Inheritance should not merely be passing on the baton or finding a successor; it's the continuation and development of life, mission, and culture.
Some church leaders believe it's finding a successor, but this understanding is flawed. A painstakingly operated old shop with years of success faces closure as the aging owners find their children unwilling to inherit. If the next generation doesn't appreciate the previous one's work, how can inheritance occur?
If we prepare the next generation only for a job transition, they might lack interest, saying, "You've done well, but sorry, I'm not interested in what you've done." Inheritance far surpasses finding a successor; it's the continuation of the instructor's life, the unit's mission, and the group’s culture, not just the commonly perceived mission.
Many aspects of society require inheritance, a concept we all understand. But why should the church inherit? Because the God in whom Christians believe is a God of eternal inheritance. God's intention is for humans to govern the world He created and dwell with Him. God is self-existent and eternal, but humans are not. Humanity must, therefore, carry out the work of inheritance according to certain standards and principles, so that they can govern the world and the church following God's will.
Jesus said, 'My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working,' signifying inheritance. After Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, He instructed His disciples to continue His work by advancing the Great Commission until His return.
Many, including some church leaders, mistakenly think that preparing for inheritance should begin when they're almost unable to work, but this approach is incorrect.
Regarding inheritance, the earlier, the better, ideally as it starts on the first day of leadership. Successors aren't "discovered" but "nurtured." Therefore, inheritance must be a dedicated and particularly significant effort.
When potentially suitable individuals are identified within a team or institution, their training should start immediately. Leaders should select appropriate successors from among them, and nurture them as future leaders, from whom they finally choose the successor.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
传承不应该只是交棒、接棒、寻找一个接班人，而是一个生命、使命、文化的延续和发展。
什么是传承？
有人认为传承就是找个接班人，这样的理解是有误解和问题的。
一家苦心经营多年的老店，生意一直很好，但是现在经营者已经上了年纪，但是孩子却并不愿意继承，最后只能够关门大吉。
如果下一代人完全不欣赏上一代人所作的事情的话，怎么可能做到传承呢？如果我们为下一代所预备的就只是工作的交接的话，他们会不感兴趣，“你们做得很好，但是抱歉，我对你们做得这些并不感兴趣。”
事实上，传承远远超过了找接棒人。传承是整个传授者的生命、整个单位的使命与整个运作的文化的延续与发展。而不是通常意义上很多人所理解的只有使命。
为什么教会要传承？
社会上的很多事物需要传承，这个我们都能够理解。但是，为什么教会也要传承？因为基督教信仰的上帝是一位永续传承的上帝。
上帝的心意就是要人治理祂所创造的这个世界并且让人与上帝同住。上帝是自有永有的，可是人却不是。人类就必须要按照一定的标准和原则做好传承工作，如此才能够按照上帝的心意治理世界、教会。
耶稣说，“我父做事直到如今，我也做事。”而这就是传承。耶稣钉十字架、复活、升天以后，祂也教导门徒们通过推进大使命来延续祂的工作，直到基督再来。
传承应当从什么时候开始？
很多人包括一些教会领袖都错误地认为，传承的预备应当从自己快要做不动的时候开始，这样的做法实际上是错误的。
传承方面，越早开始越好，最好能够在担任领袖的第一天就开始。传承人并不是“发现”的，而是需要“培养”的。因此，传承必须要作为一项专门而且特别重要的工作来抓。
当发现团队或者机构当中有可能适合的人的时候，就要马上开始培养他们。从中拣选出来合适的承接者，把他们培养成为预备领袖，然后从这些预备领袖当中挑选出来正式的承接人。
中国教会传承探讨系列（一）|传承最好能在担任领袖的第一天就开始
Inheritance should not merely be passing on the baton or finding a successor; it's the continuation and development of life, mission, and culture.
Some church leaders believe it's finding a successor, but this understanding is flawed. A painstakingly operated old shop with years of success faces closure as the aging owners find their children unwilling to inherit. If the next generation doesn't appreciate the previous one's work, how can inheritance occur?
If we prepare the next generation only for a job transition, they might lack interest, saying, "You've done well, but sorry, I'm not interested in what you've done." Inheritance far surpasses finding a successor; it's the continuation of the instructor's life, the unit's mission, and the group’s culture, not just the commonly perceived mission.
Many aspects of society require inheritance, a concept we all understand. But why should the church inherit? Because the God in whom Christians believe is a God of eternal inheritance. God's intention is for humans to govern the world He created and dwell with Him. God is self-existent and eternal, but humans are not. Humanity must, therefore, carry out the work of inheritance according to certain standards and principles, so that they can govern the world and the church following God's will.
Jesus said, 'My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working,' signifying inheritance. After Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, He instructed His disciples to continue His work by advancing the Great Commission until His return.
Many, including some church leaders, mistakenly think that preparing for inheritance should begin when they're almost unable to work, but this approach is incorrect.
Regarding inheritance, the earlier, the better, ideally as it starts on the first day of leadership. Successors aren't "discovered" but "nurtured." Therefore, inheritance must be a dedicated and particularly significant effort.
When potentially suitable individuals are identified within a team or institution, their training should start immediately. Leaders should select appropriate successors from among them, and nurture them as future leaders, from whom they finally choose the successor.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Topic: Succeeding Should Start on Church Leader's First Day of Office
