The Tale Of The Two Generations
(A Must Read By All)
Ecclesiastes 1
KJV
4+ One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
After absenting myself from several meetings convened by the Tema joint leadership, I happened to attend the just-ended one held at the auditorium of the Vertical Centre church last Saturday (10th January )
The Meeting was convened to discuss /approve the proposed budgets presented by three technical committees on collaborative efforts among the churches within the Tema Region.
One committee’s submission is what prompted this writeup , it has to do with evangelism and land acquisition The group did a good job by identifying areas where the Church should acquire land
In their submission, they presented to the House the current market prices of properties within the catchment areas. These were mixed prices some low others high.
During the course of deliberations, I made the following submission to the intent that collective efforts should be made to acquire these properties
In my submission, I admitted the historical omission that the first generation (of which I am a part ) made when it comes to land ( property ) acquisition.
I alluded to the cries and blame that the present generation has often made against the pioneer generation by pointing to these omissions by the “ pioneers “
I made the point that each generation faces a unique challenge and tries to overcome it. It is only when these are put in their historical context that the presumed “ omissions “ can be understood.
The pioneer generation had as its mission the challenge of proclaiming for the first time a Message that was new and unheard of in the Ghanaian religious environment. A call to return to New Testament Christianity!
The prevailing religious climate ( denominationalism) has gained much ground in Ghana such that for the pioneer generation to make a breakthrough they require total mobilisation of resources and focus.
It is a fact attested to by all that “foundation” laying is not an easy task. In the case of the pioneer generation, they had to break through an established mindset of beliefs and practices held over decades.
They need to create a space, announce their presence, set up an operational base etc.
Readers should conduct their own historical search on how long Catholicism, Anglicanism, and Presbyterianism have been in Ghana. These were three (3) formidable Faiths that the pioneer generation had to contend with.
It was for this reason that attention and resources were focused and invested in preaching the message of “restoration “
Which effort by the grace of God resulted in the conversion and establishment of hundreds if not thousands of congregations scattered around the country?
The pioneer generation is credited with these achievements , their efforts were geared to making an entry in the Ghanaian religious space as a first step. Which they did successfully!
They planted more churches than this generation, a fact attested to by the historical records available! Of the over three thousand churches of Christ in Ghana, two-thirds were planted by the pioneer generation!
I made the point to the effect that the pioneer generation confronted with the choice of infrastructure and evangelism, placed a high premium on evangelism!
I must add that this was not deliberate but an unconscious choice /decision which was influenced by developments and challenges of the times!
Beloved, know this, acts of “commission” or “omission” by any generation must be judged with reference to the times, the prevailing circumstances etc under which each lived.
Romans 2
KJV
12+ For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
The efforts of the pioneer generation have brought in souls ( individuals ) who today have contributed to acquiring properties. Their effort was a spirit-driven decision which today is paying greater dividends.
The pioneer generation through their concerted efforts assembled members ( the next generation ) under trees, this generation finding themselves under trees have thought it wise to move from under trees to buildings. It is the case of “baton changing relay race”
One generation laid the foundation for the other to build upon that foundation.
1 Corinthians 3
KJV
10+ According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
Read a paraphrased version ;
1 Corinthians 3
KJV
10+ According to the grace of God which is given unto us the pioneer generation, as wise master builders, we have laid the foundation, for the generation to build thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
Any student of institutional history will tell you that “ each generation leaves behind questions, issues, challenges etc for the next generation to find solutions!” In doing so they advance the cause and purpose for which that institution was established.
This repeats itself as generations come and go, this also explains how nations develop. Each generation adds to what it inherited.
In Marxist political theory, this is called “ dialectical reasoning “ it is framed as “ thesis versus an antithesis resulting in a synthesis”. Which synthesis becomes a working “thesis” for a time, only to be challenged by another “ antithesis “ and the cycle is repeated.
According to Karl Marx, this is how societies develop, a view I share wholeheartedly!
To conclude I hold the view that the pioneer generation did no wrong as they were operating in a time and an environment that required them to focus on the essentials of the time which was evangelism!
It is now the turn of the new generation to maintain the foundations they laid ( evangelism) and also in addition find solutions to the challenges of the time which is infrastructure ( property acquisition). Each generation must rise to the occasion.
Yes
“One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.”
(Paraphrased )
“One generation passeth away, and another generation takes over, but the work of the Lord (Church) will continue”.
My apology/explanation on behalf of the pioneer generation! He who has the mind to think should consider these words of apology from the pioneer generation!