Ideas to Encourage the Grandparents in Your Congregation

Why are we talking about grandparents in September? That’s because, in 1977, Congress resolved that the first Sunday after Labor Day should be designated Grandparents’ Day. Your calendar may recognize September 8th as Grandparents’ Day in 2024.

Years ago, I remember inviting my husband’s parents and my parents to visit us on Grandparents’ Day because the local library had planned special activities for my children and their grandparents. I always enjoy seeing grandparents and their grandchildren enjoying one another.

My church is composed of several multi-generational family groups. One young family has four active boys who sit in the service with their parents and grandparents. These adults share the load of helping the little boys to remain patient during the service. Another family invites their widowed grandmother to join their pew at church. Older saints are a blessing to your church. Let’s consider the important role of grandparents and what you, as a ministry leader, can do to foster cross-generational relationships.

Including All Ages with Their Gifts and Abilities

Your church is composed of worshippers of all ages. Sometimes a church has a concentration of people in one age group. One church may have many people with gray hair but longs for young families so it can involve the next generation. Or your church might be composed of a majority of young people but longs for older members with wisdom and experience. The body of Christ includes all ages with their gifts and abilities (read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26). Let’s consider the importance of the grandparents among us.

God calls grandparents to share their wisdom with the younger generation. We read about this calling in Deuteronomy 6:1-2: “Now this is the commandment—the statues and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long” (emphasis mine).

The Lord also spoke to the people in Deuteronomy 4:9, “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children…” (emphasis mine). Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, played an important role in his salvation (2 Timothy 1:5). She shared a sincere faith with her daughter and her grandson.

‘Adopting’ Grandchildren

What about the grandparents in your congregation who have no grandchildren who attend the service? These seniors could become temporary stand-ins for small children with no grandparents nearby. Think of ways to unite these two groups: the grandmas and grandpas who miss their “grands” and kids who miss their grandparents. One suggestion is to informally “adopt” a set of siblings in the church. These substitute grandparents would not replace their own relatives, but nevertheless, the relationship can be fulfilling for all.

My husband and I have a special interaction with a young family with no nearby grandparents. We are sometimes invited to the children’s birthday parties, and often, one or several of the children will ask to sit with us during the service. We are so encouraged by each other, and everyone benefits greatly from these relationships! The children in our church learn from older people who love them. The seniors who miss their grandchildren get additional young ones to love and assist busy parents with their positive influence. All parties benefit and are encouraged!

Grandparents Serving the Body

Your church is blessed if it has grandparents who can serve the body. For example, these older saints might joyfully serve in the nursery and thus bless young parents who want to worship. In my previous church, Susie was known for her love of babies. She had a knack for quieting a fussy infant, for which the young moms were very grateful. I am a grandmother who enjoys teaching Sunday School. I have enjoyed that ministry for more than thirty years! The children keep me involved, and my ministry helps me interact with the families in my church who have young children.

I look forward to the Sundays when I am in the classroom! Other grandparents offer to help in Vacation Bible School, serve on a church work day, or clean up after a fellowship meal. With no young ones to supervise at those times, these older saints have more flexibility to bless the body of Christ.

Highlighting Grandparents in Your Church

As a church leader, how can you foster more connections between young and old? First, encouragement can come publicly from the pulpit. Of course, the subject will come up through preaching through the verses mentioned above. But think of other ways to highlight grandparents.

The pastoral prayer can give thanks for the blessings of the seniors in the congregation. If you are a pastor’s wife who oversees baby and wedding showers, you can invite an older woman to share a devotion. You will enjoy hearing from a saint who has successfully raised several children. You might make a special effort to include seniors in your women’s retreats.

At my former church, the leadership team realized that older ladies prefer to spend the night in their own beds, so we arranged our retreats within a short driving distance and with the option of coming for the daytime only. We wanted the older women to join the younger ones in worship and learning. You might need to personally invite a senior woman to join you for a church activity and offer her a ride, especially if an event ends after dark. You want to learn from the older women and to bless them (Titus 2:3-5).

May the Lord bless you and your church through the grandparents in your congregation. “…God has so composed the body…that the members may have the same care for one another” (1 Corinthians 12:24-25).

©2024 Caroline Newheiser. Used with permission.