Redd Alert

In our last blog we spoke about the message we send to others.  I said, “that as we lift our heads and our attitudes in a more positive manner, our actions become positive as well.”

During past tough economic times, according to a March 7th article in  Parade Magazine, there was a decrease in volunteering.  However, today there is a compassion boom of people helping others.

An exclusive new Parade Poll of 1008 respondents demonstrate that our nation is in the midst of a volunteering boom. Thus, this blog will deal with how and why so many Americans are working to improve our communities and the world.

*   *   *   *   *

Public service has become more than a phrase or a school requirement in our country.

According to CEO, Patrick Corvington of the Federal Corporation for National and Community Service, public service has now become a way of life.

• Many people who are out of work are now volunteering to stay connected in their communities, as well as, help keep their job skills sharp.

Corvington also explains that 94% respondents believed that it is important to be personally involved in a course that they believe in and 90% said they are working hard to teach their children the importance of activism.

Parents are leading by example.

Parents are leading by example, talking to their children about issues and causes, and urging them to follow role models who are working for positive change.

It seems that compassion counts more than ever.

One of the respondents polled is an attorney who volunteers at an elder-care facility and takes his young daughter with him.  He teaches her that those out of the public view need attention.

What would you do if given a $100,000?

One of the questions asked  the 1008 Americans in the Parade poll was, what would they do if given $100,000 to donate to charity?  I have listed the top ten responses:

1. Food and shelter for the needy
2. Disease research
3. Disaster relief
4. Animal welfare
5. Youth programs
6. Poverty relief/job assistance
7. Education
8. My religious charity
9. Global environment
10. Public health

It seems that a lot of people have been reshaped for service as the “mindset of Christ” becomes the focus instead of our “me” focus.

As we have looked briefly at the why people are becoming involved in more volunteerism, let us now look at the how aspect of the respondents.

Making a difference.

Almost all of the respondents (98%) have engaged in at least one activity to make a difference.

• 91% to the hungry.
• 30% helped organize a fund raising event.
• 32% participated in service projects such as clean up at a local beach, park, or public area.
• 24% volunteers at a soup kitchen or food bank.

What do you think is responsible for this great change in our country today in regard to this boom in volunteering?

In my study I have found it is not what but who.

In today’s population, based upon the Parade Poll, there are three distinct types of Americans who are driving the change in our communities and country.

“Yeppies, Rapid Responders, and The Mission Minded”

Just as this 76 year old was glad to see  how the Boomers changed some of the ways we do church, I am now glad to meet the new groups which are the “Yeppies,” (Young, Engaged Problem Solvers), “Rapid Responders,” and “The Mission Minded.”

• “Yeppies” rely on social media and socializing to fuel their activism and volunteerism.  They have faith that individuals can solve social problems.  They are open to a variety of causes.

• “Rapid Responders” are not out to improve the entire world.  Their focus is more personal as their causes tend to stem from specific problems such as health or a neighborhood issue.  Responders often organize community events to raise awareness or money for the causes.

• “The Mission-Minded” consist of older Americans for the most part who are motivated by their faith.  To them, supporting basic needs like food and shelter is a faith duty.  They feel that the world’s problems can be fixed by faith groups.

There you have it in a few paragraphs, but I assure you, I shall study these groups in my future research.

Next time, we shall look at our diverse population.

Lou

In our last blog we dealt with your personal encounter with our Lord and how the Holy Spirit moves you into a relationship that gives you a positive eternal life guarantee to heaven.

Once we accept that guarantee the Lord expects you to work for Him.

No matter what vocation you have you are expected to be a full-time Christian in that vocation.  The message we send to others around us will determine the effectiveness of your full-time Christian experience.

Words are powerful tools; they can build up or tear down.  You and I can not carelessly say whatever we want and then expect a quick apology to heal all wounds.  Even words spoken in haste can deeply hurt someone.

Of course, not all messages we send are verbal.  Facial expressions and body language can communicate acceptance or rejection, like or dislike, love or hate.

We should also consider whether we are making the most of every opportunity to encourage those around us.  We can be tremendous instruments of God’s blessing to others if we will closely monitor what we communicate.

The apostle Paul instructed believers in Ephesians 4:29 in regard to words.

• “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment so it will give grace to those who hear.”

That does not just mean that we should avoid cursing, but gossiping as well.  What we say should bless others.

Many times we have been victims of the power of words.  Parents, teachers, other authority figures, and friends have encouraged or discouraged us through their words.

• The tongue has influenced nations; Hitler destroyed nations with his lies while Churchill energized England with his words.

How effective we are in living the Christian life also involves involving the examples of Christ-like living and how joyful and appreciative are we in what He has given us in life.

