Think You Are Too Old To Be A Youth Leader?

Does age matter in leadership? Most younger people say no, even young people can lead. Can you be too old to lead though? What about leading youth today? Can you be too old then? How come you almost never see senior citizens leading a junior high youth group? I have. It was awesome. This last weekend at our Winter Blast at Grace Adventures, we had over 10 churches from all across the mid west attend an incredible retreat. The highlight for me was not the speaker or the band (who were great), but an elderly couple who looked very out of place at first. Ed is 77. Ed has Parkinson's disease. He and his wife were the youth group leaders for their church and were attending this retreat with a whole gang of teen and preteen students. As you watched closer though, Ed and his wife weren't out of place at all. These kids loved them. They had a open door into the kids hearts and minds as well. This older couple sang the LOUD songs, played games, and Ed even climbed our climbing wall!!!! What an inspiration. Here's where it gets cool though. Ed and his wife are not only leaders of youth. By setting the example of being willing to serve where ever God would have them, they have inspired and challenged a generation that is largely absent in youth ministry. Listen to Ed's heart as he wrote an e-mail to the Grace staff after the weekend.

Hi Abby Thank Everyone for a great weekend. Our kids really enjoyed it. Nan and I were a little embarrassed by the age thing. I know what pastor was trying to tell the younger leaders, you don't have to use age as an excuse to quit. We don't feel old. I've always told people that age is in the mind and heart until the LORD tells us differently. He may have been trying to tell me something on that wall Sat Night when my right leg wouldn't go the extra three inches. The Parkinson's is only on the right side. We hope to see you next winter good LORD willing and I plan to do some more snow shoeing and training and see if I can get to the top.

Also we don't have a problem with anyone using it (our story) if feasible to try to get more elderly people involved with young people. I know in our case we are often their sanctuary. Many weekend we have kids at the house, we play games, watch movies etc. Were on a small lake so in the summer they all come and swim, fish and of course eat. We can't do things like we use to, but, we can be their for them and we all have so many things to offer and so much to learn from the kids. Example, I've always disliked Rock Music I was talking to my oldest grandson (Jr at Grand Valley) about Christian Rock one day and my dislike of it, as most of the time, the music was so loud you couldn't hear the words to the song. He said Grandpa that's not music it just noise when it's like that, but I know you like music because you rock and bounce to it a lot. So move with the rhythm, but listen to the words as most of them have a good message. SO with that attitude I've come to really enjoy most of it and even clap and rock, but I haven't convinced most others my age to do the same. I guess they just like there rocking chair. Anyway again Thanks for a great weekend. GOD BLESS. Hope to See you Next Year. Ed And Nancy

God Bless you Ed and Nancy, and Rock On!