Author and social scientist Adam Grant says that "it's more important to be good ancestors than dutiful descendants. Too many people spend their lives being custodians of the past instead of stewards of the future. We worry about making our parents proud when we should be focused on making our children proud."
There is safety and comfort in holding on to the familiar, and change for the sake of change is not at all helpful. But, as Jesus observed, if we want to receive new wine, it may be that the old wine-skins need to be replaced (Luke 5:37-38).
As we prepare for Pentecost next week - and prepare to welcome the new thing that God's Spirit longs to do in our midst - what will it mean for you and me and our church to be good ancestors?