I’m not a dreamer but I had a dream last night that may have changed that for me. I guess I’m getting older and the bible does say that “your old men shall dream dreams”.
I dreamed a very clear and concise dream that I believe God wants me to share. I don’t care about the length of this post. (I believe those who are supposed to read this will, everyone else will drop out right here or somewhere before they are done.) I just believe I’m supposed to share it.) I believe it will help somebody to get right with God before it’s too late.
The dream was specific. It was about the lack of respect for the elders/pastors and enduring leaders of the church. God showed me a Tsunami of quick rising, ego driven, prideful and selfish, young unholy preachers, covering the landscape of the church. He showed me a proliferation of young false apostles, young false prophets, and young homiletic wonders who sound good but have zero power to affect change in the lives of people. He showed me young preachers who’s aim is to take over the churches of those who have worked hard to build their legacies rather than building their own legacies through their own sweat and self-sacrifice.
He showed me young preachers snatching and stealing the batons out of the hands of leaders who would easily pass it on to them by means of some sort of succession, but only once their character is developed. He showed me leaders that are ready to pass it on but only if the young leaders would serve the people of God rather than preach sermons that tickle their ears and so to draw away disciples after themselves (a fan club) and not after Jesus.
He showed me in the dream a weak, worldly church of flesh and entertainment lead by wild and rebellious, tatted up and disrespectful, young leaders that are more socially conscious, nationalistic and seeker friendly than they are obedient to the voice of God and the will of God for His Church.
I went through this dream in great anguish and in much more detail than I can write here. When I awoke I couldn’t shake it, it was so real and piercing to my soul.
Let me say that I am not perfect and also I was young once in ministry. I learned what it was like to have to serve in the midst of tradition and serve where there was no honor or respect given to young people. I raised two kids and took care of a wife on 25 dollar preaching offerings and riding the bus to go and preach because the 2 door Chevy Chevette we drove didn’t have enough gas for me to go and preach and my wife to get to work the next week. I know what it’s like to be hated on and chased by a Saul while you’re just trying to do the will of God. I know what it’s like to sell a pint of blood to buy food for your family to eat while you’re in full-time ministry serving the people of God. Lastly, I know what’s like to wait on God for what He wants for your life, but not until after He’s built character in you and made sure that you were morally, domestically and spiritually ready and mature enough to lead His people and shepherd His flock.
So, young preacher “Stop it”. There are no short cuts. Preaching is a calling, not a profession. The scriptures declare: Rom 15:20 NLT
“20 My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.”
Check yourself before you wreck yourself. God loves you and He will make room for you. Do not try and make room for yourself at the expense of the labor of those before you. Develop your own legacy and your own reputation. (Fear God and perfect holiness in the sight of God.)
Old preachers and older leaders, some of this is our own faults. We have not stewarded these gifted young people as we should in many cases and rebellion has been the result of our mismanagement of their roles in our lives. It is now time for you to look out among you. Find you some young people of good report, good character, full of the Holy Ghost. Teach them, lead them, pour into them. Hold yourselves and them to a higher standard domestically, morality and spiritually. Bring order to the house of God and this will help keep shysters, crooks and false prophets and teachers out of our pulpits and from among our local churches.
Older preachers put together a succession plan that will protect your legacy and at the same time help someone else fulfill theirs. Pass the baton when it’s time. Don’t hold on too long but don’t let go too early. God showed me that we’ve got to die empty but we’ve also got to die fulfilled.
We can’t see this dream as a warning to young wayward preachers only. This is a warning to the existing church structure that it is time to get it together and start thinking in terms of generations. What we have built that is of God and of substance will be passed on to those of the next generations. We can’t leave it in the hands of un-anointed, self-proclaimed, young apostles and prophets and homiletic wonders. Let’s leave it in the hands of those who have been vetted through their service and love for God and his people who have labored in another man’s vineyard without much mishap and controversy.
I submit this dream to whoever took the time to read it all. If you need any help as a young preacher or feel convicted as an old preacher, inbox me. I believe I can help you, this also was a part of the dream.
—Vaughn McLaughlin (Servant of the Most High God.)