When students in school would ask me if I was rich I would reply,

• “Yes, I have a God who loves me, a Savior that died for me, and Holy Spirit that guides me, a family that loves me, and many church people who are my friends.

If I would react with a negative response, why would anyone want to belong to Christ?

We, of course in living the Christ-like life, need to obey the Christ-like principles as given in His Word, but we need to convey to others how much we really care.

Each person must have a sense of belonging, worthiness, and competency.  When you accept Christ as Lord these three emotions fulfill those basic needs.

1. Through our belonging to God, we feel acceptance.
2. Through the worthiness evident by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we feel loved.
3. Through the competence made possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we feel secure.

Why not speak like, live like, and look like our God has satisfied those basic needs.  Then you can pass on the message to others.

Through a personal relationship with Jesus anyone can find freedom from the negative messages they have endured.

Look for opportunities to build people up by your words and your style of living.  I leave you with the thought of what we should do as we wait upon the Lord:

1. Continue to do what you believe to be the right thing, trusting in the Holy Spirit (John 16:13)
2. Listen for guidance God may be giving you through your pastor or other church leaders.  (Acts 17:11)
3. Pray and seek God’s guidance.  let Him help you think outside the box. (Isaiah 55:8)

Our next get together we shall deal with, “A Positive Side During Economic Troubles.”

Lou

In our last computer get together, suicide was our topic.  I spoke in written form about causes that affect some individuals to choose the suicide path.

You may say, “I have never thought or will never think of being a suicide statistic.” Yet, Dr. David Jeremiah, the pastor of Shadow Mountain Church in California, has noted that many of God’s people have “Giants” in their lives.

In the Old Testament giants were present as the Israelites prepared to enter the promised land. They were actual people that threatened the lives of God’s people.

Later, David faced Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-51)

Today, many of God’s children face several ‘Giants” in their lives that intimidate and do not allow them to have a joyful life in the Lord.

____________________________________________________________________

Let us now take a look at some of these “Giants” that Dr. Jeremiah referenced, they may be one, two or ALL of the following.

* After commenting on Dr. Jeremiah’s “Giants” we shall claim scripture pertaining to each one.

______________________________________________________________________________

These 12 “Giants” invade our lives and seek to destroy the work of God in us.

1. Fear
2. Guilt
3. Doubt
4. Discouragement
5. Temptation
6. Procrastination
7. Loneliness
8. Anger
9. Failure
10. Worry
11. Resentment
12. Jealousy

___________________________________________________________________________

FEAR:

• Fear disregards God’s plan for us; after all His desire for us is that we walk not in fear, but in the power of His love.

• In a way when we live in fear we let it distort Gods purpose for our Life. Fear causes one to not believe God’s promises and could cause one to disobey God’s principles.

How can you overcome fear?  Claim scripture from God’s Word as fear is being disobedient to God.

_________________________________________________________

DISCOURAGEMENT:

• Discouragement is bound to hit us at one or two points in our life.  However, to dwell upon discouragement can cause problems.

• The best way to combat discouragement is to recognize what makes you vulnerable to it.  Then you can keep it at a distance.

• Basically, according to Christian psychologist, Larry Crabb, there are four factors that cause discouragement to be a giant in our life:  Note:  two of these are giants by themselves.

1. 1. Fatigue
   2. Frustration
   3. Failure
   4. Fear

How do you respond to discouragement?  Do as Nehemiah did, cry out to God, continue the work that He has given you to do and concentrate on the big picture.  Claim the encouragement of God’s promises that He is with you.

_____________________________________________________________________

FATIGUE:

• Fatigue is a factor that makes us vulnerable to discouragement.  Sometimes we push ourselves too hard.  Though It is necessary to work hard,  it is also necessary to rest and recuperate.

When we are tired, we have trouble accomplishing our goals.  Therefore, we become discouraged.

____________________________________________________________________________________

FRUSTRATION:

Frustration is a factor that faces us at some time in our lives.

• Nehemiah’s workers in (Nehemiah 4:10)  faced both fatigue and frustration.  They had worked 25 to 30 days without a break and as a result they were tired and their strength was failing.

• In order to finish the wall they were faced with the frustration of moving the prior stones that the Babylonians had left when they tore down the old walls.  However, they persevered  and completed the task at hand.

• If you live your life without purpose or you can not accomplish the task that you have set out to complete, you will become frustrated

You can live life three ways; you can live out, wear out, or burn out.

___________________________________________________________________________________

FAILURE:

Failure is a factor that affects people in various ways.  Failure is not always the issue, it is how you respond to that particular failure.

I truly believed in my playing and coaching sports, that a setback was a setup for a comeback.

___________________________________________________________________________

LONELINESS:

Loneliness is a “giant” that manifest itself in different stages in life.

