Archive for October, 2010

In conversations among moderns, the term ‘Saint’ or ‘Saints’ sometimes surfaces in bars and movie theatres more often than churches. In Seattle, TheSaint is a bar that touts the “world’s most dangerous happy hour.” In New Orleans it’s a professional football team. In 1997, The Saint was a movie spin off of a 60s TV series about Simon Templar, a man who managed to outwit the police again and again. In 1977 The Saint was a fictional biography of Thomas Becket by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer.

Most of us would be reticent to accept the title of ‘saint’ in conjunction with our own personhood. “Do you know Betty? She is a saint!” “That man is so wonderful, he’s just a saint.” We know ourselves all too well to accept the modern definition of sainthood as a term that defines who we are. We are more likely to say something like, “Trust me on this, I’m no saint.”

I’m not sure when the RCC first began ‘recognizing’ saints and formally canonizing them, but when Alban Butler published Lives of the Saints in 1756, the book contained 1,486 saints. Many more have been added since that time. The Eastern Orthodox Church, on the other hand, says anyone in heaven is a ‘saint,’ whether recognized here on earth, or not.

Most Protestants use the term to refer to anyone who is a Christian. For example, Methodists believe all Christians are saints, but mainly use the term in reference to biblical characters, Christian leaders, or martyrs. Lutherans approve honoring saints in three ways: by thanking God for their examples of his mercy; by using the saints as examples for strengthening our faith; and by our imitating their faith and other virtues.

The Apostle Paul referred to Christ-followers in general as ‘saints,’ regardless of how well or badly they lived or how mature or immature they were in the faith. In Run with the Horses, Eugene Peterson says the term refers to the “kind of life to which they had been chosen, life on a battlefield. It was not a title given after a spectacular performance, but a mark of whose side they were on … (God) doesn’t wait to see how we turn out to decide to choose or not to choose us. Before we were born he chose us for his side—consecrated us.”

Here is the point of all this. When you and I are being our authentic selves, knowing who God is and who we are as ’Christ-followers, we are ‘saints.’ Thomas Merton put it this way: “For me to be a saint means for me to be myself.” A saint is someone through whom we catch a glimpse of what God is like — and of what we are called to be. Only God makes saints, but the Author of our faith is the Source of the grace by which saints live. And there we have it: a saint is someone whose story God tells.

So, “To all (of you) … who are loved by God and called to be saints (and who desire to live out their calling in life’s second half): Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7).

The world (and the Church) needs more of us.

W

(I’ve looked for the origin of the term “Saints preserve us!” but so far unsuccessfully. I await one of my readers to enlighten me on this one.)



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ALL RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS GROW WHEN A CRITICAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCE A COMMON CHANGE IN MIND SET.

Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center
James V. Gambone Ph.D.

In almost every church in America there are five distinct living generations: people born between 1900-1931 (Civic Generation); 1932-1944 (Mediating Generation); 1945-1963 (Boomer Generation); 1964-1981 (Diversity Generation); 1982- present (Millennial Generation). When you add one generation to represent all of the saints that brought us here, and assign one generation for saints yet unborn, every Christian faith community symbolically represents at least seven generations.

. . . gather the people together, proclaim a solemn assembly; summon the elders, gather the children, yes babes at the breast; bid the bridegroom leave his chamber and the bride her bower . . .” -Joel 2:16

I was conducting a secular Intergenerational Dialogue with the five living generations in the world famous Mall Of America. In preparation for the event, I met with the manager of the Mall for lunch. After pleasantries, he cut right to the chase. “Jim, he said, “I think you’re pretty naive to think this intergenerational approach has any hope of really changing anything.” I asked him why he said that. He replied, “Look around. There are billions of advertising and marketing dollars being spent every day to convince people that they are part of a unique and distinct generation. Why do you think this kind of advertising works? It works because people who see themselves as a separate group are easier to sell.”

Over the past 11 years of doing intense intergenerational work throughout America, Canada and parts of Europe, these words from the manager of the world’s largest temple to consumerism continually come back into my mind.

