Toward a New Image of Older Adult Ministry

Each of us has a viewpoint about growing old. We’re handed images that we’ve processed internally about later life. We’ve received signals that suggest we’re past our prime, out of touch, ‘so yesterday,’ that even the most upbeat among us can become discouraged, ready to pack it in. Many of these are ‘baggage’ impressions, actually formed during our earlier years, based on our parents, grandparents, or ‘Uncle Joe’ who never was quite ‘all there.’

If the images of older people in our lives are negative or we’ve been made anxious observing colleagues who have been ‘crowded out’ in their later ministry years, is it small wonder that we might feel this way? Even though we put on a good front and perhaps say nothing to anyone but our spouse, it still hurts deeply to feel as though we have something yet to give, something valuable and important, but we’re no longer invited to give it.

I have pastor and business leader friends who, this past year, in confidence, have expressed deep feelings of depression and loss at this season in their lives. When I tell them I’ve “been there, done this” myself and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel that is not a train, hope rises, and an important and much needed bond is forged between us.

When I resigned at my twenty-third year as senior pastor of a church in which I had experienced both great challenge and much love, I left emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually exhausted. I had given the best of what I had to offer. I was sure that I was done. There was nothing left inside me. At least that is what I thought at the time. What I discovered, to my delight, was that God is not finished with me yet. Instead, he and I had work to do together of which I was unaware. He waited patiently, until I was able to go there.

If you’ve read this far, whether pastor or missionary, business or professional leader, perhaps you’ve experienced some of this in your life. In recently reading Jeremiah, I’ve been attracted once more to the passage in 1:5, “Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah had to revisit those words in later life, a reminder that he was still a vital member of God’s team. It’s a good thing to do. Wherever you are on your life journey, friend, God is not finished with you yet either. You are still chosen. Still set apart. Still appointed.

Your work may change. You may need to adjust your sights. But older, wiser servant leaders like you have the opportunity to strike a positive new image for aging in the Church. If you think working among men and women in life’s second half has reduced you to the second team, get over yourself. You are on the best team of all. You’ve been ‘appointed,’ (lit., given) by God to your family, your church, your city, your world. So check in with our Coach. Find out what position he intends for you to play in this season. Then give it all the heart and talent, skills and wisdom you have. Join the growing number of men and women who are changing the image of older adult ministry. God chose you to finish well!