Mobilization

Three New Social Realities:

Particularly with the Baby Boom generation (born between 1946 and 1964), three new social realities have emerged.  Any one of these three realities would be amazing by themselves and would mark a first in the history of our country and perhaps the history of the world.  It is beyond amazing that these three social realities have come about all at the same time and for one generation. 

Longevity:  In the year 1900, the life expectancy in the United States was between 47 and 48 years old.  Today, the life expectancy in the United States in nearing 80.  This means that people living today can expect the gift of as many as 30 extra years of life as compared to people living only a century ago. 

Affluence:  For what may be the first time in human history, a middle class has developed that, throughout the course of approximately 30-35 working years, has been able to accumulate enough personal wealth in order to retire from working altogether and live comfortably on savings for the rest of life.

Education and Success:  This group of people is perhaps one of the best-educated generations to ever exist and has achieved tremendous economic success.

Conclusion:  A large group of people are recently retired or about to enter into retirement.  They have been given tremendous gifts from God not known in previous generations.  They are the healthiest, best-educated, wealthiest generation in the history of mankind. 

These three new social realities lead to a key question: 

What is God’s purpose for giving the tremendous gift of time, talent, and financial resources? 

We believe that when God gives gifts to His children, He does so for the purposes of His kingdom.  He wants Christians to use their time, talents, skills, passions, and resources for ministry.

Psychological and Cultural Realities: 

Reality #1:  Many who have worked for 30-35 years throughout a career have achieved tremendous success in their career and yet feel a void of significance.  They begin to wonder as they enter into retirement whether their lives will have any real and lasting significance and wonder if there is anything they are able to contribute to ministry.  The Kingdom Builders ministry believes that those who have successfully worked for these many years possess tremendous skills and abilities that can be put to fruitful use in the Kingdom.  Our goal is to help successful people achieve a sense of significance.

Reality #2:  There are tremendous resources available to prepare an individual for the first half of their life.  Parents, teachers, guidance counselors, pastors, colleges and universities are available to help individuals make decisions about career choices.  There is almost no guidance and no resources available to prepare for the second half—especially retirement.  We believe the church can assist in helping people decide what to do with themselves in retirement by asking foundational questions.

            What am I really good at?
            What do I want to do?
            What is most important to me?
            What do I want to be remembered for?
            What talents and resources has God given to me?
            What am I really passionate about?
            Where is God calling me to serve?

Reality #3:  We live in a culture that often glorifies youth.  Due to this, many entering into their retirement years may often feel marginalized or pushed to the side in society.  Unfortunately, this happens too often in the church as well.  This is unfortunate, because those who are now retired or about to enter into retirement are generally blessed by God with ample of amounts of time, skills, and resources that younger Christians do not yet possess. 

Conclusion:  There is strategic importance in mobilizing Christians who are now retired or about to enter into retirement for the purpose of serving in God’s kingdom with full-fledged devotion.