Lets talk pastor to pastor. If you’re not a pastor or in some form of ministry calling, feel free to continue reading, but my Perspective this week is not to you. It’s about you. A glance only, not the full meal deal, at who you are and what makes us important to one another.

In 2025

Generation Alpha (birth years 2010-2024) is estimated to be the largest generation globally, comprising 24.4% of the world’s population. They are the largest adult U.S. generation, having surpassed the Baby Boomers.

Gen Z (birth years 1997-2012) are the second-largest generation in the U.S., closely following Millennials. And if you hold a new 2025 baby in your hands at church this Sunday, sociologists have dubbed your child as Gen Beta.

But wait—

There are two more generations I almost forgot about (not really, I am one of them). These are the “Third-Agers” (age 60+).

In 2025, the total number of baby boomers living (1946-1964) in the U.S., is estimated at 73 million, and they are between 61 and 79 years old. 2025 is known as “Peak 65,” with around 11,400 Americans turning 65 every day this year. Approximately 15.1 million members of the Silent Generation (1928-1945) and less than 100,000 members of the Greatest Generation(1922-1928) are the balance of “Third Agers” living in the United States (Ests. by Pew Research Center).

These are the generations inside your church. Look around next Sunday. They range from the children with hands up, to the impatient with hands out, to the resigned with hands down, and everyone in between.

Every generation
represents important people with needs and struggles, hopes and dreams. “Third-Agers” are no exception. “Third Agers” are a key to your church’s ministry success. We are a slippery bunch, with lots fresh things to do and places to go when we retire, but if you catch us in time and hear us out before couch comfort settles in, we may be your church’s new best friend.

“Third Agers” have been dreaming
about climbing retirement hill it seems like forever. But when we reach the top, and try it out for awhile, we hear ourselves say, it’s not what I thought it was going to be like. At least not at first. So we start looking around for more—and we find out how easy “more” is to be found. Soon we are “busier than we’ve ever been.”

We “Third Agers” have lived long enough to know how little we know. We are less techy than our youngers and need their expertise. But what we have seen and heard and touched (1 John 1:1-4) and how we’ve done it all so far, can be a treasure worth sharing with younger generations.

A generation or two ago     
that’s the way it was done. Our father and mother taught the values and skill sets they had learned from their parents to us kids. Today we call this ‘mentoring,’ but there’s far too little of it going on. And the trick is, both generations must buy into the mentoring process for it to work. Isn’t this what our job is as pastors? Helping mothers and fathers connect meaningfully with their children. Sharing their ideas, family values, spiritual guidance.

We have boomer grandmothers flying airplanes and grandfathers launching new business enterprises while others return to the classroom or travel the world over. We are retired and  restless. With all this comes an openness to peers and those coming after us younger in years. We want to sensitively and authentically live and share the love and life of Jesus Christ. We are the “Third Agers” of your church.

Some of our elders, like veterans home from battle, are in need of thoughtful and loving attention, physically, emotionally and spiritually. They need the care of peers and youngers. There is no question. While others of us need to be stirred up. Revived again. I’m not sure the church, or even we ourselves, really understand or value “Third Agers,” and what we can mean, not just to the local church, but to the kingdom of God as a whole. We need reassurance and redirection. Confidence that we are doing the right thing in the right way. We’ve never been here before. We ourselves are still experimenting with life’s sacred journey. We are still learning. Pastor, it’s your job to teach us and lead us. So, here’s a suggestion.

Spend more time in the church kitchen   
early and often. Study the Good ol’ Recipe Book. Do some thinking and praying. Pour into your church bowl a fresh mix of marriages and families, a cup or two of single parents with kids, stir in the cultural issues and fears kids and young people grapple with every day, add one or two other ingredients that will make this seem like your own recipe (though it really belonged to your mother).

Then add some “Third Agers” seasonings to provide that special taste of having experienced much of what the world is like out there. Mix it all up. Serve it hot. It will be a fulfilling meal for every generation. A genuinely satisfying meal for everyone that can be served week after week. And when your time around this unique “Lord’s Table,” is over and someone asks, “Can I help clean up this ‘after meal mess?’” Don’t hesitate. Say, “Yes, I can use your help.” You may have just uncovered a friend and partner (maybe even a “new elder”?) who wants to help you do the work of the body of Christ.

Part of which is cleaning up the mess we are in.

May Jesus keep us close.

 

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John 12:26 ESV “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

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“In this quiet, holy moment, I know deep within: He sees me.

And He sees you, too.” —from Light a Candle

“Looking forward to the read, and hopefully sharing it with others!”

—David K, Florida

Light a Candle: A Devotional Journey Through Advent is available now on amazon.com for you, your friends and family. —$6.99 paperback / $0.00 FREE Kindle Unlimited

Special Christmas prices for 25, 50, 100 book packages are being made available by the author to individuals, churches and small groups at special

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Other books by Ward Tanneberg – the Cain Family Thriller series

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September Strike: A Cain Family Thriller

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