Whenever there’s talk about changing an established ministry or trying something new in the church, it’s common to hear someone, who’s typically uncertain about the proposed change, say, “I just don’t think our older members will like this.” Have you heard this in your church?
The assumption is that older people don’t like change. For whatever reason, older folks are typically assumed to be adversarial to change, holding on tight to “sacred cows” without regard to the call of Christ to share the gospel. I think this is crazy!
Maybe my church is just strange, that’s a real possibility, but many of the older people at my church aren’t unwilling to consider, or even initiate, change if they understand the vision and need behind a new idea. They want to share the message of Christ with a lost world as much as anyone and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen - even if that includes change.
What I have observed about the older members of my church is that they are very intentional. They want to make sure that whatever we do has been well thought out and organized, so that time and resources aren’t being wasted; but they are rarely opposed to change without a good reason.
At the heart of many misconceptions about older people is the view that they are mostly passive recipients in the church. They are thought of pew sitters, rather than as individuals with gifts, talents, and wisdom to share and utilize as we go about realizing the mission of the church to make Christ known. I think the church would be well served to stop making assumptions about older people and begin including them in the mission of the church. They have much to share and are, I have found, eager to get involved if asked.
What’s your experience with the older members of your church?
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