I am using the term “Generational Ministry” here to first refer to ministering to more than one generation of a family in one church. One of the benefits of longer tenured ministries, is the opportunity to serve multiple generations in the same family. I remember a number of older people in the church I serve from when I first arrived. They quickly became my friends, prayer warriors, and encouragers.

As time went by, many of them went on to be with the Lord and their families remained. Now, early in my third decade of ministry here, I have had the opportunity to minister to and with, as many as four generations of families. Sometimes when I see their great-grandchildren, I remember those saints of old who are no longer with us and know that they would be so blessed to have those in their lineage following and loving the Lord.

As great of a blessing as generational ministry is from an earthly and physical standpoint, it is even more important spiritually. Of course God has no grandchildren. He only has children. That said, we have tremendous opportunities to lead people to Jesus, who will lead others to Him, who will others to him and so on.

2 Timothy 1:5 I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also.

This verse focuses on Timothy and references both a physical lineage and a spiritual lineage.

2 Timothy 2:2 And what you have heard from me, in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Paul told Timothy that what he learned from him he was to commit to faithful men who would teach others also. This describes the process of discipleship. As servants of Jesus we grow as his disciples, and in turn disciple others, who will disciple others.

Every pastor who serves the church should be intentionally involved in this process. I do not believe in apostolic succession in the sense it is often presented, but I do believe in discipleship succession. May our lives and our ministries bring glory to God as we reach people with the Gospel, who will then reach others with the Gospel, and continue the work!