The incoming tide in church growth seminars and articles circulating seem to be insinuating that the older generation needs to throw in the towel and move aside for the younger. The words not relevant, out of date, and even old fashion seem to be push buttons in the realm of the “Church Growth World”.

Many older individuals feel their being moved out as if it’s over for them. Possibly, like the 77-year-old Mississippi man who supposedly was dead, but comes back to life in a claustrophobic body bag! That’s scary to say the least. And I can’t even begin to think what the funeral home worker must have thought when the body in the bag began to thrash around as he was moving it to the embalming room. Doctors, County Coroner and family were thinking they were going to bury this man, but God evidently wasn’t finished with him yet.

Don’t pack my office and spend your inheritance quite yet. I am still here!  (tweet)

I myself might be getting slower and at times maybe even get in a rut, but the reality is that I’m just now figuring things out. I have gone from being a cool and almost crazy youth pastor who thought I knew everything, to becoming a little older with less hair and a little more weight, but definitely a lot more knowledge and wisdom.

Most of my close colleagues seem to be saying the same thing. We spend much of our years doing what someone else has told us to do, such as, professors, board members and disgruntle church people, who have never actually done it themselves. Then, on top of that we stumble through our own mistakes to finally reach our prime in life only for those same people to say, “it’s time to get out of the way for the younger generation”!

I know there are some outstanding young ministers around that have some amazing churches and ministries. I’m totally for them and possibly their biggest cheerleader. Yes they are probably more relevant and cooler then I am, but please don’t put me out to pasture. I might be old but I’ am not dead!

Sinking to the depths of misery I cried out in prayer… “God, are you done with me?” Then out of that dark pit of despair came from heaven a loving reminder of so many “giants of faith” in the scripture! Moses who just started to accomplish God’s calling at eighty years and lets not leave out Caleb who still had a fight in him at that same age. How about John on the island of Patmos and Daniel when they received their visitations and encounters from God? Can you say really old? Even Paul lived a long and incredibly productive life impacting generations down through history.

I totally understand mentoring and raising up the next generation, but “whoa Nellie”! I am not dead! Don’t pack my office and spend your inheritance quite yet.

Please don’t put me out to pasture. I might be old but I’ am not dead   (tweet)

I actually believe I might have finally gotten to a place in my life where I can be more effective. I am more relaxed, more confident and not so influenced by every bandwagon that comes down the pike. I think I will stay around for a bit longer and not let my society go down the drain just because there are some trying to be more like the world inside the church. I have decided a little gray in my hair looks good and who really cares if I can’t fit into skinny jeans anyway?