Aging Spiritually: Caring for People
—
Ten years ago, Scott Boulevard Baptist Church faced the hard situation of being a smaller, older congregation with an old building in need of expensive repairs. The congregation made a decision that continues to make a difference in the Kingdom of God. The members of SBBC chose to stop caring for property in order to care for people. We took the road less travelled, and as Robert Frost wrote, “it has made all the difference.”
Some 15 or so years prior to that decision, SBBC was a thriving mid-sized church with attendance in the mid-100s. But within a few years, there was a financial crisis, the pastor moved to another church, and several young families chose to leave.
The anxiety was high as the church was focused on survival. They wanted to bring back the days of the past when the pews were filled. But 1970 was not coming back. Their attitude was desperate in 2007 when they called this fresh seminary graduate as Interim Pastor.
On my first day in the office I was told, “Don’t get too comfortable. We only have enough money to last 4 months.” Another member asked me, “Why can’t we get any new members? What is wrong with us? I feel like we have failed.” But, the Spirit of God was working within this church to bring a transformation to something more meaningful than just keeping the church open.
By 2012 there were about 40 people attending, most of them older than 70. I met with the leaders of the church to discuss the future of the church. When the people of SBBC chose to sell our building, we thought our ministry was finished.
One question kept rising to our attention, “Who will care for our homebound?” It was a question that drew our attention away from ourselves and the church organization, and turned it outward toward those who could no longer attend. In the end, we chose to let go of the building in order to care for people.
God gave us a new vision of ministry. As we began to do this ministry, we found meaning and purpose in caring for people. It was God’s gift to us – the gift of ministry. This gift of ministry began to lift the spirits of all who were involved, enabling us to be the presence of Christ in the lives of older adults. As the people of the church began to serve others, they were encouraged and hopeful.
Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works in and through all things in life for the good of those who love God. When we turned our attention and energies away from caring for an old building to caring for older people, the attitude and spirit of the congregation changed.
We began to have more energy and purpose. Our worship became more encouraging and hopeful. Our ministry was more inspiring to us and to others. Our church felt more alive again!
We were blessed with a special calling to ministry with older adults. God worked in and through us to make a difference in the lives of people. We found blessing as we turned toward caring for people.
John 21 tells a wonderful story of how a disciple of Jesus found meaning and purpose in his life through the gift of ministry. Peter had denied Jesus three times the night Jesus was captured and must have felt like a failure. Jesus looked at him gently, and told him three times to care for people. “Feed my lambs. . .Tend my sheep. . . Feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Peter found purpose for his life through caring for people.
Do you need to find purpose and meaning for your life? Who needs your care? Who do you know who needs you to make a call, send a note, or go to their home for a visit?
When you chose to let go of worrying about things and start caring for people, you will find the purpose and meaning you seek in your life.
-Greg Smith
Practice
Each morning list two names of people who would be encouraged by a contact from you. First, pray for each of them. Pray for their needs, for their hurts and hopes, for their grief and suffering. Second, contact them. Send a card, make a phone call, or drop by for a visit. After each contact, thank God that you have been blessed to offer care to someone else.
Greg Smith
Legacy Ministry for Older Adults