In case you are wondering, I did not spell “Next” wrong. NXT is just another way of saying “Next” or “Next Generation.” The Titleist NXT golf ball “is a high-performance ball delivering low driver and long iron spin for outstanding distance along with excellent shot-stopping control.” Perhaps you watched the amazing show put on by golf pro Jordan Spieth this past weekend at the British Open. Spieth, who used Titleist clubs and balls in his most recent win, is the closest thing we have seen to Tiger Woods since well . . . Tiger Woods.
Golf, like every other sport, is always on the lookout for their next great superstar. We know that golf’s young stars of today include names such as Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Justin Rose, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Patrick Cantlay, and Rory McIlroy. But no one is labeled a major star of golf until they well . . . win a major.
Some of the names above have won a major and some have not. If you don’t know anything about golf, there are only four majors and they include the US Open, the British Open, the Masters, and the PGA Championship. Iseekgolf.com recently conducted a reader’s poll asking who would be golf’s next major star. In other words, what golfer would be next to win their first major. Names included Justin Thomas, Matt Kuchar, and Jon Rahm. But none of those names won the vote. Who did? None other than the golfer I would have voted for myself (pictured below).
Golf is not the only industry looking down the pipeline for the next great star. All business sectors are constantly looking to see who is on the rise. Talent is easy to spot.
I think we should have the same mindset for the ministry, while also understanding that God’s way aren’t always ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). If you are in Christ, you are already great because he has made you that way! What I am talking about is spotting young leaders and developing them and their gifts. I agree with Aubrey Malphurs and Will Manchini that one of the church’s glaring weaknesses in today’s world is leadership development. As they argue in Building Leaders, the church has many potential leaders, but the church is not developing “the next generation of Christ-like leadership.”
So next generation parents and leaders—who are you developing? Pastors and church staff—who are you developing? Who and where are the next great preachers, evangelists, missionaries, worship leaders, artists, etc.? Are you not only developing these next great Christian leaders, but sharing your platform with them? Are you letting go or holding on? I know it’s a delicate balance, and that our young stars are going to slip and slide along the way. But at some point, we have to let go of the reigns and step aside. We don’t have to worry about when that time might be. God is in control. But we do need to do everything we can to develop our ministry leaders of tomorrow today!