"Passing the Baton"

 

“Passing the Baton”

 

In relay races the most crucial element isn’t the runners’ speed but passing the baton which each participant must carry during his or her portion of the event. It must be transferred within a specified zone on the track or the team will be disqualified. And dropping it means almost certain defeat. So the runners practice the maneuver constantly to avoid mishaps.

Figuratively “passing the baton” refers to a transition of responsibility and leadership. It’s used for changes in politics, business, ministry and even families. Due to human mortality this process is inevitable at some point. And just as in preparation for track meets this transfer exercise is necessary to continue smooth functioning. In politics it’s done every four or eight years at presidential changes after a transitional period of about eleven weeks between Election Day in early November and Inauguration Day on January 20. A family business in one of the towns in which we served is now led by the fourth generation but each CEO has been thoroughly trained in every aspect of the company’s operation and philosophy according to Christian principles before the baton is passed on. And after our mother’s death in 2014 my brother noted that I was the oldest McMillan and therefore our family patriarch. In each of these cases and literally millions of others the new baton bearer is charged with continuing to provide direction according to legal, historical and biblical guidelines—often all three.

When Joshua died after leading the Israelites in occupying Canaan it’s written that “Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him….” (Joshua 24:31). But he’d neglected to pass the baton by training new leaders (“…There arose another generation who did not know the Lord….”—Judges 2:10, NASB) and chaos resulted. Compare this outcome with Jesus’ words in His prayer just before Calvary: “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me (i.e. His disciples) out of the world…As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:6,18). What happened? They were used by God to lead in the establishment of Christ’s church which is still alive and well after 2000 years as they and succeeding generations trained others according to Paul’s instructions in 2 Timothy 2:2 and passed the baton until the present day. We as present-day believers now have the baton in this race called life—are we equipping those who follow us to receive it?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(For more on this subject see “Succession”.)