My theology tells me that God intended to have all people share his unconditional love together not in a targeted market group that shares a special interest. But how quickly the Church has fallen into forming its ministries based on secular marketing principles.

“Youth ministries,” “family ministries,” “singles ministries,” “men’s and women’s ministries,” “senior ministries,” “people of color ministries,” etc. all divide today’s churches into neat, congregational market niches. We are told we need to invest in these kinds of ministries in order to meet the “diverse” needs of our faith community. Yet in spite of nearly thirty years of congregational growth advocates telling us that we need to fill congregational market niches in our mainline churches, attendance and membership continues to decline among all generations. Doesn’t this suggest something is dramatically wrong?

Thank God a growing number of churches are courageously following a very different philosophy. After two years of intensive study, an ELCA Lutheran church in Monticello, Minnesota named it’s first Director of Intergenerational Ministry. Two Pentecostal congregations were featured in the July 1997 issue of Christianity Today.

Dennis Sawyer, senior pastor of a midsize Seattle congregation called Church By the Side of the Road says, “We pay as little attention to age as possible . . . The Wisdom that used to be shared around the supper table, from older to younger, isn’t happening. So we need to make opportunity for this in the church . . . And when visiting parents come up or call me at the office and ask, “What programs do you have for teenagers,” I smile and say, “We have church!”

Pastor Warren Heckman of the Lake City church in Madison, Wisconsin heads a church of over 1,000 worshipers. On the essential question of church leadership, he told Christianity Today, “My goal for years has been that the Board Of Elders have an age span. Every year in the nominating process, I purposely steer things that way. Not that I neglect the Biblical warnings against choosing novices-but I’ve always believed there were young people who were worthy of consideration. Age does not automatically equal spiritual maturity.”

Many of us believe it is time to build a new and broad-scale intentional intergenerational religious movement in this country. It needs to be a movement about faith, revival, love, hope and opportunity. It needs to be different from all other movements that have come before. And it needs to be initially focused around breaking down the barriers between generations in our churches and church-connected organizations.

The mainline protestant denominations are perfectly positioned to lead such a movement because their congregations are generally 10 years older than the rest of the population. While some in the church bemoan this situation as a problem, it should be seen as an opportunity. The demographics in the church resemble what the rest of the population will look like throughout the first half of the 21st century. These older churches could take advantage of their aging membership and be in the forefront of offering a new model of intergenerational service and relationships as we approach the millennium.

Growing the Intentional Intergenerational Ministry Movement

All religious movements grow when a critical number of people personally experience a common change in mind set. The late Howard McClusky provided us with a challenge and an opportunity to change the way we look at our society and our religious institutions. Through intentional intergenerational ministry, our churches and church-affiliated organizations could become “faith communities of differents,” an interacting group of people occupying both adjacent and widely separated stages in the progression from the beginning to the end of life. It would be an association that would share a common belief system, and respect, caring and cooperation as basic, fundamental principles for living on a day-to-day basi

It is the differences and unique assets and gifts among generations in the churches that could make the wholeness of life more comprehensible. The differences also account for the common and compelling need generations have to learn from each other.

Some will argue that we have many differences in the church that need to be addressed first. There are racial, economic and political differences. While this is true, I believe the generational platform is the best place to start working because it is the most “inclusive” platform where we can address differences by first recognizing what we share in common.

While I will never be an African-American or a woman, I can sit down with another 57-year-old Baby Boomer-regardless of race, gender or nationality- and find things we have in common simply as a member of a generation. These commonalities may not seem initially as significant as racial, political or gender differences. But I propose that if we can truly understand and appreciate generational similarities across race, income, nationality and culture, there is hope that we can begin to appreciate much more difficult racial and cultural differences.

Once generations recognize their identity and realize the unique contributions they have to make, they can join respectfully with other generations to take on some of our pressing societal and spiritual issues. If we can break down the enormous barriers and isolation between generations in all of our religious institutions, the chances of breaking down other differences will dramatically increase.

Celebrating the similarities and differences between generations can also help congregations become respectful, caring and cooperative communities supporting the growing Intentional Intergenerational Ministry movement in America.

