TRASHED or TREASURED?

<p class=ql-align-justify>Fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14-16) in God's image (Genesis 1:29-27) - mankind at any age is respected and valued by his Creator. How we treat the older adult is a reflection of our spiritual life (Leviticus 19:32). Men and women in their old age should not be rejected but rather reconnected and cared for by the family and the church. Assistance should be provided to help the older adult find purpose and a way to serve God until the last breath. From the first breath all in the human race begin a journey that hopefully ends with an abundant entrance into eternal life: crossing a bridge from life's experience to life eternal having lived a life of eternal significance and purpose... leaving a legacy for the coming generations. (See Philippians 3:12-14 2 Peter 1:5-15 and Psalm 71:18.)</p><p class=ql-align-justify><br></p><p class=ql-align-justify>As the church prepares to minister to the wave of aging Boomers who will challenge the resources and programs of the church it seems obvious that we need to develop a clear consistent and practical theology of aging. As one of the deans at Bethel Seminary I realize how important this is for training our emerging leaders. I believe that Chaplain Glenn Havumaki has penned an essential tool to train and prepare the next generation of pastoral leaders. This is a good resource for anyone who leads a church or is training to do so. Dr. Douglas W. Fombelle Dean Emeritus Bethel Seminary.</p><p><br></p>