their most fruitful years serving as elders. As elders they sat in the gates as judges, and they discipled the younger Levites who were preparing for service. Let's take a moment to ponder the wisdom of this system, and how the church could desperately need it today.
In I Corinthians 6:5 Paul wrote, "I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren." In the previous four verses he admonishes the Corinthians because they were called to judge angels, but could not even decide minor matters in this life. It seems that possibly the greatest cause of the shame that repeatedly comes upon the church in our time is because we lack elders who will take their authority as judges.
As we read in Psalm 89:14, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Thy throne." It is right to emphasize righteousness, but we will never be able to walk in the full authority that we are called to, representing the throne of the Lord, until we also give an equal emphasis to justice. Presently the church is filled with unrighteous judgment. Because those who are called to be judges in the church have not taken their responsibility in this area, some have assumed the position of being a judge in the church without the calling from God.
Most of the people who I have heard referred to as spiritual fathers were in fact spiritual grandfathers. We tend to think of men as spiritual fathers when they are old, but like in the natural, most men become fathers when they are young. Almost all of the leaders of truly dynamic churches that are still on the cutting edge of advancement, and are involved in further church planting, are led by those who are under the age of fifty. There are exceptions, but not that many. Just as most men start becoming grandfathers at around the age of fifty, if we have done our job well, those we have raised up should be the most dynamic producers in the church by the time they get to that age. Why not let them take over then? Most likely, there is nowhere for us to go.
When I inquired of the Lord about how to start a movement that would not stop moving, His reply was that I must use the wisdom of the geese. Geese fly in "V" formation for aerodynamic reasons. The geese that draft behind the lead bird use 20-35 percent less energy than the lead bird. Therefore, the lead bird can only stay in the lead for a short period of time before it will need to let another bird take its place, or the whole flock will start slowing down as the lead bird tires. This is why most churches and movements start losing their momentum so quickly. We do not know how to change leaders gracefully. Neither do we have a place for those who move out of being the point man in a congregation or movement. This one thing does bog down the momentum of a huge portion of the church.
For the church to make a place for its true elders we must also recover and fulfill the commandment to honor our fathers and mothers. This was the commandment that contained the promise "that your days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with you on the land which the Lord your God gives to you" (Deuteronomy 5:16). Not doing this is why many churches and movements do not remain long as a vibrant, relevant force in the earth. Most effectively die with the death of their founder, or before, as they become a bottleneck to future advancement. If we will learn to transfer responsibility in the right way and at the right time, our churches and movements will keep growing in strength and spiritual authority.
The last days of a person's life should be their best and most fruitful. To do this we must know the time to turn over the reigns of the day-to-day ministry in the church, and give ourselves to a higher calling. Just as Paul the Apostle wrote most of his letters near the end of his life, that is the time when the wine of wisdom is the best. As Alex Haley once said, "Every time an old person dies it is like a library burning down." We should not be letting any of the great saints pass until they have left us all that they have to give.
We should also make a place for the true elders of the church in teaching and training of the youth and children. These are the most important ministries in any church. We will not be bearing fruit that remains unless we are imparting our vision and our values to the next generation. Like the patriarchs of Scripture, we should not depart until we have prophesied over the coming generation, imparting destiny and vision for their future. Those who attain the promises will also be those who esteem the prophetic blessing of their parents enough to do whatever it takes to get it.