Practical Suggestions For Making Your Congregation An Intentional Intergenerational Community of Faith.

1. Lighting the Advent Candle

During Advent, set aside at least two Sundays where representatives from all the generations in the congregation light the Advent candle together. Always ask for a pregnant woman to join the group so she can represent the interests of future generations.

2. Passing On the Bible

Have your elders and older adults personally prepare a Bible for each young person in the church after their confirmation. Make it a ritual. Before they give it to the young person, have the adults tell the entire congregation what the Bible has meant to them and how important it is to pass the faith on from one generation to the next. Have each adult make a commitment to periodically check in with the young person to see how they are doing with their new Bible.

3. Family Fest For All Generations

Family Fest could be a series of five nights over a two-month period where the entire church family gets together. Make this a festive occasion with flowers and brightly decorated tables. In two hours, 5:30-7:30, you could serve a dinner, celebrate birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, and have singing, prayers, skits, an intergenerational exercise, story time and benediction.

4. Intergenerational Vacation Bible School

Blend as many ages as you can at Bible school. By making it intentionally intergenerational, you can literally make Bible stories come alive through role-playing and cross-age problem-solving activities.

5. Intergenerational Mission Trips

How would a mission trip look if the age range was six years to 86 years? Some churches are already doing this. Think of the opportunities for cross-age interaction and generational transfers if different generations spent time together. Intergenerational mission trips would look much more like the mission trips of early Christian communities.

6. Sunday School

Sunday School was originally created for orphan children without parents. Some Ministers are now saying that Sunday School orphans children who have parents. Sunday School should be promoted as a place where different ages can connect and learn from one another.

7. Retreats

Intergenerational church retreats are wonderful places to offer formal and informal ways for generations to get to know each other. An Intergenerational Dialogues ( www.pointsofviewinc.com) can take place during all-age retreats. Retreats are good places to begin intentional intergenerational ministry or to give a boost to what you are already doing.

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Oct
15
2010

What are the two most important questions any Church must ask about ministry to people 50+?

Rev. John Thill

Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

To pose such a question is hopefully to trigger some intentional thinking about ministry to people 50+.  The danger is that in the busyness of ministry, we just do what has to be done without reviewing the foundational reasons why we do them.   When the principal of a Christian School was asked by a grandparent, “What kind of student are you working to produce from this school?”  All he could offer was that he did not have an answer; no one had ever asked him that question before.  Preachers are taught that they must be able to summarize their sermon in a sentence if they truly are prepared.  Prominent in the business world is the theme of leading with the end in view.  So what about us?

What two questions, if asked, would prompt us to improve our leadership of ministry to and through people 50+?  The first is like the one asked of the principal.  “What kind of people are we producing from our ministry to and through maturing adults?” Matthew 10:24-25:  “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.  It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.”  If someone in your congregation came and asked you what you want the people in your ministry to be known for, what would you say?  If the question was asked of the people in the ministry what would they say?  If the question were asked of the congregation as a whole what would they desire God to produce among your people?  This would also be a fun question to ask of the church staff.  What would be the traits they would like to see in the people you are ministering to?  What traits do they see now?

To answer this question a number of things need to happen.  We must realize how important the question is and not ignore it because it can be elusive to answer.  Could you, in a sentence, explain to someone what kind of person you would like to see coming from this ministry.  For example:  “I would like people to say of our group, when they come in here, it is like Jesus walked into the room.”  “I would like God to say of us what he said to Caleb – These people think differently and serve me wholeheartedly.”  “I would like to have my people live in the love of God so they are filled to the fullness of God, trust the ability of God, and worship the greatness of God (see Ephesians 3: 14-21).”  “I would like our group to be known for the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-26.”  What are you and your people trusting God to produce from this ministry?

