Baby Boomers[i] Breaking through the Age Barrier
The traditional view of all sixty-five-year-olds stepping blissfully into retirement, is rapidly being dispatched to the history books. While some retirees are happy to slip quietly into their autumn years, others are taking the words of Dylan Thomas more literally, when he writes, ‘Do not go gently into that long good night.’ [ii] Refusing to accept the stereotypical view of old-age, these mature warriors are marching to a different drumbeat. As Christian combatants they are seeking to join the ranks of a multigenerational church. Having no desire to belong to an age bubble these radical retirees find themselves subconsciously repeating the Psalmist’s plea, ‘don’t turn me out to pasture when I’m old or put me on the shelf when I can’t pull my weight.’ [iii]
With an ageing population, communities, including the church, are having to rethink an age-old-problem.
It seems that while advocating there is no retirement in God’s Kingdom, some go-getting geriatrics are being made to feel redundant by short-sighted, one-dimensional, leaders. In the light of this one has to wonder if: ‘Ageism is alive and well in the church? This narrow-minded behaviour of a few will not only bring the Christian church into disrepute, but over time cast doubt on its future.
Some historians would have us believe that ‘the elderly were revered, active citizens of ancient Rome. But on closer inspection, it appears that older people may not have enjoyed a respected or as powerful a place in Roman society as has been supposed.’[iv] Tom Parkin, author of ‘Old age in the Roman World’ has detected a general lack of interest in the treatment of older people in the Roman world, he notes that ‘privileges granted the aged generally took the form of exemptions from duties [rather] than [any] positive benefit.’ Parkin goes on to argue that ‘the elderly were granted no privileged status or ongoing social roles. At the same time, they were both permitted - and expected – to continue to participate actively in society for as long as they were able.’[v]It is this empire building rather than kingdom thinking that church leaders should be aware of.
While the Chinese legislate concerning parental care, the Koreans celebrate old age without the need of legislation. Like their Japanese and Chinese counterparts, the Koreans accept and respect their elders as a vital part on a vibrant society. Mediterranean and Latin cultures go further in building a multigenerational community. The older generation assists in caring for the young, while the breadwinners work outside the home - all in the style of ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding.’ However, ‘Western cultures tend to-be more youth-centric, emphasizing attributes like individualism and independence.’ Linking this philosophy to a Protestant work ethic that ‘ties an individual’s value to his or her ability to work – something that diminishes in old age,’[vi]- some believe this to be the root of an age-old problem facing both the USA and UK.
Any culture that is youth-centric and values the elderly only
in terms of their ability to work, will surely fail.
Although often ignored, side-lined and put out to graze, elderly Christians continue to push for a place at the table of human kindness, a spiritual home in which they feel accepted, appreciated and approved. In an attempt to address the issue, some church leaders have created age bubbles in which the elderly can sing hymns, tell stories and reminisce about yesteryear to their hearts content. Sadly, such groups do little to engage the vast experience and expertise these elderly saints possess.
Creating a Caleb Culture
However, there is a biblical octogenarian, who goes by the name of Caleb, who offers us some valid advice concerning the question of ageism in a redeemed community.
As an ardent follower of the adage, ‘Age is an Attitude’ – I have come to realise that this saying is both one and multi-dimensional- it has both a personal and corporate application. For us to individually prosper we all need a corporate environment that fosters an angle of approach in life that enables us to fulfil our God-given dreams.
The eighty-year-old Caleb who refused to allow the wilderness years to affect his mountaineering mindset, needed a positive environment in which to foster his can-do-attitude.
As commendable as Caleb’s angle of approach to life was,[vii] it took a Joshua-styled leadership and a redemptive community, to create a positive environment in which his dream could be realised.
For present-day Caleb’s to survive the cruel realities of later life, they need a multi-generational community lead by a Joshua styled leadership that encourages them to pursue the purpose of God in all stages of life. However, when it comes to building this kind of culture it seems that maybe society is leading the way.
