Torch, Fall 1986

1 l j J I I~ ' THE CHALLENGE Growing older is part of God ' s master plan for life . However , senior adults view their later years in differ– ent ways. Some see life as a series of plateaus . Retirement is just another stepping stone with its associated challenges, opportunities , and learn– ing experiences. Others view the ma– ture years as a time to take it easy . These individuals reason that they worked hard, sacrificed for their chil– dren, and served the church faithfully in their earlier years . Their reward is to be free of responsibility, do as they please , and let others provide for them . Some experience an identity crisis and are ashamed to be older. Rather than be grateful for their accumulated years of wisdom, experience , and skills, they attempt to hide their age and avoid senior adult activities that expose it. Physical health and lack of mobility also have considerable in– fluence on their thinking. Add a diversity of social , environ– mental, occupational , and spiritual backgrounds , and senior adults rep– resent a challenging cross-section of our Christian community . If ignored , their resources remain untapped and their needs unmet. However, a church willing to meet the challenges of this age group will reap many ben– efits . HONOR AND RESPECT How does a church harness the re– sources of its senior adults? One of the first lessons we all learned in Sunday school as young– sters was to honor and respect our fathers and mothers (Exodus 20:12) . There is an emphasis on admiration and honor toward the older person throughout the Bible . The early church took action be– cause it recognized its responsibili– ties to senior adults. The book of Acts tells us that deacons were selected be– cause of the need to help widows in the church who were being neglected in the daily ministrations (Acts 6: 1-4). James admonished the early Chris– tians to " ... visit the fatherless and Because fulfilling the Great Commission and edifying the saints are primary functions ofany church, people of all ages should play a part in them. widows in their afflictions" (James 1:27) . "Honor widows that are widows in– deed" was the advice of Paul to young Timothy (I Timothy 5:3) . USEFUL ROLES Because fulfilling the Great Com– mission and edifying the saints are primary functions of any church , people of all ages should play a part in them. Senior adults are especially challenged that "Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age ... " (Psalm 92:13,14a) . The church should recognize the maturity, abilities , and talents avail– able in the senior members and capitalize on them. The attitude of the church towards senior adults may be summarized in two thoughts . There is a responsibil– ity to understand their needs and minister to them accordingly . How– ever, the church also should assess the God-given gifts available through this age group and use these re– sources to accomplish the work of the church. The two usually go hand-in– hand . An individual actively in– volved in serving the Lord generally has his needs fulfilled. Depending on the organizational structure of the church , the senior adult may fulfill his or her service for Christ alongside volunteers of all ages or primarily with other senior adults. There are several ways to develop a file of the skills and talents of the congregation. Information on the oc– cupation , hobbies, and interests of the parishioners can be recorded fol– lowing a home visit. Another ap– proach is to have the congregation complete a survey form during Sun– day school or church. A committee with personal knowledge of most members might spend an afternoon reviewing the church rolls and listing potential resources . Whether for– mally educated or trained by the school of hard knocks , all senior adults have some useable gifts. Some senior adults assist their pas– tors in visitation , soul-winning , counseling , and overseeing projects. They help with church services or serve as ushers , parking lot atten– dants , greeters , and leaders of var– ious committees. Others are Sunday school teachers , bus drivers, musi– cians , prayer warriors , and corre– spondents with missionaries . Over– seeing food pantries , missionary cup– boards , and distribution of clothing to the needy as well as caring for church property and custodial duties are ways senior adults serve. Many churches have day schools . The classroom provides oppor– tunities for senior adults to share their accumulated wisdom and experi– ence. Some classes have adopted senior adults as their classroom continued on page 10 7