AN UNTAPPED RESOURCE – ADULTS AGE 55 +

By: Frank E. Fain, PhD

 “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:18 niv

             Almost every congregation deals with the problem of finding enough adults to work with the youth in their church and community. An often untapped source for good ministers with youth is the adults who are age 55 and older in the congregation.

            I know this suggestion runs counter to the commonly held belief that we need “young hip adults who the kids can relate to”. But I believe a case can be made that many young people relate better to older adults. Here are some of my reasons I feel church leaders should consider involving some adults 55+ in youth ministry leadership.

            The “Generational Bridge” – We all know there is often a wide “generation gap” between teenagers and their parents. God knows this too and in his wisdom he provides other adults for young people to relate to. Many young people find it easier to talk with adults from their grandparent’s generation than adults in their parent’s generation or even college age adults. God has gifted many older adults to be the “generational bridge” over the “generational gap”.  Young people need several such “bridges” to successfully navigate their teen years and the church should help provide as many “bridges” as possible.

            The Empathetic Ear – I recently heard a teenager say “My Grandpa is the coolest cause Grandpa REALLY LISTENS to me!” Every teenager is searching for some adult who “Gets it”; someone who listens and hears what they are really saying. One reason adults age 55+ are good “generational bridges” is many of them know how to listen and hear more than words. Young people can sense when their attitudes, feelings, and opinions are important to a caring older adult. They count that adult as a true friend and feel they can really open up to that person.  

            Appreciated and Respected – Although they will seldom admit it, young people do appreciate and respect the wisdom and experience of older adults. They know that no matter how hard life is for today’s teenager; it was a lot tougher being a teenager during the years of the Great Depression, World War II, Korean and Vietnam Wars. We need to realize behind their comments “You don’t understand, it is not like it was when you were growing up” many teens are thinking “And I am glad because I don’t think I could have survived the times you grew up in Grandma.” Successful youth ministries are the ones that involve adults the teenagers respect and appreciate. To find such adults look at the adults age 55 + in the congregation.

            True Love Revealed – As one teen said “You can’t fake true love.” Teenagers know when an adult truly loves and cares for them.  Because of their maturity in years and the Christian faith many adults age 55+ fleshes out I Corinthians 13 for young people. We need to provide intergenerational opportunities so young people to feel this true love and appreciation.

            In the next column I will share some examples of effective intergenerational ministries involving adults age 55 + and today’s youth.

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