The Church must stop ignoring older people

For hundreds of years, lighthouses around the UK’s beautiful coastline have been guiding ships to safe harbour. Sweeping a powerful light across great distances, their 360-degree rotating beams function as beacons, guiding ships from all approaching directions.

But what would happen if that mechanism were to get stuck, and the light only beamed in one direction? It would become a spotlight, not a lighthouse. And that would cause confusion and danger.

I have a holy discontent. A profound sense of unease. It all began with a vision I had while worshipping at a Christian conference. I saw an enormous spotlight stood in the centre of our population, casting a powerful guiding light in one direction – towards Jesus. The people being guided by this light were young people, walking towards Him in great numbers.

In the shadow of the spotlight, I saw multitudes of older people, walking slowly in the opposite direction, with nobody noticing or stopping them. There was almost no guiding light for them.

This vision kept me awake for most of that night and has continued to disturb my spirit ever since.

On the one hand, I am in awe and rejoice at what God is doing among gen Z and gen Alpha. But on the other hand, many churches have focused their missional strategy, resources and people power almost solely on children and young adults.

Many in the generation closest to death are quietly making their way to an eternal fate that we wouldn’t wish on our worst enemies. It’s the silent departure.

If the Church is really passionate about saving souls, it needs to act like a lighthouse again.

Many in the generation closest to death are quietly making their way to an eternal fate that we wouldn’t wish on our worst enemies

Today, there are more people aged 65 and over than there are aged five and under. Furthermore, the proportion of over 65-year-olds with no religious affiliation is on the rise.

If the harvest is plentiful among the young, it is super abundant among the old – and the gospel urgently needs to reach them too, before it’s too late.

Many carry deep wounds from a lifetime of hurts, bereavements, fractured relationships and even disappointment with church. Many are hungry for meaning, hope and companionship. Can the Church be a lighthouse for them and guide them to the solid ground of God’s loving family; to belong, find purpose and know Jesus?

I think it can.

If we’re serious about reaching older people with the love and hope of Jesus, we must become intentional. Appointing dedicated seniors’ pastors who can lead this mission in our churches would be a strong start. Making sure older people are represented on our church leadership, evangelism and strategic planning teams will also help us stay in step with the realities and needs of later life. And from the pulpit, we must be mindful to preach that God has a purpose and calling for every generation, right to the end.

The Church is called to be a lighthouse for all generations, not a spotlight fixed on a few. If we truly want to see the UK ablaze with the glory of God, we must release the stuck mechanism, let the light sweep over the whole horizon again, and bring everyone safely home.