There is a recent trend in Pentecostal churches where membership is predominantly young people. Older people (the over 40s) seem to be less and less involved in the affairs of the church – why? Whereas this may be appreciated especially in African societies which are predominantly young, a lot may be missed if older people are not intentionally engaged.
Older people have gone through life ahead of the younger ones. This means that they are way ahead in terms of experiences, skills, gifting, networks, mentorship, finances, wisdom, knowledge and understanding (Job 12:12 Wisdom is with the aged, and with length of days , understanding). The church could therefore reap a lot from this age-group if it is well managed.
So, why are older people getting less and less involved in some churches?
Changing seasonal priorities: Life has seasons just like our God is a God of seasons. We are told that in Ecclesiastes that there is time for everything.
I look back at my own journey. I got saved at an early age and I joined church around 1985 while on campus. Apart from lectures, I had time to participate in whatever was going on, especially in youth activities. I had ample time to hang around church any time I wanted. Then I got employed, got married and started a family. Certainly life demands and priorities changed. At some point I had to leave my job to spend more time with the then young family.
I had diapers to change, drop and pick kids to and from school, a home to look after, games to go to etc etc. My focus changed and my involvement at church reduced for obvious reasons. I later re-engaged but now in married fellowship where issues of marriage and parenting were being discussed. I also volunteered at church part time. Priorities and focus changes with seasons.
Life challenges:
As seasons change, challenges are also increasing – financial struggles, sicknesses, wayward teenagers, marital conflicts, sick parents to take care of etc. One begins to focus on making ends meet and finding help for these challenges like counseling, prayer etc. Others at this point just lose the passion for God and church and focus on the challenges.
Busy civil duties:
Some members get involve in civil activities – politics, social activism etc. This may eat up most of the time that would have been given to church. They may be serving the Lord’s agenda in the market place.
Success and wealth or poverty:
Sometimes wealth and good life can divert us as we get comfortable. The love of and attachment to things may divert us from the Lord. Passion for the Lord, His Kingdom and His work begin to disappear. Character issues may come in here. ‘Side dishes’ shady deals may become the order of the day. This is tragic. Poverty and lack may be too much and discouraging in many ways.
Attacks from the evil one:
The evil one prowls around seeking whom to devour. He knows exactly which angel to come through and disorganize us. He knows what can successful divert us from what really matter. He sets traps and without much consciousness, we get caught in his traps! May God help us!
Lack of ongoing relationship with the Lord:
Christians are supposed to be plugged in the Lord all the time. This ensures an ongoing intimate relationship with the Lord and the leading of the Holy Spirit. When this is happening, the Lord will always lead one in the right places to serve Him and extend His Kingdom.
Lack of individual efforts towards basic Christian practices like prayer, fasting, bible study, fellowship and accountability result in ineffective service.
Insufficient conducive environment:
An examination of ministry aspects that are doing well indicate that there has been deliberate efforts by a church to invest there-in. This is in terms of strategic leadership and management, availing resources and spaces for self-expression. When these are not in place for the oldies, they may slowly seep through the hands of the church and with time, the church may realize that they are void of the benefits of having the older folk around.
Some of the ways that the older people are useful include:
- Being role models for godly living
- Involvement in strategic leadership, preaching, teaching, pastoring, prayer, worship leading related activities (Ps. 71:18 Now also when I am old and grey headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare your strength to this generation, you power to everyone who is to come.) etc.
- Offering general spiritual guidance counseling and mentorship services to the younger (Deut 32:7: Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations. Ask your father and he will show you; your elders and they will tell you).
- Offering hospitality services to various groups as needs arise.
- Helping connect young people to progress and growth avenues like employment opportunities, scholarships, internships etc
- Giving of their resources for relevant projects etc. Older people are more fairly remunerated through years of hard work and therefore they can afford to give especially of their finances towards worthy causes of the ministry.
What the church could do to attract the older people in church activities:
For sustained progress, it all starts at policy level – spoken and un-spoken. The philosophy of the church has to be conducive. We are taught that everything rises and falls on leadership. There is need for older people to be re-integrated in all aspects of the church especially the leadership. Maybe there is need for a core pastor assigned to give strategic oversight to this single cause for the next few years.
Let us all strategize on how to get older people – 50 and above involved in church activities – starting with praying for God’s wise guidance.
AMEN!!
