What do we do now?
In the wake of the July 13 attack on former…
Embracing the zeroes: When age has its privileges — and when it doesn’t
We need to listen to, and learn from, those younger than us.
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Americans devote a lot of air and ink to debating the age of presidential candidates — and how old is too old. Approximate octogenarians dominate the stage in a country that supposedly worships youth. And not just the political stage.
Paul wrote to Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
I know. He includes instructions in the admonition. Regardless, the flipside must certainly be, “Don’t look down on anyone because they are young.”
But we do. And it’s killing us. Young people are leaving, losing heart, losing sight of all they could accomplish for the Lord if we will let them.
I spent my entire career — before I retired and began a new one — on a university campus surrounded in succession by Generation X, the millennials (also known as Generation Y) and Generation Z. And I loved them. And not just the two 30-somethings who bring their clans to have Christmas morning with Mom.
Cheryl Mann Bacon with her son Michael Bacon and daughter Kate Ashby at a Texas Rangers game.
I loved their energy, their quirkiness, their questions, their neuroses. I loved their commitment to each other — and to better health and a better world.
Their priorities challenged me. Their artistry awed me. I like to think they kept me young and open to new ideas. I loved how they embraced Jesus’ love for the least of these. At least a few of them seemed to love me back. And welcome some wisdom and instruction from me as well, a welcome I treasured.
Friends knew I’d object when they complained about some young employee’s flagging enthusiasm or about the pierced and tattooed barista. Or about one who wandered into church, shall we say, casually attired.
Meh. I just loved them. And I learned a lot from them, including how to use “Meh.”
I also remembered that in the 1970s — now that was a weird time to come of age — the Greatest Generation was not thrilled about the baby boomers. And despite the complaints of those before and after us, we turned out all right, too.
Beyond the Starbucks counter and Sunday morning faded jeans, I’ve also seen Christians shake a worried head at the prospect of someone in their late 30s or early 40s becoming a church elder or filling a pulpit previously occupied by someone a generation or two older.
“They’re so young.”
Exactly.
Young, but older than Jesus. Young, but older than the apostles. Young, but older than David or Esther or Mary or . . . well, you get the point. I hope.
Related: What do we do now?
Ageism is not limited to condescending descriptors of those who qualify for AARP cards.
Most of us of a certain age have more or less earned the devotion or derision that comes our way. We’ve had our chance to be noble and wise and worthy of respect. Or not. Years accumulated do not entitle us to disrespect or deride the generations that follow us. Years accumulated are just that — years.
On Aug. 29, I’ll have accumulated 70 of them. Zero birthdays can be a bit jolting. But I’m resolved to do this time what I tried to do at 30, 40, 50 and 60 — embrace it. Like all those other zeroes, 70 brings some privileges, and one of them is expressing opinions on what birthdays may mean.
Are Joe and Donald too old to be president? Yes.
Would it be good for many elderships to rotate in some younger, qualified leaders? Yes.
Can young ministers preach the word in season and out of season, with power and relevance and compassion? Yes. I hear one every Sunday.
A more informed populace would have understood that the Founding Fathers, save Benjamin Franklin, were mostly very young men, an understanding that might have spared us the better part of a decade arguing about two old White guys.
And a more informed fellowship should understand that young people are not “the future of the church,” as we too often say with a wink. They are today’s church. And our willingness to anoint them, encourage them and yes, follow them, is not a failure but a sign that we are not afraid to embrace the zeroes.
Want to celebrate my birthday with me? Take a young person to lunch or coffee. Refrain from sharing your wisdom. Just listen. And let me know what you learn.
Want to celebrate my birthday with me? Take a young person to lunch or coffee. Refrain from sharing your wisdom. Just listen. And let me know what you learn.
CHERYL MANN BACON is a Christian Chronicle contributing editor who served for 20 years as chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Abilene Christian University. Contact [email protected].
