On Serving
A second part of Good News Huddle’s mission is to provide opportunities for older Christians to volunteer and serve. As Christians, we are told our whole lives to serve and volunteer, but it can be hard to find areas and places to do so. We hope to connect you and give you the resources you need to be able to serve where you are.
Biblical Reason for Serving
There are many passages that outline the biblical command to serve others. But it’s important to remember why we serve in the first place. We love because He first loved us. We serve because He first laid down his life for us. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, came to earth and served us humbly his whole life. He died the death we deserved and took our punishment on himself so that we could be free. Jesus gave us His example to follow. We are to follow in his foot steps. Some passages in the Bible that speak to the command to serve are:
We serve others as a way of serving God. Serving should be a natural outpouring of the gospel in our lives.
Other Reasons to Serve
While the biblical mandate is the much more important reason to serve others around you, there are also other reasons. An article written by the International Journal of Community Well-Being analyzed evidence from older adult volunteers and the effects it had on them. This article conducted a study on older adult volunteers and shows what the benefits are. Unsurprisingly, there are many benefits for the older adult volunteers themselves. Not even to mention those people who are being served and benefited in that way. The study found three major benefits of volunteering for older adults.
Many other studies have also pointed out similar benefits to volunteering. A study conducted by the Gerontological Society of America examined the longitudinal benefits of volunteering for after state pension age adults. The study examined the benefits of volunteering over a two-year span. It compared those adults who did volunteer regularly versus those who didn’t. These were the results.
Yet a third academic paper written on the topic of volunteering later in life examines the current knowledge about volunteering later in life. The article is titled, "Volunteering in Later Life: Research Frontiers." This article was published in the Journals of Gerontology, a highly credible, peer reviewed academic research journal. The first sentence in the article is very telling. It says, “Volunteering has historically been one of the few formal roles available to older adults after exiting the workforce…” This is an important point. It maybe gives us a glimpse into why volunteering is so impactful among older adults. Work gives many of us purpose in life. We shape and structure our lives around it and so when it’s time to retire, we feel lost. Volunteering helps to restore that purpose and function back into the lives of older adults. This article, whish was peer reviewed, takes that as a given. Later on in the article it lists the many benefits that have been conclusively linked to volunteering among older adults.
Where to go From Here?
It seems like volunteering as an older adult should be a no brainer, especially as a Christian. Apart from Gods clear mandate, there are also plenty of other physical and mental benefits. It can be hard to take the step and volunteer and serve, but it’s important to finding purpose in later life.
Good News Huddle hopes to provide you with opportunities to serve in your local community! We urge you to reach out to our team and we can get in contact with those in your area!
Works Cited
Morrow-Howell, N. “Volunteering in Later Life: Research Frontiers.” Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 65B, 2010, 461-469.
Russell, A.R., Storti, M.A.H. & Handy, F. “Volunteer Retirement and Well-Being: Evidence from Older Adult Volunteers.” International Journal of Community Well-Being, Vol. 5, January 2022, pg 475-495.
Mattews, Katey and Nazroo James. “The Impact of Volunteering and Its Characteristics on Well-being After State Pension Age: Longitudinal Evidence From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.” Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences, Vol. 76, No. 3, 2021, 632-6t41.
A second part of Good News Huddle’s mission is to provide opportunities for older Christians to volunteer and serve. As Christians, we are told our whole lives to serve and volunteer, but it can be hard to find areas and places to do so. We hope to connect you and give you the resources you need to be able to serve where you are.
Biblical Reason for Serving
There are many passages that outline the biblical command to serve others. But it’s important to remember why we serve in the first place. We love because He first loved us. We serve because He first laid down his life for us. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, came to earth and served us humbly his whole life. He died the death we deserved and took our punishment on himself so that we could be free. Jesus gave us His example to follow. We are to follow in his foot steps. Some passages in the Bible that speak to the command to serve are:
- Galatians 5:13: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
- 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
- Romans 12:9-13: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
We serve others as a way of serving God. Serving should be a natural outpouring of the gospel in our lives.
Other Reasons to Serve
While the biblical mandate is the much more important reason to serve others around you, there are also other reasons. An article written by the International Journal of Community Well-Being analyzed evidence from older adult volunteers and the effects it had on them. This article conducted a study on older adult volunteers and shows what the benefits are. Unsurprisingly, there are many benefits for the older adult volunteers themselves. Not even to mention those people who are being served and benefited in that way. The study found three major benefits of volunteering for older adults.
- The mental benefit - The study found that older adults who had volunteered had improved mental well-being.
- The physical benefit - The older adults who volunteered kept more active and thus were healthier in that way.
- The social benefit - This is a huge one. The study found that social interaction gave the volunteers a sense of purpose. It helped them connect with others and share their love with those around them.
Many other studies have also pointed out similar benefits to volunteering. A study conducted by the Gerontological Society of America examined the longitudinal benefits of volunteering for after state pension age adults. The study examined the benefits of volunteering over a two-year span. It compared those adults who did volunteer regularly versus those who didn’t. These were the results.
- Adults who volunteered were less depressed.
- Adults who volunteered had more life satisfaction.
- Adults who volunteered had a better quality of life.
- Adults who volunteered had a less isolated life.
Yet a third academic paper written on the topic of volunteering later in life examines the current knowledge about volunteering later in life. The article is titled, "Volunteering in Later Life: Research Frontiers." This article was published in the Journals of Gerontology, a highly credible, peer reviewed academic research journal. The first sentence in the article is very telling. It says, “Volunteering has historically been one of the few formal roles available to older adults after exiting the workforce…” This is an important point. It maybe gives us a glimpse into why volunteering is so impactful among older adults. Work gives many of us purpose in life. We shape and structure our lives around it and so when it’s time to retire, we feel lost. Volunteering helps to restore that purpose and function back into the lives of older adults. This article, whish was peer reviewed, takes that as a given. Later on in the article it lists the many benefits that have been conclusively linked to volunteering among older adults.
- Reduced morality
- Increased physical function
- Increased levels of self-rated health
- Reduced depressive symptoms
- Increased life satisfaction
Where to go From Here?
It seems like volunteering as an older adult should be a no brainer, especially as a Christian. Apart from Gods clear mandate, there are also plenty of other physical and mental benefits. It can be hard to take the step and volunteer and serve, but it’s important to finding purpose in later life.
Good News Huddle hopes to provide you with opportunities to serve in your local community! We urge you to reach out to our team and we can get in contact with those in your area!
Works Cited
Morrow-Howell, N. “Volunteering in Later Life: Research Frontiers.” Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 65B, 2010, 461-469.
Russell, A.R., Storti, M.A.H. & Handy, F. “Volunteer Retirement and Well-Being: Evidence from Older Adult Volunteers.” International Journal of Community Well-Being, Vol. 5, January 2022, pg 475-495.
Mattews, Katey and Nazroo James. “The Impact of Volunteering and Its Characteristics on Well-being After State Pension Age: Longitudinal Evidence From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.” Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences, Vol. 76, No. 3, 2021, 632-6t41.