Are you ready for the gray wave? In a world preoccupied with youth and a church in which many of our divisions can boast an average membership age under thirty, it may seem incongruous to speak of a gray wave.
Nevertheless, the approaching retirement of the baby boom generation (those born between 1945 and 1964) means that local congregations must prepare to minister to increasingly larger groups of older members even as we seek better methods for reaching their children and grandchildren.
Referencing their sacrifices and accomplishments, Tom Brokaw calls today's retirees (those born in the 1920s and 30s) "The Greatest Generation." Brokaw applauds their success in moving beyond years of economic depression and World War II and declares that their offspring, the baby boomers, are beginning only now to fully appreciate the depth of thought and wealth of experience available from their parents.
Recently, Sharon and I were privileged to worship and share with some of today's retirees in the South eastern California Conference where we asked them to share insights as to how the local church could more effectively prepare for the upcoming influx of retirees and how these graying boomers could best function in the church of the future.
While these retirees readily admitted that they are better at offering advice than following their own counsel, their candor and insights will prove a real blessing to any pastor or church wise enough to listen and act. Their suggestions for both the corporate body and individual believers include:
You lose what you do not use. If today's boomers are not fully utilized in the church upon their retirement, likely they will not remain as just spectators. If meaningful ministries remain static in number while retirees grow in numbers, many might drop out for lack of involvement. Pastors and church boards should strategize ways to utilize the effectiveness and energy that newly retired boomers will bring with their suddenly available "free time."
Divide assignments into smaller pieces. Rather than expecting one or two local church elders to carry the whole load, distribute the ministry of the congregation among many smaller job descriptions. Recruit those who find themselves with increased time in retirement to accept a specific responsibility and release them to accomplish their assignment. Recognize skills of management and strategic planning that will enhance the effectiveness of the church's impact and be certain to empower those who accept such assignments to accomplish the task.
Encourage cross-generational socializing. Gray wavers will appreciate the potential of the next generations only if they socialize together. Likewise, younger members and children will recognize the wisdom of older members only as they learn to know them. Plan church functions which integrate different age groups.
Emphasize cross-cultural networking. Remember that many of your coming retiree group have already successfully interacted with today's secular society. Utilize their expertise to expand the base of potential new members and utilize their contacts to awaken interest in others who may not even realize they are seeking spiritual answers.
Devise ministry activities in which your members can include their friends and associates even prior to proclaiming the Word. For example, a church-sponsored pet visitation to nursing homes, a volunteer group at a local hospital, or support for community charities or counseling centers can function effectively as an "inclusive" entry event to the church. Thus the gospel can be "caught" before it is "taught."
Redefine mission. The faithfulness of today's retirees has often been exhibited by a "pray and pay" response to the global needs of the church. Boomers approaching retirement will expect to be more personally involved in mission and will expect increased accountability as to how their contributions (monetary or otherwise) are utilized. Pray, of course. But be prepared to match your prayers with actions. Emphasize short-term mission assignments and encourage retirees both to participate and to mentor youngsters by sponsoring and hosting them on mission ventures. The most progressive congregations pair local projects with mission activities and find the church flourishes when both local and global missions are held in focus.
Avoid pining for the good old days. Many go to church each week and pray that tomorrow will be 1959. Remember, the good old days weren't! Today's world is not the milieu of 1959 and neither the problems nor the solutions which the church met in the previous generation are the same as those it faces today. Motivate the coming gray wave by talking success, vision, mission, and doing God's will. Believe in the future with confidence and believe in those who will take your place in leadership.
Refuse to abandon hope for the next generation. Many are tempted to decry the challenges of boomers and to exacerbate the even greater problems of their grandchildren, but it is essential to recognize the continuing and returning faithfulness of succeeding generations. For example, the North American Division recently reported its greatest tithe gain, which was the eleventh consecutive year in which annual gains exceeded the rate of inflation. The coming gray wave will fulfill their responsibilities and, in fact, have already begun to do so even as the numbers of today's retirees decrease as the result of death or infirmity. God never asks His people to accomplish something for which he does not raise up leaders and provide resources to accomplish His will. Remember all God's biddings are enablings!
