We recently have heard of Christians in two assemblies who decided to express their appreciation to their elders before their elders’ funerals (the usual time to wax eloquent about others)–a novel approach indeed. One assembly’s young ladies (the New Hampshire Avenue Assembly in Silver Spring, MD) planned a lovely evening with a dinner in honor of the elders and their wives.
The lower auditorium was festooned with decorations, a head table was provided for the honorees, and a lovely after-dinner program was arranged with an appropriate message from brother Alan Parks and some musical renditions by the young ladies (who had also served the meal). Gifts were given to the elders and their wives as a token of the assembly’s appreciation for the labors of love, teaching, wise counsel, and guidance given to the assembly by these men who are faithfully supported by their mates.
So, young people (or young couples), there is just enough time to plan a delightful spring banquet for your elders and their wives. No doubt older believers would be happy to contribute food or funds to cover costs. It’s a great idea, and a real boost to the local church. “Honor to whom honor” is a good biblical principle. And no one deserves more honor these days than the men who do one of the most thankless jobs on the planet, and the wives who stand with them.
The elders of another assembly (the Moncton Gospel Hall in Moncton, NB) received a happy surprise recently with a custom card sent to them by a number of appreciative sheep in their flock. Several of the elders were going through job-related difficulties and one of the wives was undergoing serious health problems; this prompted this group of believers to feel that a timely encouragement might come through a homemade card.
Inside the card was an expression of appreciation for these faithful laborers and their life partners. One of the elders, with a catch in his voice, wondered out loud if they were the only group of elders that had received such a card.
They have cards for every occasion (Happy Divorce?) but I’ve never seen a Thank Your Elders card. Don’t hold your breath for Hallmark or Carlton to catch on. But we ought to catch on! Find ways to express your appreciation now, while it will do some good. Your elders may not need financial help, but can you do their car repairs? Yard work? Buy them a good book? Take them to Sunday dinner? Whatever way you find to help these helpers, to encourage these encouragers, be sure that if we took notice of these two examples, the Chief Shepherd will take notice of your kindness to His under-shepherds.