Old Churches such as Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, have existed for a long time. Some Churches, like New Creation, City Harvest, are relatively 'young'.
When an organisation is young, there are few rules and regulations.
As an organisation gets older, 50 years, 100 years, 500 years, an organisational culture develops. The volume of rules, regulations, codes of conduct grows so huge that the organisation may even need an 'Archival Department'!.
Many independent churches were started by zealous and charismatic leaders. But when the first generation leaders passed away, these churches weaken and finally cease to exist.
The first generation lasts about 70 years. The next generation overlaps the previous generation by 30 years and lives another 40 years. The next next generation last another 40 years. Hence 3 generations would mean a total of 70+40+40 = 150 years.
Memories last only 3 generations. We can remember our grandparents in some detail. But we cannot remember our great-grandparents in detail.
Hence, the critical year is about 150. If a church or a religious organisation could survive 150 years, it is likely to live on. An organisation which is less than 150 years old has a high probability of dying out.
So you can expect many Christian organisations, though successful they may be at present, to cease before they reach their critical years equivalent to 3 generations. New religious organisations will always sprang up to take their place.
Are you with an organisation that is less than 3 generations old? Are the first two generations putting in place a robust succession plan?
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