This past Sunday Logan was out of town speaking at churches in South Carolina in the hopes of finding partners to assist us in our church planting ministry. Since Logan was gone, I had the honor of leading the whole service and preaching. Since I love to preach, this was a great joy. We had a larger than normal crowd, including some first time visitors and a good spirit during the service. I was pretty excited about how things went.
After the service was over, I engaged several of the students in conversation. One of the young men said something to me that made me want to shout with joy, and cry, at the same time. He said, “I like the way this church has two pastors. One who is young and hangs out with us and talks to us by text and stuff and another pastor who is old, but full of wisdom.” I am pretty sure the student meant it as a complement. (I hope!!!!) But, at 46 years of age, I am not sure I like being referred to as “old.” That is the part that made me want to cry. I do not think of myself as “old” at all, but I guess that is all relative. On the other hand, I wanted to shout for joy at the “full of wisdom” part of his comment. It is not so much that I think I actually am full of wisdom, but the fact that this student saw GREAT VALUE in sitting under the teaching of an “old” person who was “full of wisdom.”
In today’s post-modern culture in which young adults watch a ten minute video on YouTube on any given subject and then think they are the authoritative expert on whatever issue the video was about, it is reassuring to know that at least some young adults still see “wisdom” as valuable and as something that “old” people have to offer. If more young people think like this young man does, there may yet be hope for our culture.
NOTE: I share a lot of ideas about how to reach young adults in my book Mission Possible: Reaching the Next Generation through the Small Church.
To young people anyone over 25 is ancient!
ReplyDeleteyep, I am learning that. But I don't feel "old" yet. LOL.
DeleteTerry, this is hilarious, welcome to old age.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andy, glad you found that funny. Wait until someone calls you OLD! LOL.
DeleteVerry good thought, but son think back to when you went to college, how old did you think your own parents were, "old", well 27 years ago I do belive they would have been in your age range and your mother even a few years younger but to you we were "old". So "old" is in the eye of the beholder. My daddy said Wisdom comes from God. I too, thought my parents were old and they were so very young when they went home to be with the Lord at age 54 and 56. You are young yet son, just no longer college age nor a teen. Blessings on you son.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mom. And I think you are looking younger and younger every day. And why did you post as Anonymous, ashamed of my name? LOL.
Deleteno son, it is the only way I know how to respond as I do not have one of the do dads to repsond with and you have not shown me how to respnd and it has to make sure I am not a robot.
DeleteHang in there, Terry. I'm 75, and I still don't feel old in any way . . . well, maybe my body. And, it was only last year that a young pastor told me he looked forward to spending time with me to gain some of my wisdom. I told him I don't know if I had much wisdom, but I certainly had lots of experience.
ReplyDeleteBob, I hope I have your energy when I am 75. God bless.
DeleteGod is using both of you, Logan will need you and you may accomplish much together. Will praying about support and finances. Lived in East Hartford 30 years ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks brother!
DeleteI had a first grader on the bus guess that I was 30 the other day. (Love that kid!) When I thought about it, I realized that to children that young, everyone is old. And not just 'old' but very old. Physically, our bodies may be slowly deteriorating (having Parkinson's is no fun), but we're stilll young at heart. And I prefer a young soul that finds joy in the little, blessed things than turn to bitterness and anger.
ReplyDeleteAmen Roger, Amen!
ReplyDelete