I wonder why people often hold me to a greater level of responsibility, why they get disappointed in me when I don't live to certain expectations, while claiming they're, “Only human,” when they mess up? My mission in life is to destroy the myth that young people have nothing to say and nothing to contribute to the body of Christ. I'm a firm believer that we can learn from one another. The brevity and certainty of life has nothing to do with how many years I've lived, but have everything to do with how I lived with the years I've got.

by Neil Brown

I had finished preaching and was at the back of the church with my mother in a receiving line with the membership telling me how much they had enjoyed the sermon on that particular Communion Sunday. One of the mothers approached me to encourage me. She said some wonderful things that had spoken directly to my heart, but then an unusual turn of events took place: she asked me my age.

At that time I was 28. At that time, I was still somewhat new to my present church, and was still getting to know names and faces. It took me by surprise to discover that my age was so important. She was in shock that a young man “my age” could deliver a passionate and authoritative message to the church body.

I had never given it a second thought. I never realized that church folks all over town had been seeing me this way. And I suppose that at one point or another it has become a detriment and an advantage. I am 32 but I look like I'm probably 25. One of the ladies on my job guessed that I was 22 which made me blink 132 times and shake my head in complete disbelief.

I find it amazing that we still equate age with wisdom.

I'm not discounting elders, for I enjoy senior citizens. They have a richer and fuller understanding of history because, for them, history was an experience. Books can never tell me what experience has lived. But, even with all of that, I believe that I have some degree of wisdom at “my age.” I will tell you it makes it more difficult to deal with people who feel that I'm too young for the work of God. I was called to the ministry when I was 23, and people were happy for me, but they were more consumed with what I could do for the “young people."

What about the elders? Why is there a feeling that someone “my age” has nothing to say to an older generation? Paul told Timothy to let no man despise your youth, but rather told him to be an example and to rely on what he had been taught. Paul told him to have a stick-to-it-and-persevere attitude. But as a young man in the ministry, I must admit that it is discouraging to think, to know, and to experience discriminatory attitudes in the church regarding how old I am. I have to work harder to get my ideas across. I have to study twice as much and twice as hard to achieve understanding of scripture and figure out the best way to teach it.

My mission in life is to destroy the myth that young people have nothing to say and nothing to contribute to the body of Christ. I have had some trials and tribulations that I wouldn't wish on anybody no matter what your age. I'm a firm believer that my experiences serve as a ministering opportunity. I'm a firm believer that we can learn from one another, and age has nothing to do with that. I cannot think any less of you or any better of you because of your birth year. The brevity and certainty of life has nothing to do with how many years I've lived, but have everything to do with how I lived with the years I've got.

I struggle with getting people to take me seriously. And, I figure, if I have problems, what about those even younger than me who have more to say than I do? When do they get their chance? What do they have to do in order to be heard by their churches, their leadership and their community? What does it take for us to meet each other on level ground without preconceived notions and ideas?

The Bible is full examples of young people serving God and making a difference in the lives of their communities. From the Hebrew Boys to King David. Reflect on Jeremiah and the prophets. Mary, Timothy: these were all young people who believed in God and had strong faith and convictions. And, whether we believe it or not, our faith is not only based on Jesus Christ but also these young people who, though ordinary, did extraordinary things.

I don't have to do extraordinary things, I just have to walk by faith and not by sight. So I'm no longer discouraged by the fact that people are more interested about my age than my ministry. And I don't expect things to change overnight, but I'm committing myself to dispelling the myth that young people have nothing to say about Jesus Christ and their faith.

Neil M. Brown
30 November 2003
holla@neilbrown.org
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