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Véraison the Final Flavoring

Preparing People For Retirement

By Ward Tanneberg

By His choice of this spiritual metaphor—the vine—Jesus pointed us toward an incredible third life-stage that is available to every Christian passing through midlife. We must see it ourselves, and then help others see and prepare for it.

There are times in life when one needs a fresh start—turning points on which endings are fixed and new beginnings are fashioned. Few times are more significant than the retirement years.

Today there are three times as many people over 65 as there are college students. And these numbers continue to grow. So do the issues people face when preparing for retirement.

Jesus clearly understood the issues of life when He told His companions, "I am the vine; you are the branches." They threw puzzled looks at one another, glanced at rows of grapevines only recently awakened from winter’s sleep, then hurried after their Leader.

They were totally unaware that in a few short hours life would never be the same for them again. A similar lack of perception exists among those approaching retirement years. Men and women often find themselves emotionally and spiritually unprepared for what is ahead. For them, life will never be the same again.

By His choice of this spiritual metaphor—the vine—Jesus pointed us toward an incredible third life-stage that is available to every Christian passing through midlife. We must see it ourselves, and then help others see and prepare for it.

In the grapevine’s winter season, as much as 90 percent of its growth is cut back and tossed aside, making way for budburst in the spring. Once this budburst has started, the grape berry goes through three growth stages, very similar to that of human life.

THREE STAGES OF GROWTH

Stage One
Hormones are working overtime, making possible the growth and retention of the berry on the bunch. This is the grape’s adolescence, a time for forming and shaping what it will one day become.

Stage Two
Growth and visible change in the grape is slower, but much is happening just the same. The vine’s branches reach out and link together—not unlike our period of courtship, marriage, and family—as the bunch is forming on the vine.

Stage Three
This stage is full of sudden, dramatic change. Vinekeepers call it véraison—the final flavoring. Growth speeds up again in this most crucial period for the grape. Sugars rush to give the grape its sweetness. Color transforms what was mundane yesterday to unexpected beauty today. Véraison is like a miracle. The grape’s entire existence is for this very moment.

The vine and branch demonstrate God’s intention for today’s young (50–64), middle (65–79), and master (80+) seniors to power-walk their way through the 21st century. Jesus has high hopes for this aging generation. Our message needs to reflect this hope, offering a transforming balance to those who have been too preoccupied with simply getting through the day to give serious thought concerning what might be ahead.

PREPARING PEOPLE FOR RETIREMENT

Here are some important things for pastors and church leaders to consider when working with those approaching or already in their retirement years:

1. Find a place for everyone on the team. Both within and outside of the church, today’s older adults are victims of modern values. They are like the skinny kid with glasses standing on the sidelines while teams are picked. His hands are stuffed in his pockets, wanting desperately to be chosen, but certain no one really wants him. Aged people often wind up with that same feeling—that nobody really wants them, even in the church.

The older we get, the less esteemed we become in a world focused on youthful beauty, strength, and accomplishment. People approaching the retirement years often find themselves struggling with matters of dignity and identity. They may feel forced out of society’s mainstream and, to some extent, even the church. Tragically, many fall victim to poverty, inadequate housing and health care, spiritual and emotional malaise. It is important to find a place for everyone on the team.

2. Help your congregation discard common stereotypes of aging. Senility or a lack of intellectual capacity is not inevitable for everyone. One’s retirement ought to be full of meaning and purpose. E. Stanley Jones, prolific writer and great Methodist missionary statesman to India, was working on another book even while he was dying. The book had to be completed by others.

Charles M. Sell, in Transitions Through Adult Life, tells the story of his 83-year-old father who, on his deathbed, was sometimes coherent, sometimes not. Yet, only hours before his death, he made provision for his regular offering to be taken to church the following Sunday. In life’s final moments, he still believed he had something to offer. He left this life with dignity and integrity intact.

3. Help your congregation understand that aging is neither inherently depressing nor automatically wonderful. Old age is not for sissies, but the fact remains—it’s all right to get older; it’s just not all right to get old. Increase the level of your congregation’s awareness regarding this lifestage. Prepare people for its joys and sorrows, disappointments and victories. Discomfort in addressing this subject must be overcome. And don’t relegate it to a small, back room with wheelchair access. It should be discussed when and where most of the church family is present.

4. Make certain older people are not isolated from the larger church fellowship. Through teaching, testimony, and intergenerational contact, any church can change people’s feelings and attitudes toward the elderly and toward growing older.

For many middle and master seniors, the church has always been the center of their lives. It is their primary place for fellowship, service, and worship. It’s where their children were married and grandchildren were dedicated. It’s where they said goodbye to some of their friends. Yet today’s worship expression in your church may lack a sense of connectedness with your older constituents.

Next Sunday, notice how many of your over-50 worshipers appear to be disengaged during the song service. The boomer, just now heading into his or her 50s, may be slightly better equipped, with one foot in traditional hymnody and another in the newer worship styles. Yet even younger seniors (a word that may cause them to tear up their invitation to AARP) are ill-prepared for the transitions in life that lie ahead.

5. Provide older adults answers to basic questions on life and death. Even after a long absence from church, men and women age 50 plus who had some earlier religious training or experience are ripe for evangelization at this later lifestage. Older people often see themselves as more religious now. They may be more open to the gospel than we have been led to believe, even though they may not be open to changing their religious heritage. They are very much into relationship and authenticity, sensing the need for people who genuinely care and a faith that transcends mere form, providing assurance that God really does love them. If you do this, you may win them.

6. Help senior adults see that second career choices and opportunities for Christian service are genuine possibilities. A 53-year-old single parent in our church, with some assistance from our Single Parent Education Fund, is completing her college education.

On a Sunday over lunch, several young and middle-age seniors will participate in a Finishers Forum with men and women a few years older who have made career changes leading into Christian service and humanitarian ventures. They will dialogue with people whom the Lord has guided through significant life and career transitions into the most exciting part of their journeys thus far.

7. Teach people to risk intelligently. Moving from one’s longtime home or changing one’s vocation can be extremely stressful. Provide opportunity for people to dialogue with those who have done that. Encourage retirees to consider new opportunities carefully, to test the waters before plunging in. The world and the church are opening up to both long- and short-term volunteerism in ways not seen before. Encourage people to take time to find out what is right for them.

8. Teach people that disease or disability do not devalue human life. Value and productivity are often viewed synonymously in our culture. A sense that we are declining in position, power, place, or productivity—in vocation or church—can be discouraging. Spiritual struggles arise, faith problems, fear of death, eternal insecurity, all requiring studies in God’s Word to reassure in the face of spiritual uncertainties. Make certain the opportunities for fueling spiritual life are there.

We are entering véraison—Stage 3. The final flavoring. There is no turning back. It is time for life’s greatest and most mysterious adventure. Are you helping your adults prepare for it?

Ward Tanneberg, Ph.D., serves as pastor of encouragement and executive pastor of ministries at Westminster Chapel, Bellevue, Washington. He is the author of five books and speaks regularly at conferences, retreats, seminars, and churches.