Christ-inspired leadership is important for younger generations, said David Potts, president of Judson College, during his presentation of the LEADERconnect theme at the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting Nov. 19.
Spending most of his professional life in Christian higher education, Potts noted the importance of young people seeing and learning from authentic Christian leadership.
“Hence the time spent and the things we do are important in those brief moments when they are watching and listening,” he said.
Opening to Luke 9:28–36, Potts read of Christ’s example of connecting with God, connecting with purpose and connecting with people at Christ’s transfiguration on the mount.
“Jesus had the habit of stepping aside for uninterrupted and focused time with the Father,” Potts said alluding to His connecting with God. It was through this time with God that Christ was connecting with His purpose — His death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.
The problem is that sometimes Christians want to connect with God and His purpose but never want to come down off the mount, Potts said.
“But Jesus commands us to come down from the mount and connect with people.” And these are all kinds of people, he added, the lost, sick, lonely and oppressed.
“Christ’s purposes in people should be our purposes in people,” he said, noting the importance of reaching out to people of different ages, lifestyles and beliefs.
With a focus on college and high school students, Potts explained that the needs of the young are not so different from the needs of adults and that God’s call to the Great Commission is a key factor that bridges the gap.
“Every week our state Baptist paper reports outreach to the lost, sick and oppressed,” Potts said, specifically referencing a recent article about the military in which Pastor Scott Bush emphasized the “ministry of presence.”
It is through that presence, Potts explained, that evangelism, disaster relief and authenticity of religion are brought to life.
“The college students and youth of our churches and those around us are searching for meaning today,” Potts said.
“Jesus Christ remains the answer.”
Potts challenged Alabama churches to show younger generations the way to Christ through biblical leadership.
“College students are wanting to see a difference and make a difference,” Potts said.
“They long for honest, authentic Christian leadership. By connecting with God, connecting with His purpose and connecting with people, you and I are able to fulfill every aspect of great Christian ministry and thereby provide authenticity of living in Christ that is compelling to college students and the younger generations.”
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