I want to begin this article by talking about my grandparents, only they weren’t my grandparents.
Let me explain…
Buster and Addie Rodgers attended Huntsville Park Baptist Church where my family went to church when we first moved to Huntsville. My parents met them in late 1961 or early 1962 and we’ve been part of each others' families ever since.
You see, Addie and Buster were mentors of my parents. No one used the word then, but that was their role. As a result of their relationship with my parents, I became their grandchild. I belonged to them and they belonged to me. No one ever said that. It was just assumed over a period of years.
- They loved me without condition
- They held me accountable to high standards
- They taught me Scripture
- They were some of the first people to name my calling.
From my earliest memories, Addie and Buster were part of my life. When Addie passed away a few years ago, I did her funeral. When I asked Buster what he wanted me to say, he simply said…
“You loved her. You knew her as well as anyone. You’ll know what to say.”
I did. I just didn’t know if those in attendance would give me the time to say everything I wanted to say.
If you come into my office, you’ll see a small replica statue of Michelangelo’s “Moses.” It was in their home when I grew up and I loved that statue. When they down sized, they gave me the statue
Here’s my point..
For too long, we’ve allowed the generations to remain separate in our churches. Senior adults are on one end of the church and young adults are on the other. Each side complains about the other’s music or the way they dress… but what doesn’t happen in this? The two groups never talk to each other
Here’s what we’ve found out..
Young adults crave time with senior adults. Whenever we are successful in pulling the two generations together, both are surprised to find they love it
So, here’s what I’m suggesting…mix it up.
Mix up Sunday School classes, prayer meetings and fellowship times. Make sure there’s always a moment where someone with experience and wisdom has a chance to pass it on. Your church will be deeper and richer every time it happens
If you’re a senior adult, find a young couple or young single adult. If you’re a young couple or a young single, adopt a senior adult. The church is the family of God. Everybody belongs and everybody needs everyone else. That’s the way family is—we’re all loved. We’re all needed and we all belong together
No, you can’t choose your family. Your family was chosen for you, just as you were chosen for them… all beloved and chosen in the grace of God that knows no limits.
