Senior Citizens in Church
Senior Citizens in Church
Today let’s look more closely at a segment of the Church body (Ekklesia) that is sometimes neglected or overlooked: our senior citizens. Consider that in our nation the population of those 65 and older number 54.1 million, or about one in every seven Americans. (1)
Many senior citizens have a wealth of talent, skill, and wisdom–both practical and spiritual. We read in Job, “Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding, strength, and counsel.” (Job 12:12)
Couldn’t the younger generation use spiritual fathers and mothers with gray hairs to help them realize and accomplish their destiny? Even help them avoid some of the mistakes they themselves made along the way—in family, workplace, and social relationships. Maybe digging deep into their wells of experience, sharing out of their trials and tribulations as well as triumphs.
Some in their 60s, 70s and a few in their 80s say they want to be used as prayer warriors or as mentors within their church. Many learned to pray in the foxholes of life and can testify to God’s faithfulness in answering prayer. Some have had successful careers, or raised happy families, or been active in community life. Many want to invest into those who are already walking with Christ but are younger and less experienced.
Peter wrote the early church, “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders” (I Peter 5:5). He also said, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (I Peter 4:10-11a NIV).
“The church is not complete unless the generations connect and are working together,” a friend told me recently.
Churches could consider setting up “Seniors Helping Juniors” groups, providing older folk the opportunity to mentor the younger. Dictionaries describe a “mentor” as an advisor or coach for someone less experienced— providing expertise, guidance, advice and knowledge from a more experienced perspective. Mentors usually use their understanding of the mentoree’s need and endeavor to help him/her improve.
When I was a young mom those in our church who wanted an “older” member to pray for us, could receive a personal intercessor. Older prayer warriors and teachers also taught Bible studies at the church and in homes at times when those who worked could attend. Older volunteers also taught younger members practical skills– from how to work on cars to how to decorate a home on a shoe-string budget. My elderly “pray-er intercessor” kept up with me through encouraging conversations and prayer via phone for some time.
Paul, while in prison, wrote the Philippians: “The things which you have learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do.” (Phil. 4:9 NKJV).
The Bible is replete with examples of teaching/mentoring. Some examples: Elisha learned from Elijah. Mary, while expecting baby Jesus, stayed with her relative Elizabeth for three months. Paul took young Timothy under his care as a son, and wrote him: “But as for you, continue in what you learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.” (2 Timothy 3:14 NIV). He even wrote Titus that the older women were to train the younger women “to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind…” (Titus 2:2-4).
A pastor I heard on television called for those 35 years and younger in his congregation to come forward to be prayed for–because they are going to be the generation to go after the harvest of souls. I applauded this altar call. However, I wondered who was going to prepare them for their task of evangelism when they go witness for Jesus at their schools, jobs or marketplace. Or become their intercessors while they are out winning others to Christ. Or even help teach/mentor those who will be swept into the Kingdom in the upcoming Great Spiritual Awakening.
“Each generation fits into the overall purpose of the Church Body to honor and value one another. All are needed,” a friend said.
Yes, all segments of the Body of Christ will be needed in the soon expected Spiritual Awakening or immense harvest of souls. We need the Holy Spirit to embolden the Church Body with courage, boldness and wisdom not only to win the lost but to train and nurture new believers (or returning backsliders) as they mature in their Christian faith! It will take all ages.
I thank God for each church that is already drawing on the experience of their seniors. But if yours is not, pray how that might change. Let’s even consider going after those seniors who were once active churchgoers but are now church dropouts. Seniors are living longer, and we could all benefit from their experiences and prayers!
The Psalmist prayed: “Yes, even when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not, [but keep me alive] until I have declared Your mighty strength to [this] generation, and Your might and power to all that are to come.” (Psalm 71:18 AMPC).
Prayer
Lord, show us how to use the talent and skills of older men and women within the Church. Open the door to opportunities for the generations to connect whether it is to gain practical or spiritual knowledge. We refuse the enemy’s interference in Your chosen plan for their meeting and mutually gleaning from one another. Thank you, Lord, for the ways You will cause this to happen. May we be vigilant to share more about Your love and Your desire to equip us to do Your will. I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Footnotes:
See my book, Cast Your Shadow: Influence on Purpose. Available, Amazon.
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