One thing that is encouraging despite the fact your life may be devoid of human relationships is that God is always with you.

Many of us have passed through one or more of these stages in our lifetime.  It is not a sin to be lonely, but it can be a sin if you indulge in it and allow it to turn to self pity.

Whether you are a lonely single, a lonely spouse, a lonely survivor or a lonely senior citizen, you can be a servant for our Lord with a purpose.

Many lonely servants go to the mission field either as a short-term or long term missionary.

Dr. David Jeremiah has suggested four ways to accept loneliness and how we can escape from loneliness engulfing us by:

• Acknowledging not denying we are alone
• Accepting God’s provision for our loneliness
• Allowing God’s Word to fill our heart and mind
• To activate a network of Christian friends.

____________________________________________________________________________________

WORRY:

• Worry is future focused.  Worry can not change the future nor can it control the future.

In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus said, “Don’t worry” three times.  These are our marching orders for defeating the “giants” of worry.

Jesus was not saying we should not plan or be concerned about things in life that concern us spiritually or morally. He meant do not worry about things over which you have no control that paralyze you and those who depend upon you.

Jesus said to focus on only one thing in life, the Kingdom of God and the values which it stands for. To win over worry, we need to set our priorities.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

GUILT:

David had two “giants’ in his life.  Early in his life he faced Goliath and later, as King David, he had to deal with the “giant” of guilt.  Defeating the guilt in his sin was far more difficult than dealing with Goliath.

Two Psalms – Psalms 32 and 52 give us the story of how David lived with his sin (Psalm 32) and confessed his sin (Psalm 51).

• In Psalm 32 David agonized over his sin while in Psalm 51 he admitted his sin.

• In Psalm 32 David could not even talk to the Lord about his sin nor could he talk to anyone else about it.

Guilt had shut David down into a world of sorrow and silence.  He stayed in that world until God sent Nathan the prophet to confront him.  Then David realized it was time to admit his guilt.

The admission of Psalm 51 is something that all of use need to use as we open our facebook to God.

It is not just for David in his time and situation but also for Lou Redd to admit to my Lord my sin, and accept responsibility for it.

This will allow me to restore the joy and fellowship with my Lord and refocus upon what He has called me to do.

________________________________________________________________________________________

The last one we shall deal with in this time frame is temptation (we shall cover the other six next time).

_______________________________________________________________________________________

TEMPTATION:

The word temptation is exposure to the possibility of doing the wrong thing.  Acting upon that exposure is where sin comes into our life.

There is a good passage that speaks of temptation.  1 Corinthians 10:12-14 speaks of standing firm and the fact that God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

If we resist the Devil, he will leave us.

We need to flee from temptation.  Whatever it is that blocks you from a right fellowship with God, you need to flee from that temptation.

• We all need to resolve to get off the low road of non-commitment and live on God’s high road.
• The high road is not free of temptation, but it provides a route of escape.

_____________________________________________________________________________

I leave you with scripture that may help you to defeat those “giants” that we dealt with in this part 1 of giants.

Fear:  Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, he is the one that goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you.

Fear:  Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation, who shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life, of who shall I be afraid?

Discouragement:  2 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Discouragement:  Psalm 27:14

Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, wait I say on the Lord.

Loneliness:  Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. Though you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

Loneliness:  Matthew 28: 20

Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Worry:  Psalm 55:22

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Worry:  Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Guilt:  Psalm 103:12

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us

Guilt:  Isaiah 43: 25

I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions or my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.

Temptation:  Romans 13:14

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Temptation:  Hebrews 2:18

For in that He himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

______________________________________________________________________________

I wish to thank you for the many kind remarks that you have provided in regard to the blog.

I ask that you to encourage your family, friends and church members to read the material.  If church members and friends would also urge others to read the information, perhaps they would be encouraged as well.

Until the next time, may you have peaceful journeys.

Lou

In the last blog I introduced myself and explained what the Middle and Older Adult ministry would focus upon.  Now I would like to speak to you in regard to why it is necessary for the church to turn their attention to this particular age group. 

Let us begin by looking at the Age Wave in order to catch the middle and older adult awareness. 

The age wave began to break in the mid 1990′s as the first of 76 million U.S. baby boomers turned 50. 

Looking at this ever growing demographic the church needs to, if they have not done so, adopt a new paradigm in reaching older people beyond “happy time travel” and “covered dishes”. 

Church leaders need to recognize and tailor ministry to include;  

1. Middle adults 50 to 70. 
2. Older adults 70 to 80.
3. Mature adults 80 and over. 

Older adults that are in many churches are an untapped resource.  In my case, significant living is very important to me.  Most older adults have a yearning to do something significant with their lives.  May you ask the question, “What has your church done or is planning to do to provide significance in the second half of your older adult lives membership?”

