You’re probably reading this because members of your flock are aging. They need shepherding, but you’re not exactly sure how to proceed. After all, you may be young enough to be their child—or their grandchild!
This has been the situation in the church I’ve pastored for the last 10 years. Thankfully, Scripture is profitable for teaching us how to shepherd our senior sheep. When old Paul wrote to young Timothy about how the church should behave, embedded in his instruction were principles for engaging older members (1 Tim. 3:15; 5:1ff).
PRINCIPLES FOR SENIORS MINISTRY
It’s possible for any ministry of the church to lose its way and become a silo, especially the senior saints’ ministry. They have faithfully served for years and outlasted many pastors, so messing with their ministry might feel like raising your hand against the Lord’s anointed. They might even start raising cane!
Yet many elderly church members are sincerely open to the next generation of servant leaders. So, take courage. Especially in a church that has more grayheads than towheads, it’s necessary not only to plan for the church’s future but also not to neglect the ones who maintained it long before you got there—even if you introduce
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