By Bob Chism

Pastor Rick Warren, says in The Purpose Driven Life, “It all starts with God,” as expressed in Ephesians 1:11, “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ…He had His eyes on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.” (The Message)

Longevity response-ability is a time of fulfillment and completion. It is a time of great caring, giving back, contributing for a better society; and a time of integration, polishing off, coming to terms with life, accepting eternity. It is a time of life definition, performing to one’s best, and writing one’s legacy for good.

Thanks to longevity, the average person will enjoy a thirty year bonus of life on earth. Researchers tell us that with healthy habits we can expect to live productive lives to 85plus. What this means is a new second-half life stage (65-84) unlike the past. This is the new United States missionary field of the 21st Century.

According to Dr. Stephen Sapp, chair of religious studies at the University of Miami in Coral Cables, Florida, and former chair of the governing council for the Forum on Religion, Spirituality and Aging: “People in the United States don’t like old people, and church folks are not particularly different. Despite decades of awareness of ageism and strong emphasis on battling all other ‘isms,’ old people (with the exception of lawyers and politicians) remain the only identifiable group that is perfectly acceptable to disparage, ridicule and demean in ‘polite company.’”

Missy Buchanan is an author, columnist, and speaker on issues of aging and faith. The following excerpt from her website testifies to the need for education for church leaders and training for second-halfers:

A thirty-six year-old minister explained that nothing in seminary had really prepared him for dealing with the real-life challenges of an aging population. With half of his congregation fifty-five or older, he was mainly interested in reaching young people. Besides he felt clueless about how to engage older adults. He found it difficult to relate to boomers who seemed to be caught up in their own world, and he dreaded ministry to seniors who were struggling with chronic health issues, loss of mobility and a lack of purpose….

I can’t help but wonder if our ministers wouldn’t be more effective in ministry and leadership if they had a better understanding of aging and late-life transitions, especially in a culture that values youth over age. Could our seminaries provide them practical insight into the unique needs of each older adult sub-group—from boomers to frail—so that they could better empower all older adults to lean forward in life and utilize their skills and experiences to serve others?

The Boomer generation, the “new old,” expect to live longer, they are seeking to live healthier, they have more resources at their disposal, and they are wired to think differently, according to Chris Holck, Encore Generation President and Planter/Pastor of Live Oaks Community Church.

Based upon a combination of longevity, old age negativity, lack of proper education on aging for church leaders and training for second-halfers, and the unique attributes of the Boomer (Zoomer) generation, society and the church has not a clue as to how to tap into this new second-half “life stage” (65-84) or serve the mass 85plus life stage.

In the last three years, there have been second half ministry heroes that have shown light on longevity response-ability:

Heartbeat! (2011), Charles Arn
Follow Your Calling (2012), John Bradley and Nelson Malwitz
Joy Boosters (2012), Missy Buchanan
Basic Ministry for the Second Half of Life (2012), Robert W. Chism
The Launch (2011), EFCA Encore
Aging Successfully (2012), David P. Gallagher
Baby Boomers and Beyond (2010), Amy Hanson
Finishing Life Strong (2011), John Heide
How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half (2012), Donald W.Sweeting and George Sweeting
Pilgrimage into the Last Third of Life (2012), Jane Thibault and Richard Morgan

Longevity Response-Ability readings (legacy letters, stories, and plans) will provide further direction and education, and will be available in July, 2013 or before from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Inspiring Voices.

Nothing just happens, it is made to happen. Steve R. Covey wrote in The 8th Habit the following: “Any individual who has had a profound influence for good on others, on institutions or on society…possessed vision, discipline, passion and conscience.” One of the strategist’s secrets is that we become what we think about most, according to Earle Nightingale.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are!

  • Pray for the second half of life longevity response-ability crusade.
  • Volunteer think tank names and/or answers for discussion questions.
  • Become a member of the think tank for one year. Help answer and implement solutions for enhanced second-half ministry to bridge each generation.
  • Write a legacy letter, life reflection story, and/or plan for making a difference and send to New Beginnings, 1513 Eagle Ridge Drive, Antioch, Illinois 60002.
  • Invite a Second Half of Life Visionary member to speak at your theological institution, your corporate church body, your local congregation, retreat or small group, your convention, conference, or legislative body.
  • Claim your free Basic Ministry for the Second Half of Life e-copy from chism.w.robert@comcast.net.
  • Use Longevity Response-Ability, the above book as well as the books by other Second Half of Life Visionaries to do what you can where you are with what you have.

 

Bob Chism is founder of New Beginnings as well as a speaker and an author on the reality of a new “life stage,” on longevity response-ability and second half of life equality.