Secondly we need to apply the question to individual events, programs, and ministries as well as to the ministry as a whole.  When planning events, seminars, dinners, trips and etc., what would we like to see happen in the people who participate?  For example, we are going to go on a trip and want to see a renewed commitment in our people for “gratitude”.  What can I do that brings this trait in at every point?  What kind of trip would give opportunity to teach about and practice gratitude?  Give prizes for catching people expressing gratitude.  Watch for examples of ingratitude.  Have people share what the response was in someone they thanked who normally would never hear gratitude.  Plan a lunch where each person is first given a rock and nothing else and see what they say.  Read Matthew 7:7-12 and Psalm 88:12 “Righteousness cannot be done in a land of forgetfulness.”  You would want to have something beside the rock or you may have to teach on “thou shall not kill.” At the end of the day discuss ways that your group could take gratitude to the next level and report on the results at your next meeting.  How could your ministry become known as the most grateful group of people in the church?

Discuss ways the people in your group could act on the emphasis of the event or trip.  After a sermon on Barnabas, and the importance of encouragement, a high school student began “The Barnabas Committee” where Christian students anonymously sent notes of encouragement to the facility and staff of a large secular high school.  At the end of two years the principal said to the student, I know you were the head of the Barnabas committee; you will never know what an impact this had on our school.  What can we do to foster that kind of response in our ministry?

Thirdly, discuss with your leadership and ultimately with the group as a whole, what God needs to produce in and through our group at this time in our ministry.  What would we need to start doing and stop doing to see this happen?  Study Ephesians 4:17-5:21, Colossians 3:1-17, and Galatians 5:16-26 and make a list of what your group would like to “put off” (stop doing) and “put on” (start doing

Deuteronomy 32:2, 7 “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.  Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past.  Ask you father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.”  God’s plan for “elders” is that they would declare his power to the next generation (Psalm 71:18); tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done (Psalm 78:4).  The best definition of a successful ministry to people 50+ is that we are producing people who have such an authentic relationship with the Lord that their desire is to build God confidence in others and others are drawn to them because of the radiance and reality they see in their walk with God.

The second question is “How do your people view the second half of life?” Of course the answer will vary with each person in your group, but what is the general understanding of aging?  How does your group see itself, those older, those younger?  What would you say the general view of aging is in your congregation?    What is this understanding based on?  One of the more interesting things you can do is get your people to define successful aging, what is “old”, why is our culture so fixated on being, thinking, looking young?  As ideas are shared, it will become apparent what the prevailing understanding of aging is.

One way to discover the commonly held beliefs about aging in your church is to conduct a confidential survey to poll people’s real attitudes and then present a report and contrast those beliefs with what Scripture teaches.  When do the people of our church want to stop growing older and why?  Is it forever 21, 29, 39, 49…?  Since, barring an early death, all of our congregation will grow old, what are we doing to give them God’s view rather than the worlds.  Billy Graham said in a Newsweek Magazine interview that all his life he had been taught how to die but no one taught him how to grow old.

There seems to be three typical responses to aging among churchgoers.  Denial, Dread or Determination.  The response is dependent on the age, life experience; Biblical understanding and life stage the person is going through.  The definition of successful aging in the mind of the individual plays a definitive role in the response.  If for example, the definition of successful aging is to stay young as long as you can and die quickly, denial and dread are most frequently the hallmarks of a person’s attitude toward the second half of life.   If on the other hand, successful aging is defined as recognizing the seasons of life and living through each of them with God’s purpose, power and promise based on a Biblical foundation, the attitude will be characterized by a determination to engage each season with all of God’s provision.

A great project for your group would be to write and post a Biblical definition of successful aging.  A good place to start is a study of Second Corinthians, especially the first four chapters.  Some churches have realized the importance of this and have begun a comprehensive means of building a Biblical view of aging in their congregation starting with teaching the children of the church about aging and how to relate to those who are older and working it through each of the generations and ministries of the church.

Two key questions:  What kind of adult are you trusting God to produce from your ministry? And what is the view of the second half of life among your people?  The asking and answering of these two questions will have an impact on everything else you do.

Rev. John Thill has been the senior pastor of three churches over 24 years and holds a BA in history and sociology from Westmont College, an M.Div from Fuller Seminar and ordination in the Evangelical Covenant Church.  He has been in the field of elder care since 1995 serving in retirement housing, as President and CEO of a not for profit elder care company, and with CASA and Significant Living as Director of Ministry from 2005 to 2009.  He is currently Pastor to mature adults at Rolling Hills Covenant Church in Rolling Hills Estates California.   He can be reached at 310-521-2524 or jthill@rhcc.net.

