What do I wish for in 2018? I wish

 

It Felt Like John 17:21

 

Early in my ministry, there was a man who profoundly affected the way I look at the church.

I never met him.

I heard him speak in person only once.

But as a young preacher, trying to build a congregation out of dissimilar Christ followers and people new to faith and forgiveness, his humble, controversial, avant-garde, and ahead of the times ideas attracted me to him.

Born in Baltimore in 1884, E. Stanley Jones became a noted Methodist missionary-statesman to India, a confidant of President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the WWII years, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and saw his work become interdenominational and worldwide in scope. He died in India in 1973 at the age of 89, remaining engaged in the work of Jesus until his journey’s end.

I thought of him again recently while consulting with Ministry Resources International (MRI), an international and intergenerational ministry dedicated to providing resources and encouragement to enhance the life quality, ministry effectiveness, and longevity of those in vocational ministry. I believe Dr. Jones would have enjoyed being there to hear their conversations and to engage in dialogue with this devoted staff.

Dr. Jones helped me see there can be “unity in the midst of diversity,” a principle that held my work together as a young pastor and remains in my heart today, namely that true Christians will hold together among men and women who may differ on various issues. When I really ‘saw’ this for the first time, it felt like John 17:21.

People can always to find ways to remain apart. But when asked, “Whom do you trust?” we can always find ways to come together around one name and one loyalty—Jesus Christ. When those moments come to me as a pastor, I know I am reliving John 17:21!

While teaching one day, my good friend, Peggy Fulghum, Boomer Builder Ministry Director at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta GA, was asked this question: “What about persons who belong to a church that approaches, for example, baptism differently than ours?” Peggy’s response was, “Jesus is my Lord and my Savior who bought my salvation. That puts me on a highway to heaven. Another denomination may also believe as I believe, but teach infant baptism whereas I believe in immersion. That believer is on the same highway but simply in another lane. I am not going to run him off the road. I am thrilled he or she is going to the same place I am!”

Another friend, Dr. Richard Gentzler, Jr., Director of ENCORE Ministries of the Golden Cross Foundation of the Tennessee UMC Conference, and former Director of the Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church, once shared these thoughts with me. He said,

“Aging and spiritual wellbeing transcend liberal verses conservative theologies. People age, experience transitions and milestones, and struggle to find meaning and purpose. If given a chance, they could make a tremendous difference in the lives and faith of future generations. But they need to be encouraged, equipped, and empowered to be the ‘wise ones’ and the Christian sages for our world today.

“Unfortunately, growing older in the Western Culture does not always avail itself to the positive aspects of aging. And, churches, heavily influenced by our culture, rarely help. Caught up in a ‘youth-only’ mindset, churches fail to recognize the wealth of wisdom and faith that often abound in older adults.

Dr. Gentzler went on to say, “Most congregations would not promote racism or sexism; yet, ageist attitudes exist in congregations. As Christians, we should all be ashamed. Scripture is clear about the benefits and respect due to our aging ones, but our present day thinking and actions are anything but biblical. I am grateful for congregations that seek to help people of all ages grow in Christian faith.”

It’s a fact. Older adults are important to the body of Christ. Yet local churches, as well as national endeavors in many denominations, have been replacing ministry to and from older adults entering the second half of life, along with those who are into the final turn on their life journey.

It is critical to the wellbeing of each local church and the Kingdom of Christ on earth as a whole to encourage, equip and empower Christ followers in life’s second half to become spiritual sages for the church and our world today.

It is never easy, but things of lasting value seldom are. Like John 17:21.

Happy New Year!

 

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” ~John 17:20,21.