In the marketplace today, there are many books available that purport to help adults learn what it means to age "successfully." At least two authors suggest that "successful aging" means: avoidance of disease and disability, maintenance of cognitive and physical function, and sustained engagement with life (Successful Aging by John Rowe and Robert Kahn. Random House, 1998). These suggestions are valuable and can be tremendously helpful if one is talking about "successful aging." But as Christians, are we necessarily talking about "successful" aging? Or do we mean something else?

Of course no one really sets out to "fail" in aging. We are part of a society that promotes success over failure. Yet we live in an age-denying, age-defying culture. In addition, throughout our lives, we are taught in countless ways by our society that our worth is determined by our productivity. As aresult, many people during their retirement years keep busy just so they can continue to feel productive, so their life has meaning and purpose. Whether it really does or not, is another question.

I believe the church is called to provide a different understanding of aging. The church is not about helping people age "successfully," but rather helping people age "faithfully." The role of the church in making disciples of Jesus Christ is precisely this: helping older adults age in faith. In other words, the role of the church is inviting, nurturing, and equipping older adults to age faithfully! To age faithfully is to trust the promises of God. Although the specific nature of the promise may vary, depending upon particular needs and circumstances, the fact remains that God's grace is the source of God's promises. To aging people, the promise is God's loving presence and strength. To the suffering, the promise is God's saving presence and help. To the sick, the promise is healing and comfort. To the sinner, the promise is forgiveness. To the dying, the promise is eternal life. Therefore, to age faithfully is to see and know that all of life — at every age and stage — is a gift of a loving, creator God. To age faithfully is to stand against the cultural prejudice about growing old. The multibillion dollar a year "anti-aging" medical and cosmetic industries keep alive the notion that young is beautiful and old is ugly. Aging faithfully means refusing to accept this supposition. We need to be reminded that "The glory of youth is their strength, but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair" (Proverbs 20:29). Relaxing our defenses concerning our wrinkles, graying hair, even our sagging bodies is the path toward spiritual maturity. This does not mean that we don't take care of our minds, our bodies, and ourselves. However, to age faithfully means to creatively accept the many changes in our lives and to maintain a spirit that grows healthier and wiser.

To age faithfully means that we develop a new understanding of self-worth. Throughout our lives, we are taught in countless ways by our society that our worth is determined by our productivity. But as mature Christians, we are able to affirm the value God places upon human life, not a worth dependent on the amount or quality of work that a person does. Affirmation of a person's worth is found in one's being, not through having or doing. It is not important who we are, but whose we are. As children of God, we are created in God's own image. If our worth is in what we own or have amassed or the work we have done, in time we will have neither wealth nor possessions. But as we age faithfully, we come to realize that we are and always will be valued, accepted, and loved by God.

To age faithfully is to be part of a congregation that knows spiritual growth is possible and relevant for older adults. To age faithfully is to be part of a congregation that invites and equips older adults for experiencing a new or renewed relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Older adults, no less than people of all ages, need to grow in faith. Without a growing faith, older adults lack the resource of One who can give life meaning, purpose, and hope in times of fear, loss, and uncertainty.

Finally, to age faithfully means to practice the spiritual disciplines. Praying, reading the Bible, worshiping, and receiving the sacraments of holy baptism and Holy Communion, sharing the experiences of faith with others, and meeting the needs of others are just some of the many ways older adults can know and experience faithful aging. As we age faithfully, we are invited to hear and respond to the words of Micah: "With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:6a & 8).

How is your congregation helping older adults know and experience faithful aging? What are ways you can help seniors age faithfully? What ministries can your congregation provide that will nurture older adults in spiritual growth and equip them for faithful aging? God desires all God's children to age in faith.

Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr. (rgentzler@gbod.org) is the Director of the Center on Aging & Older-Adult Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tennessee. This article first appeared in the fall 2005 issue of Center Sage.

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