Year: 2017

In this concluding part of the series I want to continue to help church leaders in the challenging task of ensuring that all members are achieving their God-given place of service in the local church, particularly, in this context, the older members. Crowning Years Recently I attended the thanksgiving service for Alun Davies, a godly church leader whom I loved to visit up to the end of his life in his eighties. Why? Because he reflected and spoke about the wonder and glory of Jesus. He took every opportunity to talk about Jesus, to witness to those he touched, whether a carer who was coming to help look after his wife, June, or a painter who decorated his house. He was one of those I visited to encourage - but…

I now want to speak to church leaders. One of your primary responsibilities is to present every one of your members 'mature in Christ' (Col 1:28) - a life-long process that does not end at 'retirement'! It includes helping them to reach their full potential and bring their gifting to the benefit of the community. When we were chosen from before the foundation of the world it was to walk in the good works God has prepared for us to walk in (Eph 2:10) and that never stops this side of the grave. This series has particularly addressed those who are typically retired – I feel I am qualified to do so! But in using the expression ‘mobilising older people’ I am not speaking of walking frames. What I am talking about…

Homework - did you do it? Last time I urged you to list the things you felt you could contribute to the church at this stage in your life. I hope you were obedient! I would now like to add some suggestions to your list. Discipleship and mentoring Jesus' final command was to go and make disciples (Matt 28:19). What a great season in life you are now in to do this with less pressures on your time! You may no longer be an activist and implementer, but you have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. But be sure to do so in humility - and remain a learner! For instance, young men and women in the church may value just sitting with you and asking questions, or discussing a…

Defining your current gifting and capacity If you believe that God has not finished with you, you have a responsibility to wait on him to discover what he has for you in this season of life. It may well differ from what you have been used to. Your previous energy and capacity have probably diminished. But that does not mean they have come to an end. So let’s look at what you have to offer. You may like to list them out and then ‘lay them before the Lord’. This can give the space and opportunity for him to confirm or adjust what you have written. Be practical As I approached retirement I took time over several months to list the things in which I had been involved. I then…

Those in their latter years What is your attitude now that you are beginning to feel the aches and pains which come with age? What is your attitude to the current church leadership, maybe those who carry the responsibility you once carried? Be grace-filled not grumpy! Battles for each generation I am saddened when I encounter those who are finding the adjustment to later life has allowed a bitterness of spirit to enter their souls. We have all had battles to fight in our generation and, I trust, have fought those battles well. Maybe they were related to doctrine in the church – baptism of the Holy Spirit perhaps – or practice, such as having guitars in the meetings! That these were big issues now seems laughable, but once they…

Every family sees the passing of generations. As the Newfrontiers family experiences increasing longevity – nearly 36 years have passed since Terry Virgo drew together the first team (see my recent blog 'A team is born') – there is the inevitability of those involved in the early years growing older, both church members and those who have been privileged with leadership. In recent months I have attended thanksgiving services for five people whom I had grown to know, love and in some cases work closely with, who are now dwelling with Jesus in glory. What a joy, if tinged with inevitable sadness, to celebrate their lives and recognise that in each case they had ‘run well’ till the end. In no case did I witness complaining or grumpiness, despite handling serious…