The Gift of Aging

The rising number of Seasoned Citizens will either break the US Federal Government Bank or will be unleashed to do more good for people and God than any generation is history. Here are some dizzying facts about aging.

Statistics According to Social Security

"Over the next 14 years, the number of people over 50 in the U.S. will grow 74 percent, while people under 50 will increase by only 1 percent," according to research conducted by Edwin J. Pittock, president of the Society of Certified Senior Advisers.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 10,000 Baby Boomers are turning 50 every day and the trend will continue for the next 10 years.

In 2000, the elderly population increased from 130 million to 419 million over the last 50 years.

More people are living longer which will cause all of the stages of life to shift; fewer children are being born and more older adults are living longer; and many older adults will continue to work long after "the normal" age of retirement.

If everyone decides to actually retire, lay back and spend their kid's inheritance and the wealth of the US Government, we are in for a heap of trouble. If all the experienced, wise and learned Boomers and Builders disappear from the work force, many of our best organizations will collapse. As a nation we desperately need Seasoned Citizens making decisions.

What are Christians doing to prepare for this reality? Right now, many are recruiting as many young people as possible and suggesting that the Seasoned Believers leave the church. This is a strategy built upon sand not rock. Seasoned Believers have the disposable money, disposable time and disposable wisdom to keep Christian organizations strong.