Let me leave you with some facts in regards to middle and older adults: 

1. The number of people over 65 will be greater than people 18 and younger. 
2. They comprise 20% of the population. 
3. 87 million older adults are estimated to be alive by 2040. 
4. At present, if a woman survives to the ag of 65, she can expect to live on the average another 19 years, five which shall be years of dependency. 
5. For men, life expectancy after 65 is approximately 15 years, with three years of dependency. 
6. 34% of all Americans are 50 years of age or older. 
7. Every 7 seconds another person turns 50. 
8. People age 65 number over 35 million, representing one of  eight Americans. 
9. The projection of the “older” Americans is 20% by 2030. 
10. More than 200 Americans reach age 100 each week.

Now that we have become aware of the ministry need for reaching the middle, older, and mature adult population, we shall move to the steps of  how to organize a group in each church.  This will be covered in our next blog.

Lou

The Scope of Older Adult Ministry

Why?

The Great Commission is both timeless and ageless.  Many people have bought into the myth that there is some magical age at which one retires, even from Christian service.  Some churches unintentionally feed this myth.

The generations of older adults have a history of mobilizing to get the job done.  Why would they stop just because they become older?  If anything, becoming older is more of a reason to stay faithful to the mission of “The Great Commission”.  After all it is not the great suggestion.

What?

Older adult ministry must be about developing strategies for involving older adults in making disciples, maturing or growing believers thus multiplying leaders and ministries.

Who?

Older adult ministry should involve all older adults in ministry with, to, and through older adults.  Then ministries will target people of all ages.  As an example older adults may minister to children as they volunteer through a community public library.

How?

Older adult ministries will use the existing structure of the church’s Sunday School or other Bible study groups in order to help other ministry teams.

When?

Anytime, as older adult ministry can not and should not be limited to one event or meeting.

Where?

Anyplace, in the church, down the street, or around the world.

Now that we have answered: Why, What, Who, How, When and Where, what should we anticipate will happen in our churches?  Here is my take on this.

• Churches will see older adults come to know Christ as personal Lord and savior and follow Him in baptism.
• Churches will hear stories of how God has changed the lives of older adults and those to whom they reach and minister.
• Church will see older adult ministry leaders sending out older adults in service, as well as, seeing older adults discovering how they link their giftedness beyond the walls of the church.

Do not throw out what you are doing with that monthly meeting, just give it an enhanced focus.

Lou

Welcome to “Redd Alert”, a Senior Adult Ministry blog site

A little about the author: Lou Redd

“Redd Alert” is a brand new ministry vehicle for me and I want to welcome everyone to this ministry blog.

After Years of teaching school, and working with church youth (RA’s and Baptist Men) the Lord has opened the door and has called me into a full time ministry for middle and older adults (age 50+).

As of February 1, I began working with the Mid-Maryland Baptist Association with Director of Mission’s Joel Rainey, and the Baptist Convention of MD/DE (BCM/D) Missionary Ellen Udovich.

A little about the ministry:

With direction and power from our Lord, we endeavor to minister to the middle and older adult group (Seniors) which make up 40% of our church congregations.  In addition, it is also one of the largest unchurched groups in America.

With those statistics in hand, we desire to;

1. Develop church groups comprised of older Americans that will not only minister to their senior church members but also reach out to the senior community.
2. For each church to transform their older adults into outreach vessels through social and ministry multi-tasking.
3. To be informational.
4. Learn how the Department of Aging, the AARP and other Senior focus groups can provide information.

As you can see the possibilities are endless.

As one person recently asked me, “what is a middle and older adult ministry?”  my answer is that it is a plan for significant living in the second half of one’s life.   One may have had a successful career, but at retirement one wants to continue to do something significant with the rest of his/her life.

In reality it is a time of re-purposing one’s life and how one accomplishes that is dependent upon the church and its staff.

The coordinates of attitude, spiritual growth and Godly habits leads one to strategize a plan to turn aging into significance. The goal of middle and older adult ministry is to move that significance into an action plan of service to others in the church and the community.  The equation,  Aging + Strategy + Action = SIGNIFICANCE in the second half of life.

A few strategic avenues:

Through mission trips one can resist complacency.  Volunteering in your church, hospital, or soup kitchen will focus upon gifts, talents, and resources.  Basically that is what middle and older adult ministry is all about.

God’s word hold the key:

Psalm 73:24

With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory

Isaiah 46:3-4

Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, You who have been borne by Me from birth And have been carried from the womb; Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you, I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you.

1 Timothy 1:12

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.  For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Now that you know a little about “Redd Alert” I welcome any questions or suggestions that you may have.  Please feel free to send them to my email at singergosp@aol.com.

Please come back often, new blog updates will be posted monthly.

Until the next time, many blessings.

Lou