Another Change of Command

Having served nearly 23 years in the United States Army, I am somewhat familiar with “Change of Commands.” These ceremonies in the military are significant events. The Ceremonies are normally marked by the outgoing commander handing the unit flag or “guidon” to their senior commander who in turn hands it to the new commander.

In a similar way, there are changes in command in churches as well. The difficulty in churches is that rarely does the outgoing pastor hand the symbol of leadership to the incoming pastor. Churches normally go through a period where the board or an interim pastor has the leadership responsibility.

My home church, Grace Community Church (GCC) in Centennial, CO, is undergoing a change of command. For the past 7 years our Senior Pastor has been Jim Ladd. This is a difficult time because Jim has become more than my Senior Pastor. He is my friend, brother, fellow warrior in the battle and a trusted confidant.

As Jim and Sue head to their next assignment, I want to share some observations I have from Jim’s tenure as my commander.

1. Integrity: Unwavering integrity that never once was in question. His word was his word and it was based on HIS word.

2. Leadership Development: From the very beginning, Jim invested in men and women of all ages, sizes, colors and shapes. The leadership team at GCC is stronger that it has ever been and the list of leaders ready to go is continuing to grow.

3. Intergenerational Intentionality: All ages are important to Jim because I feel that Jim believes all ages are important to God. He has worked very hard to build up ministry to the entire church and not build a church on a single age group.

4. Tackled the Tough Issues: Jim was never afraid or reticent to take on the tough issues and take full responsibility for the decisions.

5. “The Counsel of Many”: This is the actual title of a book by another of my mentors and close friends, Dr Gary A. Sallquist. It applies to Jim in that he was never slow to seek solid counsel from his advisors. You never had the impression that Jim felt he had all the answers. You did know that he felt fully responsible for the answer and always sought counsel.

In the military, I said goodbye to many great commanders. While it was difficult to see them leave, it was always with great joy when they were being recognized and promoted or they were being sent to an assignment of greater responsibility.

That is the case for me now. I am pained by the loss of Jim and Sue from our Grace family. Yet I am overjoyed by seeing them make a move that has God’s fingerprints all over it.

Jim, you are leaving a church that is much stronger than the one of which you took command over seven years ago. We are all better prepared and positioned to serve the Lord and build His Kingdom because of you.

Thank you for being my pastor, friend and fellow warrior.

A Vision for InterGenerational or Just a Slogan

Very often I am with leaders who talk about “InterGenerational” ministry as if it is already happening in a powerful way in their church or organization.

Many times, a closer look reveals that InterGenerational ministry is being given “lip service.” The term is being woven into messages and documents as if that is all that is required. The problem is that many churches appear to believe that InterGenerational ministry can be accomplished by a slogan or including the word in a mission or vision statement.

When InterGenerational is left to a slogan or vision statement and there is no clear strategy to accomplish goals or implement actions, it does not take very long for most of the people to see “the Emperor has no clothes.”

The Holiday Season is a very important time for churches and families. It is a season where the church has an incredible opportunity to bring families closer together and not farther apart.

It is not too late for this year!!

I want to suggest that as churches and families, we look carefully at the activities of the season. I think that we can divide activities into three basic groups.

1. Family activities where we all do something together. We must be sure that we
intentionally plan these types of activities- - games, caroling, events.

2. Activities where one part of the family watches another part of the family do
something. This can be a part of the evening. Things such as children’s Christmas programs can be followed by some family time.

3. Activities where one part of the family does things separate from the rest of the
family. Small Group parties that do not include our children are a good example. Also, time for mom and dad to have a dinner alone is very important.


Like a good diet, our spiritual life must have balance. I like pizza, but not for every meal. I want to do things with my children and my grandchildren. I also want some time with friends and with only my wife.

Churches should take a close look at the diet they are presenting to the church family. There should be balance there as well.

One of the things that my home church does regularly is the shaping of Communion to be a family time. Often we are given the elements and told to hold them and gather with our family. That simply act draws our family closer together.

If we do not look at our activities at this time, InterGenerational can become just a slogan.

A Must for All Leaders

John W. Gardner wrote the following nearly fifty years ago in his book entitled, Excellence; “In short, the varied leadership of our society must come to recognize that one of the great functions of leaders is to help a society to achieve the best that is in it.”

There is no place where that statement takes on greater significance than in the church. Significantly, it is not directed at a single leadership level or age group within the church.

Simply put: Leaders must lead.

The purpose of their leadership is also very clear. Leaders must lead an organization/church “to achieve the best that is in it.”

It does not take an above average IQ to state the obvious: As followers of Jesus Christ, Christ is in us and is head of the church. Therefore our responsibility is to be the best of who we are and do what we were created to do.

As leaders and part of the church, we are not called to be the best of who we are - - we are called to be the best of who HE is.

When those of the church begin to live as followers of Christ and take up the responsibility of leading, we will not have to tell anyone about His church. People will be drawn to His church in numbers that will stagger us.

The Intergenerational Church

I am a very blessed man. I know this and it is not a new revelation. Among the many blessings that God has poured out on me are my family, our ministry team, ACG Board and an incredible number of unbelievable friends that can be counted on regardless of the circumstances. The list is much longer than that but you get an idea of how blessed I am.

One of my great blessings is to have a church to call home and a Pastor who is one of my hero's. He is my Pastor.... but he is also my friend. He also shares my passion and the vision of A Chosen Generation to see the church as the Intergenerational family God intended for us to be.

Yesterday he wrote an article on his blog that we all need to read. It is titled....Helping our Youth Grow Strong. You can find it at: http://jimladd.blogspot.com/

Pastor Jim does not pretend to like all generations because he must as a Pastor... He has a heart and passion for ever generation.

In a few weeks, Grace Community Church will celebrate a new group of "young adults.' This is the fourth consecutive year for the Rites of Passage at Grace.

Pastor Jim does not support the Rites of Passage because he would hurt my feelings if he did not..... (You know how sensitive, fragile and easily hurt I am) ...... He does it because he is a true believer in the power of the Intergenerational Church.

There is such power in all generations working together as OneGeneration for the glory of God.


Jim, thanks for being my Pastor, friend and one of the guys I can count on in any battle.

.