Is ageing, something to be feared?
As our physical bodies become less agile and our hearing and eye sight less clear, is it okay to feel regret?
What does the Bible say about old age?
And how as a church do we act counter-culturally and affirm the aged?
We live in an ageing society. By 2050, it is calculated that there will be over 12 million people aged over 70, that’s 1 in 5 of the whole population. Yet our society dreads old age and considers ageing as something to defy or to disguise.
However, the Bible sees things differently. According to Proverbs 16 v31: ‘Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained by a righteous life.’ Indeed, many of the great heroes of the Bible were well advanced in years. Moses was 80 years old when he and Aaron first went before Pharaoh to
demand that he let God’s people go free. Abraham was 99 when God promised him Isaac. Anna was at least 84 when she saw baby Jesus in the temple and told everyone about him. Age is no bar to great fruitfulness and service for our Lord.
Yet ageing does have its limitations. Dementia affects one in five 80 year olds; blindness one in four; and hearing loss one in three. As a church we are called to serve and care for older people in our church family and in our wider community.
On Saturday 18 February Roger Hitchings will lead a morning seminar at All Saints on this subject. The morning will start at 9.15am for 9.30am and finish at 1pm. Roger is a Trustee of Pilgrim Homes and a pastor in the Midlands. He was formerly a Director of Age Concern and has co- authored the inspiring A Crown of Splendour
book ‘Could it Be Dementia?’. To book your free place at the seminar call the Church Office on 482405.
Let’s be counter-cultural in our attitude towards ageing. Let’s cherish each moment of life the Lord gives us to serve Him, for His glory.
Sarah Jones
As our physical bodies become less agile and our hearing and eye sight less clear, is it okay to feel regret?
What does the Bible say about old age?
And how as a church do we act counter-culturally and affirm the aged?
We live in an ageing society. By 2050, it is calculated that there will be over 12 million people aged over 70, that’s 1 in 5 of the whole population. Yet our society dreads old age and considers ageing as something to defy or to disguise.
However, the Bible sees things differently. According to Proverbs 16 v31: ‘Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained by a righteous life.’ Indeed, many of the great heroes of the Bible were well advanced in years. Moses was 80 years old when he and Aaron first went before Pharaoh to
demand that he let God’s people go free. Abraham was 99 when God promised him Isaac. Anna was at least 84 when she saw baby Jesus in the temple and told everyone about him. Age is no bar to great fruitfulness and service for our Lord.
Yet ageing does have its limitations. Dementia affects one in five 80 year olds; blindness one in four; and hearing loss one in three. As a church we are called to serve and care for older people in our church family and in our wider community.
On Saturday 18 February Roger Hitchings will lead a morning seminar at All Saints on this subject. The morning will start at 9.15am for 9.30am and finish at 1pm. Roger is a Trustee of Pilgrim Homes and a pastor in the Midlands. He was formerly a Director of Age Concern and has co- authored the inspiring A Crown of Splendour
book ‘Could it Be Dementia?’. To book your free place at the seminar call the Church Office on 482405.
Let’s be counter-cultural in our attitude towards ageing. Let’s cherish each moment of life the Lord gives us to serve Him, for His glory.
Sarah Jones
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