Suitable for all ages

July 24, 2006

By Gary Rogers

I grew up the youngest of three children. My dad had nine brothers and sisters. In our extended family I was second to the youngest of all the cousins. When I started school my parents chose to not hold me back a year. With a September birthday, I was the youngest in my class. I was one of the last ones to get my driver’s license, and was one of the youngest freshmen in my college orientation class. In the fire department academy at 22, I was one of the youngest in the class.

When I entered the ministry I was the youngest on staff for 13 years as a youth pastor. When I began my current pastorate at 38, I was one of the youngest adults in the church. Being referred to as “the kid” or “the youngster” was something I had to get used to. I had to prove myself in order to overcome the perception of not having experience or being able to cut it in ministry.

Today things are different. At 51, I’m now the oldest on staff here at the church. I’m the oldest on our deacon board. When I look across the congregation now, there are far more people younger than I am. When I go to the mall or rub shoulders with strangers I observe myself being treated like an older person. When I see my reflection in a window as I pass by I think to myself, Who is that old guy?

With five grandsons who love to play, wrestle and run it isn’t too long into their visit I feel my age. I’ve even used my advancing years as an excuse for not being able to do certain things.

Challenges exist in both areas of age comparison. When you’re young, people look down on you as inexperienced or lacking wisdom. When you’re old, people look down on you as out of touch or used up. The Lord has taught me to value everyone regardless of age.

There are so many wonderful traits in youth. You must love their energy, vitality, enthusiasm and capacity to learn. In the gray-haired years there are valuable traits like wisdom, experience, knowledge, and a tested worldview that give so much to those willing to receive. Value is found in both age groups.

Age comparison is natural and is something all of us deal with, but it should not be a source of walls nor division. It should be a motivation towards respect, acceptance and drawing from each other’s strengths.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, NIV).

“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31, NKJV).

Gary Rogers is senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Coweta, Okla.