Jesus came to reach the lost and to minister to the outcasts of society. He healed those who were broken and lifted up those who were disenfranchised. He ministered to ordinary people – both outright sinners and those who had even a glimmer of faith. Think of the people He touched: the lame and blind, lepers, women, children, the dying, the bleeding, thieves on a cross, the demon-possessed, tax-collectors, and even some Pharisees.
The New Outcasts
The church in recent years has made a concerted effort to reach out to those they consider outcast by society, which is commendable. But there is one segment of society that has not only been ignored, it has been intentionally ostracized by the church. The church has (intentionally or not) said, “We don’t want you here,” “You’re not important,” and “We don’t care about you.” In fact, some pastors have even said, “We’re just waiting for you to die.” I contend that this is the neediest segment of society.
Let me tell you about this group. They are often sick and diseased. They experience broken hearts, unbearable grief, immeasurable pain, and often terrifying loneliness. They live with the reality that any day might be their last and the apprehension that they’ll be meeting their Maker at any moment. They are closer to touching eternity than any other single segment of society. Sometimes they’re locked away so society can forget they’re even here. Their circumstances often leave them penniless. They are regularly looked down on, abandoned, ridiculed, and neglected, especially by the church. But I believe if Jesus were physically here today, THESE are the people He would be reaching out to. He would wipe their tears, calm their fears, and let them know He loves them and values them. They aren’t worthless in His sight. They aren’t disposable. They aren’t a burden. They are precious.
Maybe you’ve already guessed who I’m talking about. They are the “least of these” we’re exhorted to care for in Matthew 24. And many of them are brothers and sisters in the Lord. They are the elderly.
How the Church Treats Them
Let’s face it. Most churches today want to appeal to the young. It’s quite common today to hear a pastor brag about the average age of his congregation being under the age of 40. Or 30. But if a pastor says the average age of his congregation is, say, 65, the other pastors react in horror, as if the souls of one age group are more important to God than another.
Whereas other countries honor their elderly, we have an aversion to them in the American church. We consider them irrelevant, a burden to be tolerated until they eventually die off and we don’t have to listen to their opinions or objections anymore. We don’t want them on the platform, lest they diminish the church’s reputation as “young and hip.” We don’t want them to use their spiritual gifts (other than giving) because we want to keep them hidden away so younger people aren’t turned off by them. We refuse to sing a single song in a month’s time that might minister to their hearts because we don’t personally like that style of music. In fact, we don’t want to do anything that might remind them of the church they once cherished, because we don’t want to appear old-fashioned. And we figure if we give them one song, they’ll expect another. We want to be forward-looking, not backward-looking. And the elderly remind us of a past we’re trying to forget.
Does Diversity Matter?
With all the talk about the importance of diversity in the church, you would think someone would propose generational diversity. As long as we are welcoming people of other ethnicities, we pat ourselves on the back and let others know “this is what heaven will look like.” [I’m not going to touch that comment!] I do wonder, though, why churches don’t see generational diversity as a necessity. Shouldn’t we seek to incorporate the whole body of Christ in our churches – old and young alike? Or are we so arrogant to think that there is nothing to be learned from people who are considered senior citizens?
I’ve heard all the excuses. Old people already know about Jesus. They’ve had their turn. If we don’t reach the next generation, there is no hope for the world. I have news for you, there are millions of elderly people who don’t know Jesus. My husband and a few of my friends are hospice chaplains. They meet elderly people every day who don’t know Christ. Their souls matter to God, and reaching them is imperative, since they have a greater likelihood of dying – soon – than anyone else in the country, except maybe illicit drug users. And these elderly people have an influence on their children and grandchildren who love them and respect them. Elderly Christians have wisdom and experience that is an invaluable resource for churches. And they have time. Lots of time. Time to pray, time to practice hospitality, time to develop relationships and share the Gospel with friends and neighbors. God isn’t finished using them yet, so it’s a shame when churches make them feel as if God is already done with them.
Why the Church Should Care
Maybe the truth is that we don’t really care about elderly Christians or non-Christians at all. They are too much work. Too needy. Exhausting. Well, that sure says something about us, doesn’t it?
John 13:34-35 reminds us, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jesus didn’t say the world will know we are His disciples if we love THEM, but if we love one another – our fellow Christ-followers (which includes our elderly). Don’t think the world isn’t watching us. If we don’t love “the least of these” within our very own congregations, why would they think our love for them is sincere?
One of the first recorded ministries in the early church was feeding widows. You can read about it in Acts 6:1-4. It was the Grecian Jews “among them” (i.e., fellow Christians) who were complaining that “their widows” were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Notice that the early Christians weren’t feeding all the widows in town. They didn’t start a food ministry to meet everyone else’s needs. They were committed to feeding their own widows, those who were part of the household of faith. Read Paul’s instructions to Timothy about who should be put on the list of widows (1 Timothy 5:9-15) – women over the age of 60 who were known for their good works and their ministry to the believers. These were elderly Christians the church cared for. Family members had the first responsibility to care for their needs, but the church was there as a safety net.
Throughout the New Testament, the responsibility for caring for others always began within the household of believers. And the elderly, who were particularly vulnerable, were of primary concern. Even from the cross, Jesus gave instructions for John to take care of His mother (John 19:26-27). If you need other Scripture verses to convince you of the value of the elderly – both male and female – try some of these: Leviticus 19:32, Psalm 71:9, Job 1212, Psalm 92:12-14, 1 Kings 12:6-15, Deuteronomy 32:7, and Luke 2:36-38.
Can God Still Use Them?
Think about some of the elderly people God used in a mighty way: Abraham, Moses, Daniel, Joshua and Caleb, Simeon and Anna. And most likely many others. God didn’t see old age as a disqualifier for ministry. In fact, some were just getting started in their later years. What most retired pastors have known for many years is that once you turn 50, there is no place for you in ministry. When my husband and I were looking for a staff position at a church 5 years ago, we spoke to a district superintendent we had known since college. The first question he asked was, “How old are you?” When we told him we were in our early 50’s, he promptly told us there was no place on staff at any church for someone over 50. I can’t help but think we have a whole army of intelligent, capable, wise, Spirit-filled “retired” pastors and laypeople who have been similarly discarded by the church. What a travesty!
A Call to Repentance
I think it’s time for the church to repent for the way it has treated the elderly and to start thinking of them in a different light. Both non-Christian and Christian elderly people need the ministry that the church provides. They need to know that someone cares for them and loves them and thinks they’re worthy of being part of the church. Elderly Christians should be cherished as a resource of wisdom for the entire church. Elderly pastors should be encouraged to live out their calling until the Lord takes them home.
One day we will all stand side by side in heaven, praising the Lamb who sits on the throne. People from every nation will be present. I don’t know if we’ll all be the same age (29 would be my suggestion), but we will certainly all have experienced different ages on earth. It would be a shame if those who died at a younger age refused to worship with those who had been older on earth. Of course, that won’t happen! So, why should we use a standard as temporary and arbitrary as age to determine who is and is not worthy of ministering and being ministered to?
