Growing Old In Church

 One big question that we all will face one day is how to serve the Lord as we get old. This is a topic for which there is very little usable information available. One common thread is that the elderly are a resource of wisdom that could help the younger generation. Except that first, young people do not care what we think, and second, we tend to tell young people what we did when we were young.

One pastor used Moses and Abraham as examples of old people to follow. Moses was 120 years old when he died. Abraham was 175 years old when he died. To these men, 80 is middle aged. What they did at 80 is not the same as what we can do at 80.

One thing that one pastor said involves prayer. We can pray for others no matter our age. Another thing is just being kind to people. A smile, a kind word of encouragement.

Another pastor suggested that the old folks might make good greeters at the front door at church. Especially when our pastors do not stand at the door to greet people as they come in. That might work.

We have age appropriate Bible study for teens and young adults. In our elderly Bible study we talk about things that none of us can still do. Maybe we need an age appropriate group for us.

We live in such a youth oriented society and a youth oriented Fellowship that growing old you feel unwanted and useless.  I am grateful that the Lord does not cast us off as we get older.