The Open Door

Sunday, July 18 is Senior Adult Sunday in Georgia Baptist churches across our state. As we celebrate Senior Adult Sunday in Georgia Baptist life, we are mindful of the outstanding ministry that is taking place through Baptist Village Retirement Communities and the Georgia Baptist Retirement Communities. You have an opportunity on this very special Sunday to give a special offering in support of these outstanding ministries to seniors in Georgia Baptist life.

I am reminded that in Psalm 71, verse 9, the Psalmist said, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age: do not forsake me when my strength fails.” The senior years should be a special time of honor and recognition of those who have given their lives so faithfully in Kingdom’s service over the years. In the Georgia Baptist Convention, we certainly want to be faithful to honor those who have been faithful to the Lord over their many years of life and service. We remember that in the Scriptures that the elders sat by the gates and gave wisdom to the young. We remember that in Proverbs 16:31 it declares that “a gray head is a crown of glory, it is found in the way of righteousness”(NASB). In Isaiah 46:4 (NASB) God speaks to his people: “Even in your old age, I shall be the same, and even in your graying years I shall bear you! I have done it, and I shall carry you; and I shall bear you, and I shall deliver you.”

We should all be aware that the ministry to seniors is a growing ministry in the Georgia Baptist Convention and it deserves our interest and our support. Are you aware that:

* Nearly 10 percent of the population of Georgia is over 65. That is 813,652 out of 8,560,310.

* The aging of our population is one of the most significant trends affecting our society today.

* Georgia’s population aged 60 and over is expected to increase 75.8% between 1990 and 2010.

* Those 75 and older are by far the fastest growing age group; they will increase by 105.3% by 2010.

In the years to come, Georgia Baptists will need to be faithful in developing new opportunities for the ministry and care of seniors in our state. Why should we do it? Because it is the right thing to do! In the Ten Commandments, God directs that we are to honor our father and mother. This commandment was directed to the children of Israel in reference to their aging parents and the need to care for them properly. An Old Testament scholar shared with me one time that often when we think of this commandment we think of little children honoring their mother and father, but the commandment was actually in relationship to the responsibility of adult children to care for their aging parents. Literally, God directs that we are to care for our seniors, to encourage them and to respect them.

On Senior Adult Day in your church, I encourage you to receive a generous offering for this wonderful ministry in Georgia Baptist life. Also, I encourage you to embrace a senior adult with love and respect. For the senior, this will be a great source of encouragement. Tell them how much you love them and appreciate the many contributions that they have made to your life over the years.