Through all my adult life I’ve been blessed by a number of godly, senior adults. Most were respected leaders in the churches I’d served. Many were members who appreciated the ministry Karen and I shared with them. All were dear friends whose prayers and encouragement the Lord used to fuel our service to His glory.
While I have always appreciated our elder saints, as I get closer myself to wearing the title “senior adult”, I have learned a few things.
Some older Christians have concerns the world has passed them by and they no longer have a role to play in the community or their church. Others believe they have done their part, and now is their time to reap the benefits as they enjoy their “golden years.” Still others feel tired and, though they see multiple needs around them, believe they have little energy to give.
Some time ago, these were young adults, most raising families. Churches would order entire ministries providing an environment through which they and their children would receive the gospel and grow in their faith. Today, as many churches strive to reach younger generations they have either lost or missed, some of our elders are unsure where they fit. Others worship with churches almost exclusively comprised of their peers, with few younger Christians to carry ministry forward. They wonder how many days their church has remaining.
Now, I can’t answer this last question. I can say that, through the GTBN, we are developing a framework for bringing the strength of our stronger congregations to help. And I can tell you that any idea that our senior adults are not needed is balderdash (youngsters, look it up).
Senior adults, we, as in your church and our family of churches, need you! We need your wisdom. We need your prayers. We need your availability. Many of you have more flexible schedules than those still in the workforce. We need your stability, and your mentoring, especially for persons new to the faith. And yes, we need your willingness to yield some personal preferences when those changes might help us reach people we’re not reaching. And we need your support, when others struggle with these changes.
And we need you as examples of a missionary spirit. I read in scripture this morning Psalm 71:18, where an elder psalmist wrote, “So even to old age and grey hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.” While he prays for many things, our writer’s concern is to declare the mighty glory of the Lord to the next generation. May this be true of all of us.
So, senior adults, do not for a moment think your time has passed. We need you more than ever. And younger folks, let’s appreciate our elders and bring them with us as we share Christ with this generation.
Bro. Jim