The Role of “Spiritual” Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles
Assuming parents and grandparents are doing their part teaching their children about the importance of the family of God, the rest of us in God’s family need to be doing our part to make it feel like an actual family. That requires serious intentionality.
Part of that intentionality is accepting the roles we ought to play as “spiritual” grandparents or spiritual aunts and uncles. As members of the body of Christ, Paul reminds us that no part can say to the other, “I have no need of you.” God gives honor and value to all, but we often keep to our own rather than reach across generational lines to embrace one another as family.
I’m talking now to the adult saints in our church—those roughly in their 30’s and up. My challenge is for you to step to the plate, if you haven’t already, and seek out opportunities to be that “spiritual” aunt, uncle, or grandparent to the children and youth in your church. This is not just about teaching a kid’s Sunday School class, volunteering to work in youth ministry, or helping in the nursery. Those are good things to do by the way, and I encourage you do those things if you’re able. But I’m talking about something even more strategic and intentional. Get to know as many families in your church family as you can.
For example, older adults seek out young families in your worship services and introduce yourself. Ask if they would mind if you sit with them. Invite them to dinner at your house occasionally. Get acquainted with each member of that family and offer to be a prayer champion for them. Do this with multiple families.
Younger adults and families do the same with some of the older adults in your congregation who often find themselves sitting alone or just with groups of other from their own generation. Introduce your children. Talk with your family or friends about ways you could bless them (doing a fixer-upper at their home, raking leaves, etc.). Introduce your children to serving opportunities in the church where they will be working with other adults. This could be ushering, serving communion, handing out bulletins, serving as greeters, etc. I love seeing kids at the door with their parents greeting everyone who comes through the door.
The point is this… don’t keep to yourself. It’s not about you. Acknowledge you are part of something bigger that God purposefully designed for His glory and your good—the family of God. Commit to not only get acquainted with that family but encourage your children to do it too. Most of you are cleverer than I am. Let’s all just choose to be more intentional about connecting generation to generation. After all, the local church is your family too.
In the final part of this series, I want to talk especially to the pastors, elders, and ministry leaders in the local church about rethinking how we do ministry as the family of God. It’s an important topic not only for church leaders but for all of us to give some serious thought.
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