Believe for It, page 2
Research shows that in weighing their own priorities, the next generation places parenthood and marriage far above financial or career success. The young people filling our pews longed to see a model of a strong, loving marriage. They craved the security and acceptance we could offer. They desired parental figures who could guide them spiritually, hold them accountable, and support them. And they found those things in Alvin and me. In those earlier days, pastoring looked more like parenting, but it bore much fruit.
I thought back to my mom and dad. Though part of the silent generation, with the Lord’s help, they had reversed the curse of a fractured family and given my nine siblings and me the blessings of a loving home centered on Christ. This idea of older generations passing down faith to the younger is not a new idea. Scripture contains more than 150 references to generations. Consider a few:
Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord. (Psalm 102:18)
One generation shall praise Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4, NKJV)
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. (Luke 1:50)
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. (Psalm 71:18)
I particularly love that last one. The psalmist expressly asks the Lord to be with him in his old age so that he may declare God’s power to the next generation. As I walked alongside the young people in our church, this was my prayer too—that God would allow me to pass on faith to those who are to come.
The charge to parents to pass on faith to their children appears early in Scripture. We see a perfect example of this teaching in Deuteronomy 6. Just after presenting the Ten Commandments, Moses orders the people—every generation—to honor the Lord and obey His commands. He says, “Always remember these commands I give you today. Teach them to your children, and talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (6:6–7, NCV).
Passing on faith to the next generation is to be an immersive, all-of-life activity. Parents are to talk to their children about God constantly. They are to aggressively teach them the truth every day, every opportunity they get, so that their children will know the truth from the counterfeit.
When I think about my own upbringing, this method happened naturally in our home. The Winans kids were in church at least three days a week (more if there was a shut-in or revival). When we weren’t at school or church, we were in the home singing gospel music, hearing the Word as part of family discussions, or preparing to serve in some way. We had fun and the usual family antics, of course, but faith was a natural and prevalent part of our lives. Even at a young age, when I had a problem, I knew to pray and seek the Lord’s wisdom. When my siblings and I engaged in the usual arguments (and we did), we understood that God wanted us to forgive each other so that we could be forgiven. And when Mom or Dad put forth an edict, their word was law, and we honored it.
Passing on faith to the next generation is to be an immersive, all-of-life activity.
Passing on faith looked a little different when I was raising my own children, but Alvin and I made church a priority, and we made sure to make God’s Word and His ways central to our household. Looking back, we could have done more, but I’m thankful for God’s grace in allowing us to raise a son and daughter who know the Lord and follow Him despite our shortcomings.
When my children were grown, I was tempted to believe that my job was complete. I hoped to one day be a grandmother pouring into my grandbabies, as my own Grandmother Howze had done for me, but it felt like I had checked the Deuteronomy 6 box. What God began to show me was that the command to tell the next generation about who God is and about His plan for humanity extends beyond the nuclear family. Don’t get me wrong— the nuclear family is a powerful vessel for transmitting authentic faith. However, Scripture is clear that this task is to be a community effort.
In Jewish culture each celebration and feast includes teachings for the children about who God is and what He has done. During the Feast of Passover, the children ask questions, which are answered by their elders. In the New Testament, we see that part of the function of the church is to provide a community where older generations teach the younger ones. Passing on the faith is not something that happens by osmosis. Quite the contrary. The task requires consistent, diligent, prayerful effort from both the parents and the entire faith community.
GENERATIONS
Pastoring a diverse church of millennials was a wake-up call. I began to realize that the greatest thing I could leave to my children is my faith. The best investment of my time would be in pursuits that would result in the next generation being grounded in faith. As I witnessed the great need for spiritual investment in those who attended our church, I felt a sense of urgency to be a part of this important work of passing on faith.
In 2021, God put it on my heart to create a YouTube show called Generations to serve as a platform to invest in the spiritual lives of the next generation. Watching my son and his friends experience God in our living room and kitchen inspired me to create a casual, homey environment for the show. Each episode features me and my guests—often my mother, my daughter, and my sisters— gathered around in the kitchen, coffee cups in hand.
We discuss topics such as walking in faith, pursuing wholeness, honoring those who deserve honor, practicing gratitude, and celebrating holidays. The purpose of these discussions about life and faith is to start conversations that reflect the words of Titus 2:3–5:
In the same way, teach older women to be holy in their behavior, not speaking against others or enslaved to too much wine, but teaching what is good. Then they can teach the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be wise and pure, to be good workers at home, to be kind, and to yield to their husbands. Then no one will be able to criticize the teaching God gave us. (NCV)
Whew! That’s powerful. We teach those who are younger how to walk out their faith so that no one will be able to criticize the teaching God gave us. What a holy calling. But the exchange of wisdom goes both ways. Scripture reminds us that we who are seasoned saints can also learn from those who are young. In God’s kingdom the aged don’t have a corner on the market when it comes to spiritual knowledge and insight. The apostle Paul exhorted the young pastor Timothy, saying, “Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life” (1 Timothy 4:12, NCV).