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The Broken Jar by Alabama neurologist Daniel C. Potts, M.D. chronicles through poetry and watercolors the inspiring story of his father, an Alzheimer’s victim.  Lester E. Potts, Jr., a rural saw miller, became an acclaimed artist after the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease through a creative arts therapy program at Caring Days Adult Daycare Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  Broken through the cruel hand of this disease, Lester’s life was transformed through the power of art and care giving techniques which affirm human dignity and feed the human spirit.  Dr. Potts became a writer after viewing his father’s art, producing The Broken Jar in gratitude for the care Lester received and the power of art to bring healing, and in celebration of the indomitable beauty of the human mind and spirit.  The book may be purchased online at the Caring Days website, www.caringdays.org.

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Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

A lawyer and a senior citizen are sitting next to each other on a long flight.

The lawyer is thinking that seniors are so dumb that he could get one over on them easy.

So the lawyer asks if the senior would like to play a fun game.

The senior is tired and just wants to take a nap, so he politely declines and tries to catch a few winks.

The lawyer persists saying that the game is a lot of fun.

‘I ask you a question, and if you don’t know the answer, you pay me only $5. Then you ask me one, and if I don’t know the answer, I will pay you $500,’ he says.

This catches the senior’s attention and to keep the lawyer quiet, he agrees to play the game.

The lawyer asks the first question.  ‘What’s the distance from the Earth to the Moon?’

The senior doesn’t say a word, but reaches into his pocket, pulls out a five-dollar bill, and hands it to the lawyer.

Now it’s the senior’s turn.  He asks the lawyer, ‘What goes up a hill with three legs, and comes down with four?’

The lawyer uses his laptop and searches all references he could find on the Net.

He sends e-mails to all the smart friends he knows; all to no avail. After an hour of searching, he finally gives up.

He wakes the senior and hands him $500. The senior pockets the $500 and goes right back to sleep.

The lawyer is going nuts not knowing the answer. He wakes the senior up and asks, ‘Well, so what goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four?’

The senior reaches into his pocket, hands the lawyer $5 and goes back to sleep.


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MEET CHUCK STECKER AT ILC – ATLANTA!

Founder and President of A Chosen Generation, Chuck uniquely combines several years of business experience, 23 years of military service and over 13 years of full‐time ministry to bring forth a clear strategy to equip, train,empower and release a new generation of leaders. He has a passion to see churches return to truly intergenerational communities and develop the clear pathways that keep young adults actively connected to their churches and see them develop into the leaders that will impact every area of our society.

Read Chuck’s latest article, If You’ve Passed the Baton…Take it Back! in the Resource Center.

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Vitae Interruptus

Jan Kinzel

Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

Vitae Interruptus never comes at a convenient time, does it?  Little interruptions happen throughout the days and evenings, months and years.  Usually, our lives march along at a fairly predictable cadence.  But every once in a while in our journey the reigns get pulled, the horse rears and we get tossed to the ground wondering, “What Happened?”!

Perhaps it is necessary to reside somewhere temporarily. That in itself calls for some decisions.  After the stress and anxiety of making the move, a hotel can become a welcoming refuge.  It’s simple, convenient, affordable and interesting.  Most places will negotiate a very reasonable daily rate for long term stays.  There are no utilities, taxes or upkeep to pay – even two meals a day are complementary!  I say it’s interesting because people from all over the country and even around the world cross paths.  It serves as a community because everyone is here temporarily for a variety of reasons.

Some are here on vacation; they are the short-termers.  Some are here because of a house-fire or a house remodel  and they need to be out for a while.  Some live out of the area and are here because of illness of a loved one and tell me, tearfully, they will return for the funeral in the next few months.  There are some who have come to scope out housing for their families because of taking a new job in the area. Many of them are here for long-term business contracts and are away from their home and families for months.  And then there are some waiting for the next step -like we are.  Yes, it certainly is interesting!

