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Among the findings tied to Barna’s extensive research:
· “Older generations feel they have something to contribute to the world, but fewer feel valued.”
· A third of U.S. pastors “feel least equipped to minister to someone through late adulthood compared to other life stages.”
· “Seniors have needs that can easily be overlooked in the midst of active, growing congregations.”
Read MoreKen Postema, 71, is a retired book publisher. Five years ago, Ken had never packed an Operation Christmas Child shoebox and didn’t even know much about the outreach to children around the world to bring them the Good News of Jesus Christ. But a friend challenged Ken, who dabbled in woodworking over the years, to build 10,000 toy wooden cars to put in shoeboxes.
Read MoreAs we grow older, we tend to take fewer risks, often with good reason. We’re reasonably confident that you won’t read about us taking on a multi-nation motorcycle trek.
But God will call us to do something outside our comfort zones, and we too want to be ready to enlist in these God-ordained, young-enough-to-serve adventures.
Read MoreFrom the beginning God recognized that it was not good for man to be alone. He has wired us for fellowship and community.
Earlier this year the US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, released an 81-page report on our current epidemic of loneliness and isolation.
Read MoreDoris started packing shoeboxes in 1995 after her 13-year-old son died at Christmastime the year before. She was determined not to live in grief, but to do something good to help overcome it. She chose to begin shopping for and packing shoebox gifts so boys and girls across the globe could hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Read MoreSometimes when seeing a book title, our minds immediately race to others who would benefit from reading and absorbing its contents.
While writing, though, Mel concluded that “pride is everyone’s problem. No matter our personality type, our sin nature inclines us toward self-centeredness.”
Read MoreMany people already think of retirement as a multi-decade vacation. When you put that mindset smack dab in the middle of summer—universally prime vacation season—promoting serving opportunities can have a swimming-against-the-current feel.
But as you know, needs around us don’t take a vacation, so any time of year is right for a serving plunge.
Read MoreWhether you create an item for a shoebox or pack one, it can make an eternal difference in the life of a boy or girl. "One box is going to reach a child—that's a soul that is going to be touched by Jesus," Margarita said. "One child at a time, it's going to make a difference."
Read MoreTowering trees and older adults: Both have spun numerous years around the sun. What a mistake to treat them as obstructions!
They, too, are an incredible part of the view.
Read MoreWhile Stan & Julie have learned the art of downshifting, they clearly still have their foot on the gas pedal, eager to share about upcoming projects in Bolivia and Northern California.
We don’t all have construction skills or the physical agility to serve on a work crew like this, but we do have an array of gifts and talents that can still be activated for meaningful service.
Read MoreSallie is a retired nurse. When she stepped away from her career at age 65, she knew that retirement was the beginning of a very different season of her life as a Christian. She immediately jumped into ministry at her church in Miami and committed to packing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts. Why? "Because those boxes go to the ends of the earth to tell others about Jesus," she said. "I want everybody to know about Jesus. That's why I pack boxes."
Read MoreIn life’s later stages we need to value our embers/gifts and pair them with a fresh Holy Spirit wind that fans our gifts into flames.
Embers don’t remain embers forever. They can grow cold and die out, or they can be fanned into flame.
Life’s second half is not an ember-only life stage. We may experience challenges that suggest our raging-fire days are over. But with open hearts, get ready for those embers to once again burst into flame. God may use our prayers, His Word, serving opportunities, relationships---even our trials---to fan our embers.
Read MoreAmerica and the world have been hit by many storms in recent years, certainly not all weather-related, and we need God’s supernatural intervention.
May all of us be open to God’s fresh touch as we too humble ourselves before Him. Sons and daughters are seeing visions, and older generations are dreaming dreams.
Read MoreThere’s something special when other parts take notice, show concern and give honor.
Younger people are old enough to lead us. And we who are older are still young enough to serve.
Partnering with younger generations to fulfill our mission is life-breathing.
Read MoreHouses/buildings have many parallel systems and fewer interdependent systems. The electricity and plumbing operate independently. The brick masons, painters, and carpet layers may have little interaction, and that's okay. You might say they ‘tolerate’ each other.
Let’s all remind ourselves how much we need each other as the body (not the building) of Christ.
Read MoreWe’re often blessed to see very favorable side effects when we follow our prescribed-by-God calling.
We never know the far-reaching impact of our efforts when God leads us. Some of the effect falls right in line with our mission statement. And other wonderful ‘side effects’ thankfully occur, expressions of God at work, far beyond our finite goals.
Read More“For God so loved THE WORLD.” We like the bigness of that picture. He loves the poor, the elderly, the unborn, ethnic minorities and majorities, the young, the rich and middle class.
And while our passions may draw us to a specific cause or people group, it’s ALL about the ALL, y’all!
Read MoreWhile we’re not throwing many surprise parties, we do like surprising people…challenging hidden assumptions and helping them see things in a new light.
Even though it strikes at the core of our mission, older adults still surprise us with the remarkable difference they’re making in the lives of others. God also surprises us and YES! with unexpected momentum in a season when many expect us to slow down or stop.
Read MoreArt Gaeta, has flunked retirement several times. At age 77 he just signed another year-long public high school contract, teaching Spanish in Gilbert, Arizona.
Real lives are being impacted because Art chooses to listen to God’s voice, which is what led him back into the classroom. Vocational retirement is a good choice for many, but it doesn’t have to be the only choice or a permanent choice.
Read MoreWhen we started YES! over fourteen years ago, we were anxious to ‘flip the script’ with regard to older adult ministry.
We knew a ton of potential was being ignored, and changes were needed in how churches and individuals approached this life season.
As we ourselves become more seasoned, it feels now more like a push to broaden the script—rather than flip it. Broader serving, generational connections, prayer, disciple making. “Doers of the Word, not just hearers.”
Read More