B60B
Mighty challenges ahead As we hand on batons of leadership, government and ministry to a new generation, how can we best strengthen and bless them? What is our legacy; not just in material terms, but also our experience, faith in God’s Word, spiritual wisdom and Christ-like love? Let us thank God for the riches He has granted to us, and pray about how we can pass them on to others. Strictly of course, we never ‘retire’ from following Jesus Christ even if physically we’re not able to do what we once did. I thank God for the older people whose example and wise words have had a life-changing effect on me, and believe it is vital to express our gratitude to older Christians who have had an impact on us, and to urge them to keep on going. I have discovered that as time goes by we need more and more affirmation! Is there someone you could contact today to encourage or, again, to simply say ‘thank you’? May He speak afresh to all our hearts about how we might contribute to the building of God’s Kingdom in the years still left to us. Those of us in the ‘third age’ or nearing it do have a crucial part to play - I am convinced of it. The Body of Christ needs the ministry of older people: in prayer, mentoring, sharing wisdom, giving practical service and spiritual leadership. Let’s each believe and pray like Caleb to ‘give me this mountain!’
September 2014
Lyndon Bowring
We are deeply grateful for every expression of your support and ongoing encouragement to us at CARE. May we all increasingly know God’s power made perfect in our own weakness whatever our age, as we continue to serve Him as He leads us in coming days.
Third Age
Thank you again, Yours in His grace,
Over the past five years, Nola, Celia, myself and the CARE team have visited over 70 towns and cities throughout the UK, meeting with local church leaders and CARE supporters. I cannot tell you how inspiring it has been for us to talk to long-standing supporters and make new friends for CARE! If you have been able to join us, thank you again for your support. We look forward to meeting more of you in the coming season.
Lyndon Bowring
We realise that a significant proportion of our long standing supporters are in their ‘third age’ – either semi or fully retired – many with so much to offer, prayerfully, practically and financially. This letter is therefore primarily addressed to you in the ‘third’ or ‘fourth’ age – who might be needing some extra support. We thank God for all you seek to do for Him. Statistics indicate that the over-65s donate twice as much to charity as the rest of the UK population so thank you again for your ongoing financial support. If you are younger, maybe ‘third age’ seems a long way off, but believe me it will come around like lightening! Dr Billy Graham said recently, ‘the older I get the faster time flies!’ I’ve yet to enter my ‘third age’ although I’m almost there. Many people are still working full or part time in their ‘third’ age and, God willing, both Nola Leach, CARE’s Chief Executive, and I plan to do just that! PSALMS 71:17-19 says:
Care
53 Romney Street London SW1P 3RF
T 020 7233 0455 E mail@care.org.uk @careorguk facebook.com/careorguk www.care.org.uk
Executive Chairman: Rev Lyndon Bowring Chief Executive: Nola Leach Care is a registered charity: Charity No:1066963 Scottish Charity No: SC038911 Company limited by Guarantee No. 3481417
‘O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and grey, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.’
Give me this mountain We long to see the younger generation experiencing the power of our faithful and miraculous God, and I believe those in the ‘third and fourth age’ who still maintain a passion for Christ, will encourage this by connecting closely to them. We can all benefit from the wisdom, experience and knowledge of both the living and the departed; the writer of the Hebrews speaks of a person who, ‘...through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.’ Let’s challenge each other to ‘keep going’!
Give me this mountain! CARE has been in existence for over forty years. The future is filled with challenges as our culture changes with such rapidity. It is so right to invest time, energy and resources to equip young people to serve their generation, and that’s why we have appointed Christine, a new member of staff with great expertise and a passion to communicate CARE’s vision and ministry to a younger age group. We thank God for the tremendous impact of CARE’s Leadership Programme. Over 250 graduates have come through the Programme and many are involved in strategic and influential roles throughout our nation and beyond. But as we continue to equip and inspire young Christians to make a difference through gospel proclamation, social and political engagement and prayer, we will not forget the significant contribution older people can make, with their diverse experiences and important memories. For the first time in our nation’s history, over-65-year-olds now outnumber the under-16s. That’s why this month we are exploring ways to encourage and help those in this later stage of life, and facilitate church leaders to mobilise more Christian older people into active service. Please pray about this and share with us ideas you might have. These years can hold fresh opportunities. After all, Caleb was eighty-five when he asked Joshua for his promised inheritance! ‘Lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. And yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain.’
Graduates in the Leadership Programme 2014-15
I love Graham Kendrick’s inspiring new song based on Caleb’s experience, which you can listen to on YouTube. If you are not in a position to use the internet in this way do ask someone to help you – it will be worth the effort and perhaps you could introduce it to whoever helps to lead worship in your church!
[refrain]
We have walked the wilderness And have proved your faithfulness And known your presence And some have stumbled on the way By grace alone we’re here today Here in your presence.
Give me this mountain I will not be turning back Give me this mountain For your glory Give me this mountain Jesus’ blood has overcome So I’m not quitting till it’s done.
The race is not yet run And battles to be won But in your strength I’m strong Though giants bar the way Our God is strong to save You made me bold to say.
In your name we rise and go On to victory if we know That you are with us With angel armies all around Till on the mountaintop we stand All praising Jesus.
Graham Kendrick © 2012 Make Way Music. www.grahamkendrick.co.uk
CARE has been working with the esteemed Christian Peer Lord McColl over many years. At 81, this modern day Caleb has laboured tirelessly to bring legislation before Parliament to protect and care for victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation – particularly children. Former Professor Surgery at Guys Hospital, he continues to teach there and serves on the Mercy Ships, of which he is Chairman. He is an incredible inspiration to us and we thank God for him. Lord McColl’s efforts on behalf of the victims of trafficking have been a major factor in Home Secretary Theresa May’s introduction of the Modern Slavery Bill this year.
The Church and our older population Third-agers of this current generation are actually pioneers because so many are living longer and more active lives. Life expectancy is on average ten years longer than it was in 1964 – although of course hundreds of thousands of people are not able to enjoy good health and independence as they enter their ‘fourth age’. Looking after the growing numbers of older frail people and those with disabilities is one of the greatest challenges facing our society; they do not always receive the respect and care they deserve. This is why CARE opposes every effort to legalise assisted suicide and we continue to work hard alongside Peers and MPs on this issue. Allowing this for a few individual cases could quite quickly lead to a ‘slippery slope’ of full-blown euthanasia, putting those who are the most vulnerable at risk. The ‘right to die’ would for many inevitably become a ‘duty to die’. Lord Falconer’s 2012 Commission on Assisted Dying could not agree on whether to extend the ‘assisted dying’ option to those with disabilities, concluding that, ‘We do not consider that it would be acceptable to society at this point in time to recommend that a non-terminally ill person with significant physical impairment should be made eligible.’ This clearly implies that at a future time it might indeed become acceptable! I believe local churches are in the best place to be a crucial part of the answer, fulfilling Christ’s command to love one another, especially those in greatest need of help.