The Fat Church – part 3 The Forgotten Ones

One of the issues I find unhealthy in the current climate of the Fat Church is our treatment of people who are older.  I would define elderly as those over 70 years of age who are not as mobile as most and who likely are experiencing more medical problems due to age.

The emphasis in most churches is upon the youth.  They are the future generation and we want to make sure they are grounded and ready for adulthood.  I do not find fault with that.  Most of us were saved when we were children or young adults.  The older a person gets, the less likely they are to make Christ the Lord of their life.

When I was growing up, churches had a pastor and assistant pastor who might help with the youth, but most youth leaders were seasoned Christians within a particular church.  My parents did a wonderful job being youth leaders and our church was quite large in its day.  By the way, I did not resent my parents leading the youth group while I was in it.  I respected them for that.  Today, some youth do not want their parents to be seen around them while at youth activities.  Things have changed!  It seems we have put more money toward developing our youth, yet a worldly culture of disrespect toward their parents is commonplace today.  (Note: I am not advocating against paid youth pastors, only noting changes that have taken place.)

Now, let’s consider our subject, the elderly folk in our churches.  Do we hire pastors to oversee programs for them?  Do we spend any money toward this forgotten generation, or are they left in the background as if their day is over.  They certainly require more assistance.  Are we of the mindset that would just let them sit in their houses while awaiting the mortician?

Are these not the people who have been faithful throughout the years, given thousands to keep the church buildings and staff going, who are generally there for every service?  Are they not still the biggest donors in the financial stability of the church?  I think the biggest department in our Sunday School consists of the elderly!  But they remain the forgotten group in most churches.

Here is my question:  Should we not have a seniors’ pastor to look after these people (perhaps as important as a youth pastor), to visit them when they are sick, to comfort them in losses of loved ones and close friends, to provide programs to help them whether in Bible study, encouragement, special programs related to their age group, physical exercise, or excursions to great places?  Should that not be a priority in our churches?

The elderly are the most neglected group in the church.  They are sometimes laughed at by the younger generation.  Hardly any effort is given to encourage this group of people.  Keep in mind that the elderly experience many serious and debilitating health problems and depression from just getting older and not being able to do the things they used to do.  I guess most think they don’t need an organized program to help them.  Surely they are settled and don’t need help and many are secure financially.  They are mature and should not need the attention. At least that seems to be the thinking of many churches.

Here is an idea!  Have the young people integrate with the elderly.  How?  What if the young people were to help the elderly in some way, such as going to their homes and doing some kind of service work?  Could they adopt certain older people to call them to cheer them up or to stop by and help them with some chores.  Just to be friends with them would be a great encouragement.  We send our kids on expensive missionary trips and camps, but there is a need in our own neighborhoods of fulfilling God’s Word in helping the widows and elderly.

I believe that God will hold us accountable for our treatment of these precious saints.  I pray that God will help us to honor those who have prepared the way for the rest of us.  They have labored and sacrificed much for our churches.  May God help us to do our part in showing them the respect they deserve.