Survey after survey has begun to stir up fear in the hearts of churches across the United States. The amount of \u201cgray hair\u201d that can be found in our pews has become a source of worry for many. As the average age of members increases across denominations, \u201csenior\u201d becomes a byword. Leadership teams, pastors, and church councils begin to ask with increasing fervor: \u201cHow do we get more young people in our doors?\u201d I think we are asking the wrong question. Please don\u2019t misunderstand. The youth in our church are incredibly important, and it is imperative to share the Gospel with them. However, what if we saw this increasing \u201cage\u201d in our congregations as an opportunity for discipleship instead of as a negative factor?<\/p>\n
There is an interesting passage of Scripture that speaks to this found in 2 Samuel 19:31-40:<\/p>\n
Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim; he went on with the king to the Jordan, to escort him over the Jordan. Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. He had provided the king with food while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. The king said to Barzillai, \u201cCome over with me, and I will provide for you in Jerusalem at my side.\u201d But Barzillai said to the king, \u201cHow many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? Today I am eighty years old; can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or what he drinks? Can I still listen to the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? Your servant will go a little way over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king recompense me with such a reward? Please let your servant return, so that I may die in my own town, near the graves of my father and my mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do for him whatever seems good to you.\u201d The king answered, \u201cChimham shall go over with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you; and all that you desire of me I will do for you.\u201d Then all the people crossed over the Jordan, and the king crossed over; the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own home.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
There is no retirement plan in the Body of Christ.\u00a0 Following Jesus as one of his disciples doesn\u2019t have a minimum or maximum age requirement.\u00a0 Please join us October 17 and 18 at Reformation Lutheran Church in Culpeper, Virginia as we host the NALC\u2019s first Senior Ministry Conference including breakout time, small groups, workshops, and key note presentations by Gary Pecuch, Pastor Wendy Berthelsen, and myself.<\/p>\n