AVIZANDUM: Don't Forget the Elderly

Avizandam. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avise endum Throughout the year, other than the summer months, we hold a monthly Orion concert at Calvary. Entering Calvary Sanctuary, one cannot fail to see all of the pipes of her organ.

although only a few of the 11,499 pipes are visible. We're thankful to God that a member of our congregation, Elizabeth Hildebrand, is our organist. She is also our accompanist for the choir and our worship services. Elizabeth serves with a humble and servant heart, without drawing attention to her considerable. expertise and dedication.

Now, I say all of this not to focus on our organ, but to say that one of the ways the organ is used is to reach out to our community. particularly the elderly who love to come for these organ concerts. At the conclusion of the concert we encourage with a message from the Word of God to those who attend. Then we serve an excellent munch, for all of the attenders and have a kind of programme. I realize to many people this may sound a rather antiquated ministry.

in our contemporary fast moving technological society. But This is one of the ways we reach out to our seniors. Many independent non-denominational churches like Calvary Church. Focus on the younger generation. The music, the programmes, the sermons are designed to attract people in their late teens through their late thirties.

Now, This is all well and good. But in the Church of Jesus Christ, we have to acknowledge that not everyone is in that age group. In a society which largely worships at the throne of youth, we must remind ourselves that the Church of Jesus Christ is multi generational. After all, It is the family of God. In our natural family, there are all ages, grandparents, sometimes even great-grandparents.

parents and children of all ages. On retirement, many of our seniors have resources and time to serve the Lord.

So at Calvary Church we take seriously that our loving God wants us to minister to all ages. While we have a vital and growing next-generation ministry, With hundreds of children and students, we also recognize that we have hundreds of seniors. who are often neglected in our society as they grow older. They may feel discarded, ignored, marginalised, and given the impression that their needs, their voices, their challenges are rather irrelevant. Scripture exhorts us to honour our fathers and mothers.

That commandment still applies. As we get older. On marriage we leave our fathers and mothers. But this does not mean that we ignore our parents. We are to continue to honour them.

in assisted living and nursing homes, Many residents are never visited by their families. The Church of Jesus Christ needs to do better in caring for our sinners. Our older community with their health issues and decreasing physical and mental well-being. are still to be honoured as those made in the image of God. They need to be visited.

cared for, encouraged and loved. What is your relationship with your parents and grandparents? How are the seniors who attend your church treated? Are they honoured? Respected, appreciated.

Befriended older person, Invite them to your home. Visit them in their home. Encourage them. Ask them to tell you their life story.

so that you'll learn from them. and give them high honour. They are made in the image of God. and are an important part of the Church of Jesus Christ. Avazando.

You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.