Tomorrow, Saturday 5 November, I turn 65 and I can't believe it, I feel 30. This is what my late father always said, who went to glory when 84, he lived his life in his mind as if he was 30.
Many men have said this, they feel in their heart 30 or around that age bracket, certainly not 65 or 70 or 75 (whatever) .... their bodies may have felt that age, but subtle minds were still active, alert, alive, championing at the bit ....
Ministry does not stop at 65. It's like a second wind. It's as if one game is over, the next, the big one, is about to start.
That first game included one's childhood, the years in education, teenage development with friendships, activities, sport, hobbies followed by career initiation, marriage (partners), the greasy pole, a house, children, grand children.
This period of our lives is the main game (as it were), and then you turn 65. There are all sorts of exciting things happen. You get a seniors card. The pharmacy costs are reduced. The bus and train fares are at an all time low. The medical centre is geared to your new situation. It's all very enthralling as a spectator!
One might even dare to look back a little, and take a good long look at what has been achieved in all those years associated with the 'main game'. Wealth takes a bit of a back seat with this one – what sort of human beings are the children? What sort of a parent was I? What sort of life was it for my spouse? Did I share enough of myself or my time?
As a Christian man, what was my witness to my Saviour Jesus Christ in all these years. What about as a Christian minister, where was the focus, did any mark I leave point to Jesus?
A fresh beginning at home
65 initiates a new fresh start. There is 'the older man' and 'grey wisdom' possibly as a neighbourhood 'grand-dad' to all the kids and young people in the street. A friendly wave, a word of encouragement here and there, an old wrinkly smile that carries with it a sense of security and sage like 'wise' words.
More, your family - the sounding board to the now adult children and even to the grand children. Being there for them. Listening. Offering a comment. The mandatory dad joke. Giving a grand-dad hug. Dipping into the back pocket to help. This is the new role. It's fun and lovely. Yes, and they will go their own home eventually to eat!
Moreover in 2017 the old age pension gets moved to 67, I snuck in by 2 months being born in 1951. I like it!
Ministry too
Ministry does not stop at 65, it's like a spring board to many exciting advantages – like when you speak to someone now they might listen as you're old and considered sage like. You don't have to stand to sing the same verse 25 times.
Much of wisdom the bible says - comes with age - you have experienced a life time of seeing things go-down and you can now recognise the signs. Someone now might take notice. The old guy might know something.
Ministry leadership when you get older brings with it the wisdom to see those who have something very special to offer into the future, and to know which people are great supporters and encouragers – we need both.
There is also a case sometimes to see that it's time to hand over. I did this with the CoolyRocksOn 'Chuch Service' on the June long weekend each year. CoolyRocksOn is the nations largest Rock'n'Roll nostalgia weekend along with vintage cars. 150,000 visitors to Coolangatta for an entire week. It's massive.
The CoolyRocksOn Church Service is held in the big marque on the Sunday morning and its packed. People come from all over Australia to CoolyRocksOn. The only advertising is two lines in the official booklet. The people come in their droves. This year, after the service I handed it over to the Living Temple Church (formerly Tugun Baptist).
The older congregation some years ago handed their entire church to the young people of the Living Temple Baptist congregation (meeting in a hall) and now combined they have three services each Sunday. A congregation from babies to oldies.
So I too have handed over the CoolyRocksOn Church Service to them. And the CoolyRocksOn Church Service is no easy thing to manage – a lot of stress – pray people will turn up, the band, the music, the songs, the message ..... yet it's the most strategic 'secular' Christian thing in town.
Yes, I turn 65 tomorrow and my continuing ministry looks bright, and brighter, and oh yes, before I forget, did I tell you my ministry future looks bright and brighter .....
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html