Depending on where I shop or dine these days, I may or may not be a senior adult. Some places don't ask, they just look at the white hair and think,
"man he's old. He has to be a senior adult." Yet, there are places that you have to be 65 and produce an id to qualify. That's discrimination isn't it?
Oh, well, I appreciate all the discounts I can get but there is one discount I don't want. I don't want to be discounted as an old sour "stuck in the mud" by the youth at church. I want to make a difference. I want to be "relevant." I want to be admired and respected by those younger than myself like some of my heroes of days gone by.
I don't want to be one that complains about "their" music or clothes, or hair or "worship style." I want to be their biggest cheerleader. I want to be an encourager. I want them to want to be like me when they grow up. I think you know what I mean?
Bob Roberts in his book, Multiplying Church writes,
"Old men and women play a crucial role in the future church; it isn’t to hold on to the forms, but to hold on to a personal Jesus movement in their hearts so that young people can say of old people, “Oh man, I want to know Jesus like they know Jesus.” It is not, “I want to do church like they do church.” The only way that will work is for old folks to pour themselves into young hearts and mentor and love them so much that they would die for them." In my roll as a church specialist I visit a great number of churches of all sizes. At 56 I visit some churches where I am among the youngest. I don't think I need to point out that there is not much future unless they change. Problem is they don't see it.
I can spot those when I walk in and as I preach who are turf protectors rather than tillers of new soil Those who thirst for living water are a blessing, while the stagnant waters of the dead sea can kill a movement of God in a heartbeat.
If I start to sour someone please throw some sugar my way.
It was my privilege to be with and share with the wonderful people of First Baptist Church,Plant City, Florida. Pastor Michael Lewis,a native Georgian, was a gracious host. I had the joy of serving with him for a short time on the SBC Executive Committee. He has served FBC for just three short months, coming from Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. In those brief months they have seen over 100 people come to Christ. Recently they had their first F.A.I.T.H. outreach visitation and saw over 200 people go on visits and 6 people come to Christ the first night.
