We Want an Encore!
by Chris Holck
I have come to the conclusion that it is best for me to erase the term “Senior,” as in Senior Citizen, from my vocabulary. If society agrees with me, the ramifications are many! We have senior centers, senior moments, senior living, senior menus, senior adult pastors and ministries, and the beloved senior discounts. The Builder Generation (born before 1946) may embrace the term but they are never offended if I don’t refer to them by it. On the other hand, if I refer to the new wave of retiring Americans, Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) as seniors, I better get ready to duck. The only thing they like about the title “senior” is the discount. So, I call them “older adults.” They, or I (I am 53), may not like the term “older” but it’s better than “senior” and no one has come up with anything better, so, “older adult ministries” is their brand. Fortunately, the Evangelical Free Church has come up with a fresh new brand: EFCA Encore.
The mental picture of a musical encore fits well with Christians in their second half of life. They would say that, just like a good concert, life has been good because God is good, and they don’t necessarily want either to be over. They want more, they want an encore. And just like in a concert, they hope that the best has been saved for last. Christians entering, or those already in their second half of life trust that God has saved the best for last. I spoke with a retiree in Texas who loves his volunteer work in a juvenile prison. “I’ve never enjoyed what I do more!”
People today are living longer and healthier than the generations before them and they have received a lifetime of Christian training from sermons, Bible studies, Christian radio and TV. What are they going to do with those talents? The Bible is clear in Matthew 25:29 that, “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
A wave of older adults is about to retire, semi-retire or at least become empty nesters. They have more discretionary time to give. The best saved for last allows for travel and relaxation, but a true encore would mean using their talents for the glory of God. The notion of seniors biding their time on rocking chairs is out—we may be older adults, but we’re not done yet. We want an encore!
Chris Holck has served in three Evangelical Free Churches between 1986–2008. Chris’ interest in older adult ministry was sparked while serving in his last church, which was located in a resort area. He found a new challenge in connecting to and folding in the seasonal attenders or “snow birds” who fly north for the summer. Read more at encoregeneration.wordpress.com.