What to do with the Old?

In the church leadership pastor world, I see this interesting trend among “young” leaders.  It started with my generation with good intention, but has left the younger generation, I believe, thinking this is the way to do it.  It’s called planting churches.

I know there’s a lot of good reasons to plant or start a church.  I know there’s a lot of reasons why starting a church is more appealing.  I know that some older pastors are too tied into their generation to partner with the young leaders to help them reach their generation.  And I know there are a lot of egos, both old AND the young, that cause new churches to start.

But I have to wonder what it’s going to look like in the next 10 to 15 years?  There are these beautiful places of worship closing doors and new church plants looking for a place to meet.  I believe older churches have to stop being a historical museum and be strong enough to embrace, learn from and mentor a younger leader.  I believe younger leaders should embrace the blood, sweat, tears and wisdom of the previous generation and not be so quick to throw the good out with the bad.  But maybe that’s just too much work.