Because the space is small and not easily ventilated and there is a dining hall with breakfast every morning and ‘happy hour’ food in the evenings at no extra cost, I have no reason to cook in our suite.  It’s great to take a break, but I love to cook.  To me, it is relaxing and creative.  The hotel has two Weber grills out by the pool.  I am willing to make salads, dressings and marinades in my kitchen and use the grills to cook the meats and veggies.  This keeps the lingering cooking odors out of our rooms.  There is a lovely deck with nice tables and chairs.  We grill and dine al fresco!

MENU

Grilled Salmon

Corn and Avocado Salad

Garlic Bread

Peach Flavored Iced Tea

Raspberry Sherbet and Wafer Cookies

RECIPES

Corn and Avocado Salad

Frozen corn kernels, two 16 oz. packages

Mini sweet peppers, one package of red, orange and yellow

Red onion, one medium-small, cut into a small dice

Avocado, two that are just beginning to soften

Cilantro or parsley leaves

DRESSING

½ cup apple cider vinegar

½ cup light, extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

4 twists of black pepper

Combine the dressing ingredients in a small canning jar, secure lid with the ring and

shake to mix.

Thaw the corn and pat away any excess moisture with a paper towel.  Place the corn in a

non-reactive bowl.

Add the diced onion.

Wash the peppers.  Starting from the pointed end, slice into rings.  Discard the pointed ends and the stems.  Add the pepper rings to the bowl.

Cut the avocados into halves, remove the pits and scoop out the flesh with a soup spoon.  Dice the avocados into half inch pieces and add to bowl.

Add several chopped leaves of cilantro or parsley.

Toss with the dressing and set in refrigerator for at least an hour.  This is still good the next day!

Grilled Salmon

1 large whole salmon fillet

Extra-virgin olive oil

Coarse salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Rinse the salmon fillet and pat dry with paper towels.

Rub both sides of the salmon with olive oil.

Season both sides of the salmon with salt and pepper.

Prepare a hot grill by spraying with Pam grill spray and heating to very hot.  Grill is ready

when the fish will immediately sear.

Lay the fillet, skin side up, on the grill and sear until a caramelized crust forms.

Turn the fish to the skin side and sear for 2 minutes.  Turn the grill to 3000 and continue cooking until just cooked through.  Remove from grill and let stand for a couple of minutes before serving.

Heat the garlic bread on the grill.

Make peach flavored tea by adding Torani peach syrup to tea and ice in a tall pitcher.  Garnish with fresh peach slices if they are in season.

A light fruity sorbet or sherbet with a small cookie makes a nice ending to this summery meal.

I call the hotel, my ‘hood’.  And it truly is that.

It’s certainly something worth considering.

Tip:  Expect a little turbulence and when it happens, pick yourself, dust yourself off and start all over again.

All things work together for good … Romans 8:28











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Betty Friedan, 1993, 638 pages

Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

The author has gathered a vast collection of research material from University studies around the world in a variety of topics related to people facing possible retirement years, whether by force or choice.  Betty Friedan, in addition to reporting on the interviews she has had with people, she weaves her own personal journey of aging into the mix.

The author writes about people’s denial of age and the statics based in terms of the measurement of youth instead of accepting themselves at whatever age they are.  She records how life expectancy has been lengthened in recent decades as earlier diseases have been eliminated by more advanced medical studies and cures.  An example was that at the turn of the century, women’s life expectancy was forty-six; now it was nearly eighty.  She reported on the trauma of retirement in men or widowhood or the “empty nest” in women, and for all who near their fiftieth birthday, the dread of the invitation to join AARP.

Aging in America is seen as a “problem” rather than an age of sage or respect.  Elderly Americans are referred to as “a burden to the young,” with failing health issues, but especially with Social Security.

Male suicide in people over sixty-five has been increasing steadily in America, especially in white males. Many people in retirement experience depression, a feeling of loneliness, poor health, powerlessness, fear of crime and serious financial problems.

One study at Harvard Medical School reported that one quarter of all drug prescriptions are written for persons over sixty-five.