That’s why I’ve invited my daughter, Ashley, and other young guests onto the show to share the wisdom God has given them as my brothers and sisters in Christ. We can all learn from each other. I regularly receive insight and a fresh perspective from these younger believers.
The Generations show grew into the Generations conference, which brought together women of faith of all ages to teach God’s Word and pass on knowledge that will help the next generation thrive in faith. Through the show and the conference, we initiate conversations about how faith plays an important part in every area of life.
Psalm 119:105 tells us that God’s Word is a lamp for our feet and a light on our path. The truth of that statement isn’t limited to one culture or one demographic— it’s for everybody of every age all over the world. God’s wisdom and His way of doing things offers us the best paths to walk our life. It’s vital for the younger generations to grasp that, and it’s vital that the older generations convey their knowledge and experience on the matter.
Today I’m part of the older generation, but it seems like just yesterday I was part of the younger one. I was a young woman, beginning my music career, learning how to be a wife and mother, receiving from the older women in my life. How grateful I am for their investment in me as I learned to walk with the Spirit and grow deeper in faith. Their influence fortified me on the path God had for me.
But time passes quickly. As a young person you may be primarily on the receiving end, and if you’re not careful, you’ll stay in that position and forget the responsibility God has given you to pour into the next generation. I think some of us in our fifties, sixties, and beyond have become stuck. Instead of looking for ways to actively declare God’s power to the next generation, we worry about feeling respected and comfortable at church.
Before Alvin and I founded Nashville Life Church, we were considering retirement and taking a long trip to Hawaii. Those plans quickly changed as we pressed into the adventure God was calling us to. My good friend Dr. Bridget Hilliard has said, “In God’s kingdom there’s not retiring, only restructuring.” This has been very true of mine and Alvin’s last decade. As I’ve come to better understand God’s call on every believer to pass on faith, I have realized that stepping into this role of nurturing the faith of the next generation is a lifelong pursuit.
THE TIME IS NOW
Several years ago, I felt a growing sense of urgency. After nearly forty years of singing and touring, I felt a pull toward teaching and making disciples like I never had before. I continued to make music, but God was doing a new thing in me. Through my service at Nashville Life, I saw the incredible fruit that came from investing in young people and the benefits we all gained from intergenerational relationships.
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise” (NCV). That is exactly what God has impressed on my heart. By His blessing I have enjoyed a fruitful career in gospel and contemporary Christian music that has given me opportunities beyond what I could have imagined. But now is not the time to rest on my laurels. Just the opposite.
One of the reasons I am so passionate about the message of the importance of generations is because I sense the battle we’re in. Ephesian 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” I find it interesting that the phrase “flesh and blood” is used in this passage. It denotes that our battle is not physical, but in our culture it also carries the meaning of our blood relations. God is calling us not to engage in battle with the next generation, but to fight for it, against the forces of evil.
You don’t have to look far to see the victories the enemy is winning in the lives of our youth. From bullying and mental health issues to addiction and suicide, the next generation faces some significant challenges. Scripture tells us that this world is under the influence of Satan, who is actively deceiving those who don’t know God. The devil has his sights set on turning the next generation away from faith and the truth of God’s Word. He would love nothing more than for us to be distracted from our God-given task of passing on faith.
First Peter 5:8 warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” The upcoming generations have a target on their backs. When I think back to my son’s challenge to the Lord—“whoever gets me first”— I am deeply grateful that God stepped in. I trust that God answered my prayers and those of so many others when He took hold of Alvin’s heart and life. I can’t discount the influence and blessing of my great-grandfather, my grandparents, and my parents in how everything worked out.
Another reason Generations is a timely message is because the allure of the world is strong. When I was growing up, worldliness was around. My parents only allowed us to listen to gospel music, fearing that the popular music of the day might have a negative influence on us. That concern seems mild compared to the influence the culture exerts today through the prevalence of the digital media and streaming entertainment. Surveys have shown that the average age a child receives a smartphone is ten years old, while 25 percent of kids under six have one.
Consider the words of 1 John 2:16: “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” God’s way and the world’s way are in direct opposition to one another. Many young people growing up today are being schooled in the ways of the world rather than the ways of God. The lust of the flesh and the eyes is accepted and even celebrated as we tell young people they deserve everything they want in life. Pride is rampant and seen in the arrogance, self-reliance, and spirit of offense that marks the world around us.