With the average life expectancy soaring, Western leaders are beginning to realise just how much older people have to offer in building a multigenerational community. In her article ‘Breaking the Age Barrier,’ Mary Jacob’s writes, ‘Even multigenerational setting - such as churches … tend to tailor their programming by age: a [exercise] class for seniors; a Bible Study for young adults; a science camp for kids. As a result, most of us have few opportunities to make friends with people outside our own age group.’ [viii]
Age segregation not only contributes to social isolation but also reinforces stereo-types and perpetuate ageism.
Eunice Lin Nichols, notes that ‘older people tend to stay healthier, both physically and cognitively, when they have strong social connections.’ And one senior citizen who refused to be generationally isolated, pragmatically praises his new multi-generational relationships by stating that, ‘while the young might give us the heads up on useful smartphone apps, we might be able to give the young some advice on relationships and careers.’ [ix]
In Boston they are pairing older houseowners with students who need housing. Using the spare bedrooms of empty nesters, the arrangement not only offers student accommodation, but creates multigenerational friendships. In another American city a retirement community is offering a handful of apartments at no cost to 20-somethings musical student in exchange for performing for the residents. In New York City a social services program connects 7,000 children, teens and young adults with 3,000 old adults. The idea is to enlists volunteers to serve as “friendly visitors” to isolated older adults. Hosting intergenerational chess games, art sessions and providing opportunities for older adults to read to children.
So, what if in an attempt to build multigenerational communities, local churches were to …
Create multigenerational prayer groups whereby a group of senior citizens arrange regular Zoom meetings with young leaders so as to know how, in confidence, they can best to pray for them. This in turn would create multigenerational friendships that helps the elderly feel included, rather than isolated and novice leaders to feel valued.
Institute a ‘Buddy System’ - just as non-swimmers are paired with a swimmer to coach them in the challenges of a new watery environment – young pastors are paired with a mature leader who believes the best for their new found proteges. This multigenerational pairing uses the expertise and experience of the one to stop the other drowning in an uncertain environment.
Organise twice-yearly ‘Guess who’s Coming to Dinner’ events. People decide whether to be guests or hosts and in order to ‘burst the age bubble’ the guest list is generationally mixed.
With the same multigenerational goals in mind Youth Workers could invite members of the older generation to share their stories, young married couples could arrange an evening with an older married couple.
Having witnessed some of the most significant technological, social, spiritual and financial changes of the 20th Century, elderly saints must be given an opportunity ‘tell the next generation about [God’s] power and greatness.’ [x] Their faith and fortitude will undoubtedly inspire others.
Having said that elderly Christians must shake off any apathy rooted in a belief that their day is done. Because maybe, just maybe,
someone is waiting to hear your story.
Although some elderly saints might prefer to go gently into that long good night, the Spiritual Chuck Yeager’s [xi] of this world - although experiencing the pressure to conform to some people’s stereotypical view of old age – are determine to break-through the age barrier. Integral to the building of a multi-generational church these pioneering pensioners are simply looking for an opportunity to use their experience and expertise to further the purposes of God and cheer on the next generation.
PRAYER: May the God of all wisdom grant church leaders the spiritual wherewithal to build multigenerational communities that accept, approve and appreciate the elderly. May God’s grace enable those radical retirees the opportunity to seize the day, for knowing ‘that I am old … I must tell the next generation about your power and greatness.’ [xii]
[i] Baby Boomers – people born between 1946 - 1964 [ii] ‘Do not go gentle into that good night,’ – Poem by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, published 1951 [iii] Psalm 71:9, MSG. [iv] Old Age in Ancient Rome, by Dr. Bill Thomas, www.changing Aging.org [v] ibid [vi] ibid [vii] Numbers 14:24 [viii]‘Breaking the Age Barrier’ by Mary Jacob’s, SilverCentury.org, May 3, 2019 [ix] ibid [x] Psalms 71:18-19 [xi] Chuck Yeager a United States Air Force officer who in 1947 became the first pilot in history to break the Sound Barrier. [xii] Psalms 71:18-19