A positive approach to aging suggested a “state of becoming and being, not merely as ending.”  A common theme from the various studies suggested a daily exercise regiment, a healthy diet (although that can become costly), and the taking of calcium or other vitamins supplements will improve the quality of life. Several studies concluded that “the majority of elderly are capable of engaging in all types of normal physical activity up until the age of eighty-five.”  People who have to work out of necessity and derive no satisfaction from it tend to die earlier than expected, while satisfying work tends to increase longevity, but unsatisfying work tends to reduce longevity.

Throughout the book, citing different studies, the author reported that “a continued interest in using the mind as a satisfying instrument in an environment where there was some sense of purpose appeared to substantially influence the men’s level of mental performance.”  The reports further indicated that for almost all people, being involved in an intergenerational community, having choices as to where they want to live and what they want to do, being able to serve and help others, seemed to give all a hope and a reason for living.  People who retired to golf or sit home in a rocking chair did not age well.  It was most obvious by the quantity of reports, how retired people could choose to go back to school, getting an education in an area they always dreamed about, from classes in the arts or music to foreign languages or academic subjects.  It became a chance to develop values and abilities, for each of us and for society that are not visible or fully realized in youth.

Studies also shared that “in age, the man can reclaim his ‘feminine’ side, which had to be repressed to allow him to protect his young as warrior; the woman can reclaim her assertive, aggressive, masculine side, which had to be repressed for her to stay close to the young she must nurture.”

The variety of care facilities was a huge topic.  From simply sticking elderly parents into a “home” because the extended family could no longer physically care for them, to seeing retired couples chose to move to an assisted living community, whether or not there would be choices for the elderly or strict rules were to govern them the rest of their lives.  Studies showed these things took away their will to live.

Love was shown to be a key factor to living a healthy life and that if family was not available to interact with the patient, then creating a new community/family of friends was very important.

Loneliness and lack of intimacy is a huge issue of concern.

Change is a constant for all of us.  We need to be flexible and to have an eagerness for challenge.  I found it interesting but true that “in times of rapid cultural and technological change, it is primarily in relation to younger populations that the aged can be describes as deficient.”  Many older people have learned to use the computer and the web and spend much time gathering helpful information, especially with regard to their medications, etc.

I agree with the author that throughout the book, a common theme appeared to me that people who keep a positive attitude live longer and healthier.  We all are aging, even with facelifts and hair dye; we can not deny that we are moving toward the winter of our lives.  While men “mature,” women are concerned about their loss of youthful beauty and looking “old.”  People, who learn to cope and accept change, grow.

I found it interesting that the author wrote about people being involved in their religion of choice, giving back to society whether it be serving in the Peace Corp, developing an elderly co-op, doing extreme sports, or traveling with a purpose to some far off land to help people in need.

My personal application of reading this book is to learn to listen better to retired people.  Encouraging a person in retirement to accept change and that they are in a new place, accept and respect who they have become, what they look like, accept their limitations, encourage them to move ahead. To dream their dreams to serve God and others, and fulfill the rest of their lives.

This review presented by Rev. El Roy Pankow, Wilshire Ave Community Church, Fullerton CA

Purchase The Fountain of Age At Amazon.com

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Pastor, Calvary Chapel, Santa Ana CA

In December 1965, Chuck Smith became the pastor of a 25-person congregation in Santa Ana. Four years later, Calvary Chapel became associated with what later was known as the Jesus Movement and in the following years, hundreds of Calvary Chapels sprang up all over America. In 2006, Chuck gave the following message to a CASA Seniors Retreat at the Murrieta Hot Springs Conference Center, Murrieta CA.

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New – Lifelong Significance. The inspiring story of Lester Potts, a rural saw miller who became an acclaimed artist after the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. FREE to all CASA Network partners! A brand new resource. Easy to download and reproduce in color or b/w in your church office. Give away to your small groups or SS classes this Fall. Personalize your own Events page insert. Quick. Easy. Target audience: 45+ and beyond age. Four issues each year.

Lifelong Significance Fall Newsletter (Editable Word Document)

Lifelong Significance Fall Newsletter (pdf)

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