The document discusses the importance of mentoring younger generations, referred to as "Timothys". It notes that Paul often worked with Timothy and referred to him as a brother. A Timothy is described as a protégé, heir, or apprentice being mentored and passed the baton. It's important for older generations to teach Timothys with love and give them space to find their own voice. Younger generations often learn, play, work and do church differently, with different values, so it's important for mentors to understand their world. Mentors need to consider being "different", not just "better", to effectively mentor those coming after them.

1. Who’s Your Timothy? March 13 th 2009

2. The Elephant Story

7. 2 Cor 1:1 “ Paul , an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother…” “ Paul and Timothy , servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints…” Phil 1:1

8. Col 1:1 “ Paul , an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother.” “ Paul, Silas and Timothy , To the church…” 1 & 2 Thess 1:1

9. A Timothy is… A protégé An heir An apprentice A younger and less mature version of yourself Someone you have to pass the baton to

10. A descendant in faith and life

11. Why are Timothys’ important?

12. They are next in line…

13. Teach them with your love and life

14. Give Them Space Give them ‘space’

15. Help them find their voice

17. CLONE? HEIR?

18. “ The young should respect their elders, and the elders should love their juniors.” Rule of St. Benedict

19. List down TWO differences between your generation and the one after you Do they learn differently? Do they play differently? Do they work differently? Do they ‘do church’ differently? Do they practise discipleship differently? Do they get excited by different things? Do they have different values ? Is all this good or bad?!

20. Is it more important to be ‘BETTER’ or to be ‘DIFFERENT’?

21. ‘ Better’ ‘ Different’

22. ‘Better’ means: Doing what you’re ALREADY doing (except…) Doing it faster, better, bigger, etc. ‘ Different’ means: Doing something entirely new, unique, fresh,

24. Better or Different?

25. Better or Different?

29. Either / Or Predictable / Linear Certainty Machine-Like Conclusion Answers Get the Point ? Proof Reason Criticism Both / And Chaotic / Loopy Mystery Organic Continuity Questions See the Picture ? Imagination Experience Creation

31. Creeds Order Doctrine / Dogma (Epistles) Word-Based Answers lead the way “ How do I get to Heaven?” Heresy the biggest crime You must remember and believe Absolute Truth Anchor Parables Spontaneity Stories / Narrative (Gospels) Multi-Sensual Questions open the way “ How do we love the world?” Apathy the biggest crime You must think and imagine Many perspectives Wings Traditional Emerging

32. “ Our traditional thinking is concerned with: What-IS . It isn’t good at designing What-CAN-BE .” Edward de Bono

34. For our Timothys’ sake, we need to have one foot in their world…

35. So, who’s your Timothy? Who have you been a Timothy to?