Modelling faith and freedom from fear for the next generation: 55+ retreat

What would 200 Mennonite Brethren seniors do at a retreat? Especially in the middle of the mountains and scenery of Banff National Park? Well, they would probably take in many of Banff’s attractions, including soaking in the hot springs.

But the second retreat for seniors sponsored by the Canadian Mennonite Brethren Conference did much more than give seniors a chance to indulge themselves. It was a time for spiritual refreshing, bracing workshops, lots of visiting, good singing, laughter, some tears, and listening to powerful and engaging preaching.

The idea of such a retreat for Mennonite Brethren arose some years ago out of a sense that many seniors would welcome a chance to get together precisely for the sort of experiences that this retreat offered.

Even though host Abe Konrad, who once was a university dean, said “deans lose their faculties and teachers their class” when they get old, little of that was evident at the October 16–19 weekend gathering.

With MB Biblical Seminary president Jim Holm preaching, John Pauls and Holda Fast Redekopp leading singing, and a range of resource leaders offering stimulating workshops, the retreat gave participants much to enjoy.

Katie Funk Wiebe told one of the workshops that over the span of the 20th century, the life expectancy of Canadians had risen from around 47 years to close to 80. Today it would be appropriate to speak of 55 as middle age, and think of the elderly as young old, middle old and old old, said Wiebe, who has written a series of books on aging.

She suggested to her workshop participants that “you don’t grow old, you become old when you quit growing in spirit.” She provided a challenging vision of growing old, with commitment to see it as a time to share the wisdom gained from a lifetime of growth in faith and through life’s failures and successes. “Find your wisdom and share it with others,” she said. She reminded them of the lesson learned by Pilgrim in John Bunyan’s classic allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress, when he crossed the river to the Eternal City: “I have touched the bottom and it is firm.”

Other workshops dealt with volunteering, dealing with loss, maintaining emotional health and good cheer, keeping the spiritual fire burning and being good stewards of our resources.

University of Alberta professor Hank Janzen took an unusual tack by reading the book of Ecclesiastes as a description of someone struggling with depression, a common affliction of the elderly. He found a prescription for healthy coping with aging in 2 Peter 1. The apostle’s prescription there is to work at being good, learn to know God better, learn to put aside our desires, enjoy other people and grow to love others deeply. Janzen dispensed plenty of good advice on aging gracefully and joyously.

In a workshop on remaining spiritually alive, retired Columbia Bible College president Walter Unger described “anchored faith.” It consists, he said, of following the map with sound theology, combining the subjective and the objective, and finding a balance between celebration of God’s goodness and sobriety at human fallenness.

Others highlighted the many opportunities seniors have to be engaged as volunteers in significant ministries around the world. Many present at Banff exemplified such involvement. At the Saturday evening banquet Ben Jeske showed marvellous slides from a coast-to-coast bicycle ride across Canada in support of one such cause.

MB Biblical Seminary president, Jim Holm, and John Krahn of Pender Island, B.C.

The highlight of the retreat for most participants was Jim Holm’s sermons. Holm was back by popular demand from the first of these seniors’ retreats. He has a remarkable gift for storytelling, for holding the rapt attention of an audience for half or three-quarters of an hour without any notes before him, and for conveying memorable insights into the Christian gospel in the process.

Holm spoke four times during the weekend. Each sermon spoke strongly. Perhaps what gained him the most hearing was his willingness to speak of struggles he himself had had. He urged seniors to “buy back the time,” “be filled with the Spirit” and “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” A sermon based on the story of Jesus admonishing the storm-tossed disciples on the Sea of Galilee for their lack of faith struck a nerve for many. The terror of the disciples right after hearing Jesus’ marvellous teaching on the Kingdom tells us how easily circumstances can erase the truth of what God is doing. “Freedom from fear is something we can model for those who follow us,” Holm said.

Holm concluded his messages with reference to an Old Testament statement about a generation that grew up not knowing the Lord and what He had done for them. One generation has the responsibility of sharing with the next what God has done for them, said Holm. He urged the seniors to see themselves as people who could mentor others, call forth leaders and encourage those following behind them in their faith and witness. “Jesus chose fishermen and tax collectors and saw potential leaders,” he said. “Be the generation that raises up the next generation.”

If there were serious topics, there was plenty of laughter too, and good singing. Peter Enns, who emceed most of the sessions, provided good humour. He and Mary Dueck, another of the planners, gave out a number of prizes for such things as being the oldest at the retreat, having the most grandchildren, being married the longest and coming the longest distance. When those who had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary were called up to the front at the Saturday evening banquet, they formed a long line, and everyone enjoyed singing “Let me call you sweetheart” together with them.

The MB seniors’ retreat first came about at the initiative of the Conference Board of Faith and Life. After this second retreat, the response suggests a third would likely be well received. While no further plans were announced, many who attended the 2003 version would certainly opt for another.

Harold Jantz attends River East MB Church, Winnipeg. He is former editor of the MB Herald and continues to be active in a variety of writing and church-related projects.