Years ago when I was serving a congregation in Oklahoma, one of our dear elders was nearing retirement. "Well," he said to me, "when I retire, I'm going to quit being so active in church. It'll be time to hand over to the younger people. I will have done my service. They can carry on without me." I nodded gravely, already a world-weary 35 year old pastor.

That was then. This is now. Now, I'm approaching retirement age. I'm not ready quit ministry, and God isn't finished with me yet. In fact, people like me--and, you if you are over 60 years of age--may just be the Church's secret weapon for finishing the Great Commission task.

Look over these quick facts about the Baby Boomer generation - by Rev. Chris Holck
• Born between the years of 1946 and 1964
• Approx. 78 million alive in 2005. In the 18 years prior to the Boomers, which are labeled the Builders, there were 49 million births
• 11,000 Boomers turn 50 or 60 each day (one every seven seconds) which equals over 4 million each year
• First Boomers eligible for Social Security in 2008
• First Boomers turn 65 in 2011 and the number of 65 and over will increase dramatically during the 2010-2030 period with twice as many 65 and over in 2030 than there were in 2000, growing from 35 million to 71.5 million and representing nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population
• By the year 2025, Americans over 65 will outnumber teenagers by more than two to one [This is why your youth group isn't going to get the job done!]
• The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the population 85 and over could grow from 5.3 million in 2006 to nearly 21 million by 2050 which is when the youngest Boomers will have turned 85
• Life expectancy during the twentieth century went from 48 to 78 years of age

I started thinking about this when I met with the board of directors of an international ministry based in Jackson, Mississippi called Here's LIfe Mission Africa. The founders, donors, administrators, and missionaries working in Tanzania are all from the "Builder" or "Boomer" generations. I was one of the younger guys at the table; something that hasn't happened to me in a very long time! This ministry has seen more than one million people confess Christ as their savior. These are people that are using their skill, their resources, their time, and their lives to fulfill the Great Commission.

I was interviewed recently on television. At the conclusion of the interview the host said he wanted to pray for me because, "men like you never retire." I wanted to shout, "You got THAT right buddy!" In fact, there is no retirement in God's Kingdom. God continues to use us productively for as long as we'll say "YES".

Will you say "YES" today? You can start by clicking that link in the upper right-hand corner of the page to join Second Half Christians and start networking with other like minded people. Together we can continue the task of finishing the Great Commission!

So, if what I am thinking resonates with you, then please click the link on this page and join Second Half Christians. I want to build a social network of like-minded Christians that can encourage one another, network opportunities for one another, or, just reconnect with old friends.

First things first:

OK, look, I know this "social networking" thing over the internet is brand new to you. Great. It was brand new to me once, too. Click the link at the top right of the web page to sign up..then...

As a new member the first thing you will want to do is build your own "page" on Second Half Christians. Tell us a bit about yourself...and, the ministry you are in...or, your vision for ministry you would like to do. Upload a photograph of yourself so we can see who you are. This is a moderated forum...so, we keep the goofy people off the site...and, you can feel at home here.

LATER,

Upload pictures of your mission trip. Send us video of ministry going on...that is going to encourage others to launch out.

PROFILE PICTURES
It is always nice to put a face to a name so, please upload a profile picture on The Second Half Christians. The ideal image size for your profile picture is 175 pixels x 175 pixels although any square image will be resized. If you have already registered, you need to select the 'My Settings' at the top of the right hand column on this page, then select 'Your Photo' and browse your desktop for the image you wish to use. When you've done this, select 'DONE'. Remember to save the changes by selecting the 'save' button at the bottom right of the page, your image will then appear throughout The Second Half Christians web site.

Introduce Yourself

Click on the "Forum" tab at the top of this page and you will be taken to the Second Half Christians discussion forum. You can introduce yourself to the members here in the New Members forum. This will give you an opportunity to meet other members and develop your network of Second Half relationships.