There are always problems when we focus on one particular teaching in Scripture to the neglect of others. We must make sure that we hold truths together as best we can.

There are some significant dangers in too much of a focus on my limitations and uniqueness in ministry. These are limitations that may well become evident in the ministries of Geny Y pastors, just as, I am sure, the strengths mentioned in my previous post, will also become evident:

Focus on self-understanding can spill over into vanity. I no longer seek to understand myself in order to serve others and worship God. Instead I begin to demand that others understand me also, and resent those who I feel don't 'get me'.

Focus on playing to my strenghs and owning up to my finitude can also lead to a failure of duty. There are some duties in life and ministry, certain things that just need doing. These things need doing whether I enjoy it, am good at it, or whatever. Is changing nappies really my forte? At 3am, my wife honestly doesn't care :-)

The loss of a strong commitment to self-sacrifice and self-denial can result. If we so grasp our God-given finitude and so rejoice in the goodness of God's created order, that we can no longer boldly preach or faithfully obey the command to 'deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me', the wheels have come off somewhere, haven't they?

The danger of being reactionary is also very real. We must not reject something just because that sounds like something the 'old guard' would say, something 'my MTS trainer used to say' or whatever. If it's true and good, it's true and good, regardless of who said it, who took it too far and regardless of whether or not I am enthused by it at them moment.