Put Them Out To Pasture?  It seems that times are changing.  Years ago when a faithful horse became too old for service, it was common to “put him out to pasture” and allow him to live out the final days of life in comfort.  It is more common today, however, to send the old horse to the dog food factory.  There are some in the church that have the attitude that older folks should be put out to pasture.  The generation gap of years ago often appears in the church when a younger person speaks of the senility or age of an elderly brother or sister in Christ.

I think it is time that older persons be shown the same love and respect that was once common in America.  I remember the days when young people would get up and offer a seat as an older person came into the room.  I recall when older persons were offered the food first at the table.  I even remember older people being addressed as “Sir” or “Ma’am.”  It was also once common to see young people wait respectfully and open a door for someone older.

Perhaps it is time to restore respect for age in the church.  With each passing year in America, our elderly population is increasing.  These increasing numbers are needed to fulfill the Lord’s work.  It is very sad at times to hear an older person say that he or she is too old to teach class or serve on a committee.  A Biblical principle which is repeated over and over is that older persons are to teach the younger and to set an example.  Respect for age is also an Old Testament principle.  The wise writer of Proverbs speaks of a hoary head (gray or white hair) as a crown of honor. (Prov 16:31)

We must learn the value of older members in the various ministries of the church!  The younger should appreciate the older.  Mark Twain once said, “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around.  But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished how much he had learned in seven years.”  Some younger church members would also be astonished at how much the elderly know.

Older members should also recognize their worth and give their years of wisdom and experience to benefit the Lord and the church.  As Robert Browning wrote, “Grow old with me!  The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made; our times are in his hand Who saith, ‘A while I planned, youth shows by half; trust God, see all, nor be afraid!’”