Today in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other nations around the globe, 40% of the adult population is now or soon will be 50+ in age. Much has been said and written about the first half of life. But now 10,000 leading-edge boomers are reaching retirement age every day. Yet the church is often guilty of turning its back on this aging portion of society, viewing it not as blessing, but as burden. So accept my invitation to join me in “a further journey” as pastor or follower in the church and community.
What say you? Are we not compelled both by Scripture and by the necessary customs and conventions of the day to work with, not around this aging population? Is God calling us to inspire, equip and enable those who are active adults at midlife or beyond to deepen our relationship with Jesus, to strengthen and exercise our faith, to seek God for personal direction, to connect with peer groups and younger generations or specific ministries and to answer the call to influence and disciple the generations in our families, our church, our cities and the nations for Christ? What do you say?
Prayer for Later Years
Recently, I came across this meaningful prayer in my readings, so beautifully written by Sr Moya Hanlen, a respected canon lawyer and former chancellor of the Diocese of Wollongong, in New South Wales, Australia. I am not personally acquainted with the author, but on a recent Sunday morning, as I read this prayer to those [...]