The Spirit of 2 Timothy 2:2

The succession of leadership is often an awkward and difficult process. A powerful leader… an effective leader…a leader of great impact so often has a struggle with stepping aside and allowing others to show the way of the vision. Sharing the vision with others is so much easier than handing the vision over to someone else.

And yet, this is a very selfish approach to leadership. If a leader has done anything of value and worth, the highest complement to be paid falls in the desire of others to carry on and expand the organization. Adding the voices of others to the voice of the leader is greatly rewarding, but to hear the voices of others when the leader has stopped singing is a thrill indeed.

I remember writing some songs in my younger days. A small group of friends would sing them in a Bible study setting. I remember how excited I was to hear them singing one of my songs when I arrived late to a session. To sing a song when the leader is there demonstrates a loyalty to the leader. Singing the same song in the leader’s absence demonstrates a commitment to the song.

May the spirit of 2 Timothy 2:2 ring in every leaders mind. These words of Paul to the young pastor Timothy echo with words of succession. Paul was not concerned about holding on to the churches that he established. With all the 2’s in the reference, one just has to reflect on the 2’s within the verse:

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust TO reliable men who will also be qualified TO teach others.”

The vision must be entrusted and it must be entrusted TO reliable men. The leader must be willing to pass the torch. The leader has presented the message and presented it with distinction and clarity. The message has been shared with others in the presence of many witnesses who understand and agree with the direction provided. The leader must find those reliable men and then he/she must entrust and let go.

Notice the two characteristics of the new leaders: in additional to being reliable, they must be qualified TO teach others. They must be ready to pass the torch to yet another generation. They must understand the vision and have the capability to share the vision with yet other reliable men. Isn’t it significant that this verse points to the ministry of teaching as the key to the transfer of vision?

I understand the difficulty of letting go of an organization that a leader may have birthed, but to hold on, can cause the stagnation and even the death of the dream. I hope that when God calls me in another direction, I will have enough courage to let go and entrust the ministry to reliable men.