Today's retirees can also prepare their boomer children for greater responsibilities by recalling the blessings of faithfulness. Rather than focusing on the church's problems (local or global), recount how you have personally experienced God's leading in His people. Rather than allowing a root of bitterness to fester as you dwell on the past, talk about the future, about the assurance of victory in Jesus, about the certainty of His coming.
Care for each other. Perhaps no greater lesson needs to be learned by today's church, regardless of which generation we consider, than the need to nurture one another. Plans for new structures should include thoughtful accommodation for older and disabled members. Ministry assignments should consider both the potential and the limitations of older members. For example, rather than asking just one person to prepare the whole mailing list, enlist several to accomplish the job that one person might do alone. The fellowship of sharing the load will encourage all the participants.
Pastors provide better ministry by training leaders for prayer and fellowship groups or by encouraging the proliferation of task-oriented ministry groups than they could ever accomplish if they devoted all their own time to praying or working.
Retirees who are enlisted in ministry can maintain a level of contact with others who have experienced loss or those who might become discouraged which pastors could not possibly provide alone. Teach members to care for each other, to visit their contemporaries, to include widows and singles in small group functions, to disciple new believers, and to welcome and coach a new generation of church leadership.
And speaking of coaching. The California retirees said it plainly. Offer your opinions and advice and then stop talking! Pray that the Lord who closed the mouths of lions will perform the same miracle on you rather than allow you to criticize and tear down new leaders because they do things differently. Likewise, avoid bad-mouthing your successors. People might conclude you are no different than those you decry.
Don't trample new believers like an elephant stampeding through a strawberry patch unaware of his destruction of tender fruit. Disciple and encourage those who are new to the faith. Remind yourself and your contemporaries that sanctification is God's work throughout a person's lifetime. Expect newborn believers to face greater spiritual challenges than those who have walked longer with their Saviour. Share your personal story, your own real-life struggles and victories. Demonstrate care by inviting new members into your home and fellowship circle. Resist complaining and compliment them even for small steps of faith. Hug them and display real joy in their association. Greet and seek newcomers rather than gossip about their shortcomings.
Lift your pastor's work load. Gray wavers have the luxury of time to share with those for whom time flies far too quickly. You could make your pastor's day by offering your own services for routine tasks or by recruiting other volunteers. Persist if your offer is not readily accepted. Many pastors, who have become accustomed to slogging through their work alone, might not readily believe initial offers of assistance. Perhaps you could invite your pastoral family to lunch or volunteer to baby-sit one evening per month to give parents a night out without child care expense.
Whether at home or in the church, clear out the "stuff" rather than forcing a coming generation to clean up and discard items which clutter. Many items can be converted (sold to finance a mission project) or recycled (picture rolls, felts, or children's materials can still impact another part of the globe). Plan your future today and how your estate will benefit your family, God's cause, and those projects in which you believe. Downsizing at home could include reducing your possessions as well as your maintenance responsibilities in order to release time and energy for more important activities.
Retirees should wear out rather than rust out. Get a life beyond repeating your trials and tribulations. Investing yourself in meaningful activities will bring new meaning to your life. Sharon and I recently visited the pastoral couple with whom we interned. Even though they are aged 90, they are vital, interesting, and interested in the work of the church and the society around them. In extended conversation neither descended into self-pity or a rehearsal of their aches and pains. Rather than recounting their trials, they described their activities and encouraged us with their faith and confidence for the future.
Value small churches. Don't seek escape in church centers which may provide more sophisticated activities but which might hamper your ministry. Your contribution can be much more valuable to a smaller church than your attendance in a large congregation. Remain active and involved and use your talents to their greatest potential.
Learn your limitations and recognize that your greatest contribution maybe mentoring others rather than personally continuing in leader ship. Seek transferability by which you teach your own life skills to Pathfinders, Adventurers, youth groups, or students. Your contribution as a tutor or mentor will be more significant than seeking to retain a position on the church board. Release leadership to the next generation. Believe, trust, and affirm their capabilities to lead God's church into the future. Remember, each of us are "sermons in shoes," and our examples will speak much louder than our platitudes.
Plan now to effectively utilize the growing groups of retirees in your church and, if you are a gray waver, plan to increase your influence by maintaining your confidence in the future as you recall God's providence in your past.
