Opportunities for Old Academics? Are there any?

I take some sort of course each year, whether accredited or not. It helps to keep the mind alert and working.

Just because we leave the pastorate doesn't mean we leave the heart and mind of a pastor. I look for opportunities.

One example: We had a lad in our commuity die the other night. He was only 53. Hs next door neighbour came over and gave him rescusitation, but it was to no avail. He suffered a massive coronary and not even a doctor would have saved him that night.

I made a point of going to visit the young lady who worked on him that night. See, everyone was focused on the family of the man who died and no one was showing concern for this young lady. I did. Prayed with her and gave her the confidence that she did the right thing and not even a doctor present could help him. It was like a light went off for her. She was comforted.

There are all kinds of ministries that we can do even if we are not preaching or teaching anymore.

I also spend time helping congregations who are going throgh some kind of turmoil. I become the outsider with experience and the mediator in their church.

Hope I never get too old to do these kinds of things.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Too Soon Old/too Late Smart???????

I admit it: I'm old. Sometimes I don't feel old as I still enjoy driving my red CJ5 with the top and doors off, and I still enjoy cradling one of my big rifles in my lounge chair and dreaming of an African or Alaskan adventure which I'll never have as I'll never be able to afford it. I'm old. Maybe too old. Or maybe not!

I guess I'm not too old for God because I finished the doc when I was 65 and am now using it to serve.

Neither am I ,in Christ's righteousness , too big of a sinner to be used despite my turning away from any ministry in 1968 after doing the MA in Theology and wasting nearly 40 years.

So, one only is too old when God says " no. "

 

Since we retired my wife and I have done a lot of volunteer work, both at home and in China and in the Czech Republic. There are lots of opportunities and you meet really neat people.

When I am at home I take one or two classes at the senior center every semester and occasionally a class at a local college.

I always am reading one to three or four books, especially when I am at home. Also I always have books on tape or CD checked out to listen to when I am driving or doing some task around the house.

I play e-mail chess on the Internet.

Gotta keep moving for the body, gotta keep working the brain also.

 

Those who are older have experience and wisdom that younger people do not have.

In the department where I teach the youngest person has over 20 years of experience in the field. It makes a huge difference between those who think they can teach anything and those who have practical experience in the field. We teach students who have varied experiences in the field and varying years of experience. Some of their parents are in the business. Imagine someone trying to teach students who have more experience than they do.

In regards to religious activity: The older should be discipling the younger. It is too often the older who feel as though their days are done and can offer the younger nothing. I think it is largely because they have not been making disciples as the years ticked by.

For years I have always been accountable to an older person. I still have regular contact with a man about 10 years my senior. His family is grown and the children have families of their own. He taught me a lot of things about how to treat my wife and raise children so they are not rebellious and continue to live Christ. I see that what he taught me has worked.