ANSWER THE QUERIES OF THE RETIRED
Pastors realize that there truly is such a thing as "spiritual
burnout." This is especially true of people in retirement. The
pastor must use special insights to minister to these
parishioners. He or she must answer the questions that pry on the
elderly mind:
- What can I expect in retirement? There is no reference to
retirement in the Bible. At the age of 140, Abraham was
buying property; Moses was 80 when he led his people out of
Egyptian bondage. Peter and Paul spent the last days of their
lives immobilized - not in a wheelchair but in prison, both
actively directing and encouraging new Christian
congregations. God does not retire people from His service.
He needs us and wants us right up to the moment we are called
to Him.
- Where am I going with my spiritual life? Each person must
determine whether they really know the God they serve or
whether they just know about Him. Views held for a lifetime
might have to change. The blessing of retirement is that
there is time to evaluate, study, and pray. Retirement offers
a schedule that can be filled with care, love, and service to
family, church, and the larger community. Even the homebound
can serve others with notes, phone calls, and prayers.
- How do I cope with my friends dying around me? This is a
defining characteristic of aging. Losses must be grieved,
usually by talking about it to someone who understands and
cares. The church needs to listen, to share their loss, and
help the retiree process his/her situation and move beyond
it.
- Am I too old to change my religious habits? Recent Gallup
polls show that among people who experienced a great
spiritual event in their lives, only 22% did so in
adolescence. Another study of people over 66 showed that 40%
experienced a significant change in their religious faith
after the age of 50. Older people have already experienced
more change than any other age group - they know how to do
it. Change, though, can be buffeted with dialogue and a
gradual imposition of different ways.
- How do I fulfill my need for fellowship? Follow Jesus'
advice, "Let us not give up meeting together...but let us
encourage each other." (Hebrews 10:25) Social isolation needs
to be countered with gatherings of others with things in
common, particularly those who can understand what they are
going through.
- Has God overlooked me in my old age like everybody else has?
No, no, no! But this is a real concern. America is obsessed
by youth and seems to abhor the aged. Many people live in
retirement communities, and they have little contact with the
activities of the world of the younger. It's easy to feel
forgotten. The church can meet this need with
inter-generational activities and an awareness of this
isolation.
- How can I face imminent death? Learning to accept and prepare
for death is a need especially fearsome for the elderly. This
is the time they must know and feel that God is with them,
caring and sharing this experience. "Out of my distress I
call on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. With
the Lord on my side to help me, I do not fear." (Psalm
118:5-6) The church needs to confront these issues
(encouraging wills, funeral plans, etc.) and not shy away
from them.
From A Gospel for the Mature Years by Harold G.
Koenig with Tracy Lamar and Betty Lamar. Copyright
(c) 1997 by the Haworth Pastoral Press, an imprint of
The Haworth Press, Inc., Binghamton, N.Y.,
1-800-895-0582. Used by permission.