Hi all,
The concept of retirement in the West and particularly in the church is
due
for serious review and reform. Sure, it's fun to save some coins and to
look
forward to the gold watch but that event should only open up more time and
op****tunities to serve the saints and the lost, too.
What if the scriptural term "elder" really was to be taken literally and
the
older ones in the church were actually ordained to perform the shepherding
function? I believe they are indeed appointed to such a work. They,
without
exception, are also ordained to manifest the character requirements
becoming
of a Christian mentor, teacher, friend, and guide. None of these things is
beyond the man who will simply apply to God to receive them. None require
certificates, callings, or outside training.
Interestingly, in several quarters of the Body, "Titus 2" clubs are being
formed which emphasize how older women are to train the younger females.
Good. But it is high time for the concept of older men training the
younger
men to be recognized, encouraged, and practiced, as well.
In the institutional church world, too many "pastoral search teams" are
looking for the energetic, young guy to be their new CEO or "Senior
Pastor."
The problem with that is that ALL Christian seniors are already appointed
by
their Maker to serve as pastors. But let's not be too judgmental - many
house
churches don't know much better.
I'm just noticing today that all but one of our Supreme Court Justices is
over 65 years of age and still busy. (A little too busy, if you ask me.)
Could not the church learn a lesson from them instead of continually
putting
her seniors "out to pasture?" Programming them to be essentially useless
"laymen" - then regarding them as such. Failing to tap into their
experience,
their wisdom. And failing to teach the younger men in the church - every
one
of them - that they will assuredly be the elders of tomorrow.
Could we not learn something from the radio ads I hear each day featuring
our
Secretary of State Colin Powell as he promotes his non-profit
organization,
americaspromise.org? Seeking to get everyone involved, he boldly declares:
"Whether they are our children or not - we are all parents." Furthermore,
he
proclaims that the problems with youth are far less in magnitude than
those
of the careless and uncaring generation of older ones who have seemingly
lost
all interest in the next generation.
Zane Anderson
1 Peter 5:1-2 The elders (not an office) which are among you I exhort, who
am
also an elder...: Feed the flock of God (shepherding/pastoring in a caring
and unofficial manner) which is among you...
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger (also not an office), submit yourselves
unto
the elder (same word as above, contrasted with younger ones as it
frequently
is in the NT).
PS: Are you looking for a detailed book which exposes the great elder****p
identity cover-up? "The Elders, Seniority within Earliest Christianity" R.
Alastair Campbell, T.T Clark 1994. It's a high dollar book (50-70 dollars
US)
but could be obtained via Library Loan. How about a book that highlights
the
equality of all elders who serve the church as a team, without rank?
"Biblical Elder****p" by Alexander Strauch. 1988.
|
