You can often tell things about people by the words they use. For example, a person’s name often ties them to an age group. Phrases they know and use also show this – “Pin or sign?” only makes sense to people over a certain age. Likewise, the importance of the concept of legacy matters to older people and holds little interest for young people. 

Legacy is what we leave behind for the next generation. Over generations, several of our diocesan heroes have stated their goal to “leave the Diocese more evangelical than they found it”. After World War II many significant building projects were undertaken because of the great need for new churches in new areas, but the common mantra was not about today’s needs. It was, “Let’s build something for future generations”.

Legacy is, therefore, a view to a long-term horizon rather than an immediate one. It makes sense that because young people tend to operate with an immediate horizon that legacy concerns are diminished. 

It is generous to forego something in the present for the benefit of those not yet born.

Of course, the world we live in expects us to live only in the immediate. Andrew Root (writer of The Congregation in the Secular Age) says our social media and digital world shapes us to want immediate outcomes and instant gratification. He says there is no longer space even for what he calls “sacred time”, where you can sit in church and meditate in wonder on God. Church now has to be full of sensory stimulation and the meeting of my and my family’s needs. Legacy, in this world, is a foreign word. 

The desire for legacy is praiseworthy and biblical. It is generous to forego something in the present for the benefit of those not yet born. The Scriptures speak of one generation’s responsibility to shape and provide for the next, especially in telling and trusting in the praiseworthy works of God (Psalm 78:4, 2 Timothy 2:2).

But legacy has a downside. It can, and sometimes does, inhibit change where it is beneficial. It can create a posture of “This is what we have always done, so don’t question it”. The question of protecting and preserving what is, or changing our ways, should always be addressed. 

Stability or change?

This question is sometimes assumed to have different answers based on your age. But it is not that simple. Your disposition and the timeframe horizons you work within also come into play. So, what is the best way to act? 

From Genesis to Revelation, there is no doubt God is eternal and everlasting. This is why he can be trusted with every aspect of life (Ex 3:14-15, Heb 13:8, Ps 41:13; 90:2, 106:48, Heb 7:21, Jam 1:17). But the Scriptures expect people to change, and change fundamentally and deeply, under the power of God’s Spirit. This is the weight of the word repentance. 

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul proclaims that Christians are changed from one degree of glory into another as we behold the face of God in Christ. We have a glorious, unchanging Lord who calls us to constant change. How do we hold the two together? 

This is further complicated because our sovereign God sometimes works in us with immediate effect, and at other times uses lifelong exposure to his word and people to transform us. He operates with multiple time horizons, and he chooses to do work differently with different people. 

What is the impact on the structure of church life? Should we change nothing because God is unchanging? Or should we constantly change and risk losing God-given blessings in the search for novelty to enhance immediate effect?

Stable core and disruptive edge

Secular management analyst Professor Alex Hill asked in his book Centennials, “What enables companies to exist and thrive after a century?” His conclusions resonate with what God says (after all God’s ways are best for everyone). Hill says legacy and growth are achieved by having two components: a stable core and a disruptive edge – and both can and should coexist. 

For Christians, our stable core lies in God and what he has established. God is sovereign, God is good, God is wise, he speaks the truth to our lost world in his word. Jesus is the only and necessary hope for every person, and God works to transform people through His Spirit. 

These are things we must believe, rejoice in and live out. You could add to this the perpetuation of that core: teach the next generation, and generations beyond that, and generously be open and giving of your resources to others.

our stable core lies in God and what he has established.

The disruptive edge might involve seeking input and wisdom from sources other than those who act as you do and belong to your tribe. This calls for discernment to evaluate their ways, motives and presuppositions as well as your own. 

Additionally, you could be open to unexpected insights and opportunities – and be willing to courageously explore how you might engage with them. This probably involves spending time just chatting with others about anything, as insights often derive from these conversations even if they seem inefficient at the time. 

Legacy

Jesus set his eyes on heaven (Heb 12:2). The apostle Paul had eternal and heavenly horizons. He set his sights on what is unseen and eternal (2 Cor 4:16-18), and both call all who follow to do likewise. We must all have this heavenly horizon. And God gives the honour to his children to be involved in what he is doing by influencing generations to come and people who do not yet know him. 

This calls us to legacy thinking and acting. It is Christian to ask, “What can I provide to see the gospel widen and deepen in future generations?” And yet we must learn about promoting and using disruptive edges. God gives the changes and variety of events and seasons (Ecc 3:1-8), encouraging us not to rest and rely on only one way of operating.

“What can I provide to see the gospel widen and deepen in future generations?”

Managing change is difficult. It takes courage and requires wisdom. So, each of us should ask the Lord for this wisdom, which he grants without finding fault (Jam 1:5). Leaving in place and growing what should be left for future generations – and modifying how we function to promote the gospel in the present day – is an exciting journey we all share. 

The Rev Dr Archie Poulos is head of the ministry department at Moore College and director of the Centre for Ministry Development.