For young people ministering to people who are older than them, 1 Timothy 4:12 has become a life verse: "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
I was once asked to speak at a small conference for pastors, many of whom were 40-years old and above. I will admit that my first thought was "What can a 25-year-old newly appointed church leader share to a group of seasoned pastors who were almost twice my age?"
Of course I knew what 1 Timothy 4:12 said, and I always have, but I will admit that until that point, I never understood how that really worked.
Anyone who's been in the same situation will often feel unqualified when ministering to older people. Sometimes we believe that our lack of experience can be a hindrance because we feel that we don't have adequate advice that can minister to someone.
However, the very flaw, though not very obvious, sits right in front of us as we minister. The battle that many young ministers face is in the belief that ministering to people is about giving good advice and telling them what they should do. This is a huge ministry blunder because we are not called to minister with good advice, but with good news.
What is the good news? It's none other than the gospel. Here are some thoughts to reflect on when it comes to ministering to older men and women in church.
We minister Christ's finished work, not good works
Ministry is not about telling people about what they should do to grow in their walk with God, their marriages or in any other area of their life. It's about ministering to them the finished work of Jesus Christ, and telling them that no measure of sin, trial and temptation can separate them from the love of Christ. People don't forget what to do, they forget most easily what Christ has already done.
We minister God's experience, not our experience
I currently handle a men's group of people who are 35-years old and above. The things that they go through, I have never even encountered before. So when these men come to me with issues that I don't have answers to, I humbly tell them that I do not know, but God does.
The point of ministry is not to point people to right living, but to point people to living with God. We can do so by teaching people how to love God's Word, depend on His Spirit and rely on His power to bring us through trials.
Are you ministering to someone older than you? Have you pointed the person to Christ and not to good works?