While observations like these can paint a picture of gloom and doom, I see many reasons for hope, and the existence of generations is one of them. God works through generations. Each one has its own unique way of expressing faith in God, and the Lord is faithful to every generation. The rising generation is meant to follow the faithful example of the generations who have gone before. This is God’s design for the good of all people and for His glory.
Psalm 145:4–7 lays out a beautiful template for God’s plan for the generations.
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
I love the verbs in this passage: they commend, they tell, they speak, they meditate, they proclaim, they celebrate, they sing. Yes, they sing! That takes me straight back to growing up in the Winans family. Not only did my parents proclaim God’s wonderful works, but they also praised them and sang about them! Deuteronomy 6 talks of the many places we are to instruct our young people in God’s precepts—along the road, sitting at home, when we lie down—and Psalm 145 tells us the many ways to say it.
Passing on faith to the next generation is meant to be a totally organic part of the Christian life—the outgrowth of a sincere and living faith. My hope is that by the end of this book, you will recognize how God has equipped you for this important task. I have discovered the deep joy that comes from joining Him in His pursuit of the next generation, and I want you to experience it too.
QUESTIONS to CONSIDER
• Who is someone in the older generation who has had an influence on you?
• What is one way you can participate in passing down faith to the next generation?
1. Russell Heimlich, “Missing Mom or Dad,” Pew Research Center, March 22, 2010, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2010/03/22/missing-mom-or-dad/.
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CHURCH IS NECESSARY
When I was growing up, about half of my waking hours were spent at church. On Sundays, the Winans family would arrive at church around 8:00 in the morning for Sunday school, which would be followed by a hearty breakfast of homemade biscuits, rice and gravy, eggs, and too many other delicious foods to mention. The mothers and grandmothers of the church prepared the feast, and I can still taste those biscuits melting in my mouth.
After breakfast, my whole family would attend Sunday morning service for two hours. Mom could sit us down in the front row and shoot us a look that dared us to move. No food was allowed in the sanctuary, and I still remember stern but kind ushers extending their white-gloved hands to relieve us of our chewing gum, which was also forbidden. We were taught from a young age to treat the house of the Lord with respect.
Pastor Jesse Stacks would preach the Word as my parents and other members of the congregation shouted, “Amen!” and “Yes, Lord!” As Pastor Stacks would be winding down his passionate message, the smell of homemade rolls, mac and cheese, collard greens, and sweet potatoes would waft through the air, causing our stomachs to growl and our mouths to water.
We’d file out of the morning service, greeting one another as we transitioned to enjoying Sunday dinner together. Along with the main dish, the counter would be filled with homemade cakes, pies, and even ice cream. When I became an adult, I realized how much work went into all that food. Most of us cook like this for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but these ladies prepared and brought a lavish feast every single Sunday!
After dinner, I’d go to Sunshine Band, our children’s church, and my older brothers would head off to the programming for youth. Between band and the night service, the adults would visit while the kids ran and played outside or ran down to the corner store to buy penny candy. When 7:00 p.m. rolled around, we’d return to the main sanctuary for Sunday night service, which included worship, prayer, and another sermon. Many times, we wouldn’t get home until after 10:00 p.m.
I’m sure few of us can imagine spending that amount of time in church today. Nowadays, folks start getting antsy and looking at their watches if the pastor preaches for more than thirty minutes. (I like to say that people are in a hurry to rush back to the struggle, because really, that’s what awaits them.) But in those days, church was a one-stop shop where we received from God’s Word and worshipped, but also where we ate, played, discussed the latest news, encouraged, worked, laughed, and belonged. I think Mom and Dad must have breathed a sigh of relief when the twelve of us stepped through that door of Mack Avenue Church of God in Christ on Sunday morning. They knew that an extended chosen family of aunts, uncles, and grandparents would be waiting to step in as surrogate caretakers of their brood.
Church wasn’t just a marathon Sunday for us either. During the week we attended evening services on Tuesdays and Fridays, and choir rehearsals were on Saturday. There were always special events going on, such as revivals or shut-ins, where we stayed up all night praying and fasting. When I say we grew up in church, we grew up in church. That was the way of Pentecostal churches back then, and we loved it.
We all benefited from the community we found at Mack Avenue, the church my great-grandfather Winans had founded. Not only did we grow up with other Christian families by our side, we understood on a deep level that we were part of something bigger. Every generation was present, and each played a part in serving the body of Christ. From oldest to youngest, we all had a role; we all used our gifts. Pastor Stacks preached. The mothers and grandmothers made food. The men served as ministers and deacons. The young adults served as babysitters and role models. And the Winans sang.
