Important New Book - Must Reading for Christian Leaders

I just received a copy of Thom Rainer and Jess Rainer's new book The Millennials: Connecting to America's Largest Generation. This book is a must read for youth workers, youth pastors, and ALL Christian leaders. I am impressed with the research and the conclusions presented. Good stuff!

Encouraging Senior Citizens to Become Mentors

I have finally arrived! I’m at the stage of my life when I proudly display my AARP membership card to receive the discount rate at hotels. We try to do our grocery shopping on the one day each week that offers the “55-plus-discount”, and I just noticed that I find myself paying more and more attention to those annual Social Security notices. However, I’m going to draw the line by NOT accepting the discount offer for the senior citizen cruise I just received. No offense to anyone (please!), but the last thing I want to do is hang-out with a bunch of old people… like me.

Friends, where did we get the idea that it is a good thing for seniors to fellowship and associate only with each other? In fact, I’m starting to believe that churches are making a mistake by doing that.

Believe me, I understand. I enjoy being with people my own age. We often share the same memories (remember the good ole’ days of the 1960’s?) - and our values are often the same. We look at life the same way and we have, for the most part, experienced many of the same things. Sure, it makes sense to have friends the same age we are.

But, when we transfer that scenario to the church – it may become a detriment to true church relationships, fellowship, and ministry. I am becoming more and more convinced that younger generations need and actually crave healthy and growing relationships with seniors. Today’s “millennials” seem to relish close, positive relationships with older people. Maybe it’s because they’ve often enjoyed close relationships with their parents and other significant adults.

This is an incredibly positive cultural phenomenon that pastors and other church leaders must hasten to capitalize on in the church. Not only do today’s young people actually appreciate older saints, they can and will learn much from the wisdom, knowledge, and life experiences of older people. That’s why it is such a shame for churches to separate the generations almost exclusively in their various ministries and gatherings.

I am a student of today’s generational differences. My research and personal experiences have taught me that church leaders will probably need to teach the various generations to begin developing intergenerational relationships. It won’t happen automatically. Let’s face it; the seemingly ever-widening “generation gap” has permeated our culture for years and years. Churches have “bought in” to this philosophy of separating people by age in most of our educational programming. We hold one-generational classes and socials where the seniors gather in one place, while the young people gather somewhere else. Sure, the various generations gather together during the weekly worship services, but truth-be-told, the generations have very little to do with each other in most of our corporate services or educational ministries.

So, how do we reverse this trend? I believe it starts with the seniors. It only makes sense that the impetus for developing strong intergenerational relationships begins with the older generation. Our elders have personal life messages that provide a wealth of wisdom and maturity and our students need their advice and counsel. That’s certainly the idea behind the classic Biblical passage concerning intergenerational ministry in Titus 2 where older women were instructed to teach younger women. Our churches’ senior citizens must begin to build positive and growing relationships with young people. It may not be easy, but it is the right thing to do. Sure, we get too old to play tackle football, but we don’t get too old to be mentors.

Here are a few simple ways seniors can build mentoring relationships with young people:

1. Take the time to learn your young people’s names and greet them warmly in church.

2. Find time to pray with and for your church’s young people.

3. Volunteer to help in your church’s children’s or youth ministries.

4. Invite young people into to your home for a meal or snack.

5. Teach a younger person a life skill (like quilting, golf, auto mechanics, or piano lessons…)

6. Look for opportunities to share your life experiences (tell stories) to young people.

7. Take the initiative to send cards or notes of encouragement to young people.


Friends, the ideas are endless. The important thing is to be intentional about developing positive intergenerational relationships. Let’s all be purposeful and intentional about passing the baton to future generations.

Don’t forget that Vision For Youth is hosting our first annual “National Mentoring Summit” on March 5, 2011 on the campus of Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, PA. All church ministry leaders should plan to attend. Send a note to: info@visionforyouth.com for more information.

http://www.visionforyouth.com/