The Reverend Dr Rowland Croucher is the Pastor's Pastor and founder of John Mark Ministries, which in essence is a vast ministry of pastoral care for ministers, damaged ministers and former ministers, along with a huge archive of Christian academia on all such issues.
The Rev. Dr Croucher is one of Australia's most recognised ministers; his pedigree is undisputed and he has ministered to me on numerous occasions. Every minister / pastor is encouraged to have a reflection person. His series on Homosexuality and the Bible – 6 articles is a major work with biblical exegesis, the hermeneutics and pastoral issues.
In my view, this has covered many bases but one he has left out. The question of where our focus might be centred—to me it's the next generation, rather than the current generation. Even the political debate right now is on 'fiscal repair' for the next generation—the great 'moral question' for the next generation as Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull claims. Even the environment debate focuses on the 'next generation' – the Green's highlight this constantly.
The generations
Judges chapter 2, verse 10: "When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the work which He had done for Israel."
In my view there is both (1) an application for Christian ministry here and (2) even greater wider secular (non-religious) application to this genre of "generation" after "generation". It is this wider non-religious application where my interest lies. I invite you to consider our Australian society, let alone societies around the world.
The question is: what are we geared to? All of us focus on the next generation and the next. Government fiscal policies necessarily focus on our children. Our education system focuses on the next generation. Our inventiveness, IT, transport, the Very Fast Train, motor vehicles, engineering, psychics, flying, the sciences, medicine, mathematics, roads, public health, water, the environment ... you name it—it focuses on the next generation and the next.
It's the nation's children and their children. That's the focus. As a grandfather not only do I have a natural attention on my adult children, but on my grandchildren, and it won't be long in the larger scheme of things, their children (i.e. my great grandchildren). My life as a citizen of Australia and as a Christian minister has a dual focus on the next generation. Indeed Judges chapter 2, verse 10 applies to me and every Christian leader; for want of a word: it is about evangelism.
Next generation
In my way of thinking, unless we have a focus on the next generation we end up becoming a 'selfish' nation and 'me' focused (hedonism). Yes, I concur, there are couples who for natural, medical or personal reasons are unable or choose not to have children. The Bible speaks of this and the Apostle Paul speaks of this. Nevertheless the priority focus of the nation on the 'next generation' never deviates.
Yes, I concur immigration has been a feature of Australia's history. Social cohesion is right now a national issue. Are the 12,000 refugees invited to Australia—Muslims or Christian or Hindus or Buddhists. Should 15% of the Australian population, for whatever reason, not have children (natural, medical, same sex, choice), this affects the future and it affects social cohesion through immigration for my grandchildren and their children. To deny this is living on planet loopie.
Some things I observe provide a "shaking of the head". Those who shout for the environment for future generations; and at the same unrepentant about their demands and insatiable pronouncements regarding LGBTI support; me me me me me .... the incompatibility of these two is .....
My prayer for my grandchildren and their children
19th century American evangelist DL Moody was said to take time each morning and walk behind the woodshed, where he would implore the Lord in his morning devotions for the salvation of his yet to be born grandchildren and their children.
At my eldest daughter's wedding, way back in 2004, my public prayer was for their children and their children's children in coming to salvation and serving the Lord.
This nation's political focus is on our children and their children, the next generation and the next. For those who follow the Lord our focus—like Judges chapter 2, verse 10—must be on their salvation so that it cannot be said of us that a generation arose that knew not the things of the Lord.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html