When Elders Weep and Youth Shout

In first-generation churches, young people lead the charge—
zealous, full of joy, grateful to be free from old wineskins.

But in long-established churches, a different scene often unfolds.
You’ll find elders sitting quietly… and sometimes, deeply sad.

Why?

Because they remember glory.

• Tongues that interceded

• Prophetic words that read your mail

• People overcome by the Spirit

• Healings

• Charismatic renewal

• The Jesus People Movement

• The Vineyard

• Toronto Blessing

• Brownsville… and more

They remember when God’s presence would undo a room.

Today, the music may be louder, the tech more refined—
But something inside whispers: It’s not the same.

This Has Happened Before

“And all the people shouted with a great shout of joy…
Yet many of the old men who had seen the first temple wept…
so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping.”
—Ezra 3:11–13

One moment.
Two generations.
Two very different responses.

And Scripture tells us—
God blessed all of it.
The tears.
The shouting.
The emotion rising like incense.

But Then… a Plot Twist

Soon after, local Samaritans—
mixed-race people who also worshiped Yahweh—
offered to help rebuild the temple.

The elders said, “No.”

Maybe it was fear.
Maybe zeal for purity.
But that decision led to decades of resistance and delay (Ezra 4:1–24).

They wept for glory—but missed what God was doing now.
They protected the past—and choked the future.

Sound familiar?

10 Responses to Sadness – A Redemptive Progression

How do we respond to loss, disappointment, or spiritual dryness?

Here are 10 responses to deep sadness—moving from reaction to restoration:

1. Blame – “It’s the leaders’ fault.” “This church has changed.”

2. Anger – When grief wears the mask of rage, disgust, or contempt.

3. Withdrawal – Hearts disengage before bodies do.

4. Numbing – Busyness, entertainment, or overindulgence to quiet the ache.

5. Grumbling & Gossip – Rehearsing pain in echo chambers.

6. Spiritualizing (without feeling) – Quoting Scripture to sidestep sorrow.

7. Giving Up – “Revival is over. There’s nothing more.”

8. Seeking Wise Counsel – Inviting Spirit-filled voices to walk with you.

9. Taking Ownership – Honest self-reflection and openness to change.

10. Repentance & Response – Turning sorrow into surrender:
      “Lord, I don’t want to miss what You’re doing now!”

A Way Forward – Together

I’ve seen churches rise, fracture, renew, and thrive.

Here in the Amazon, we’ve lasted long enough to watch third- and fourth-generation pastors rise—hungry for God, eager to serve.

So I’m asking:

How do we help the young stay on fire—without settling for less?

Three Practices for Generational Health

🔥 Older leaders can recount what God has done—and cheer others on.
🔥 Younger leaders can burn brightly—and stay curious about history’s lessons.
🔥 Everyone can walk in humility—choosing honour over control, servanthood over spotlight.

Because biblical righteousness is about right relationships:

• With God

• With one another

• Across generations

Jesus Showed Us the Way

He didn’t grab for power.
He gave it away.
He stayed with His people—through thick and thin.
He led by surrender.

And in that obedience,
God raised Him up.

Let’s Lead Like Jesus

Let’s be builders again.
Let’s bless the fire in young hearts—and let it warm us, too.
Let’s not just remember revival.
Let’s help the next generation participate in their visitation.

This Is True

• There’s a joy that overflows—available now.

• There’s peace that surpasses understanding—even in the wilderness.

• There’s a river of living water—ready to flow when we tap the Source.

God is on the move. Let’s move with Him.

Let’s help the next generation participate in their visitation.

Deanna’s Journey to Healing

I feel God’s help so deep as I continue to get good news and feel the prayers  of so many surrounding me !

We have more good news this week.
Another ultrasound was requested—for clarity about progress.

The affected areas are all improving.

“God is a safe place to hide,
Ready to help when we need him…
…Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us”
(‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭MSG).

Email: rick.bergen@xtrememercy.com

Prayer Points

• 🙏 For joy and courage in Amazonian leaders across generations

• 🙏 For spiritual mothers and fathers everywhere to walk in grace, courage, and humility

• 🙏 For bridges of unity across cultures and generations

•  

  If this message resonates, would you forward it to a pastor, mentor, or friend navigating generational tension?

“May you be surprised by God’s abundance this week!” 

A New Kind of Ordinary Day

To Support our Ministry