In about a month, my time as a member of the current steering committee will draw to a close. I wouldn’t exactly call it the end of an era; I’m feeling a bit nostalgic nonetheless. As I look back on the last several years, I must admit they’ve been good ones.

I was introduced to current back in 2003, when I joined a group of my fellow seminary students on an eleven on 11 mission site. The following year, I began making plans to attend my first current retreat. Asheville, a city near my hometown, was the venue, so I jumped in my car, drove the seven hours from Richmond to Asheville (stopping for some good North Carolina Barbeque along the way), and spent the next several days thoroughly enjoying myself. I bumped into old friends I hadn’t seen in years. I began forming new and valuable friendships. I made plenty of helpful contacts.

I was asked to join the steering committee the next year, after attending the current retreat in Decatur, Georgia. This would be a three-year commitment; the time went by faster than I imagined it would.

From my perspective, these have been wonderful years to be connected to CBF’s young leadership network. Channels of communication have widened. Leaders of the Fellowship movement have listened eagerly and actively to young people. Constructive relationships have formed, bridging the gap between generations. Current has found ways to clarify its mission, to work smarter rather than harder, and to broaden its reach.

Plus, I’ve seen my young friends and colleagues strongly represented in every dimension of Fellowship life. They’re serving in strong CBF churches. They’re working in national and state offices. They’re being commissioned as field personnel. They’re doing good work at our partner seminaries. They’re leading worship at General Assembly. They’re sitting on the Coordinating Council. They’re busy doing what Fellowship Baptists do – being Christ’s presence in the world.

In the few years I’ve spent immersing myself into CBF life, I’ve heard two statements over and over. The first comes from the older generation. It goes something like “We’ve got to do more to encourage and engage the younger generation.” The second comes from the younger generation. It goes something like “The older generation needs to listen to us and engage us better.”

At times, these sentiments are repeated until they become clichéd. It’s true, my generation tends to view outreach efforts by the older generation with a certain measure of cynicism.  Sometimes that cynicism is justified; sometimes, I think we just need to be able to say, “The older generation doesn’t get us.” I’m reminded of that classic gem of 1980’s hip-hop, that quintessential ode to youthful angst, Will Smith’s smash hit Parents Just Don’t Understand (if you know it, have fun trying to get it out of your head).

At the end of my time with the current steering committee, I am convinced of this: it is harder now than it has ever been for young Fellowship Baptists to say, “The older generation doesn’t get us.” The past analogy – that current is to CBF what the kids’ table is to your family’s Thanksgiving dinner – is making less and less sense to me.

I was thrilled – but not surprised – to learn that CBF’s yearlong discernment effort wrapped up with “invest in young Baptists” atop our list of priorities. That’s good news, and it makes me wonder…How will we fulfill this directive? How will CBF grow as a result? As young Baptists, how will we respond to the encouragement, resources, and opportunities we receive? Will we be faithful stewards? Will we wisely continue the mission began by another generation?

I, for one, am looking forward to being a part of the conversation. And I’m glad for current’s role in making it happen. That’s one big reason I’m looking forward to this year’s retreat. I’m looking forward to the prayerful listening, thinking, and planning that will happen in Orlando. I hope to see you there, and I hope the next few years will be even better than the last.