Here are some of the stories on how many of you scattered seed on September 13th. May God indeed bring the harvest!

Reports came in from across the U.S. from California to Maryland, and Iowa to Florida. Churches had prayers of dedication, sermons on grandparenting about the history of the day, vision casting, the biblical mandate, sharing the gift of grandparenting, and even the power of the four generational impacts. Special music was included and one church used Scott Wesley Brown’s song “Grandprints.”

Many churches made announcements about upcoming church grandparenting events as well as Legacy Coalition events like Finding Hope for Today, Grand Monday Nights, and the Grandparenting Summit.

One church handed out snack bags to all the grandparents who had registered for the Finding Hope for Today online event. Inside the bags was a bottle of water along with popcorn and the free downloads from our Grandparents Day Kit, including the blessing bookmark and ideas sheet.

Another church had a sign-up sheet to attend a Sunday lunch where they would watch Finding Hope for Today together. Others used the Grandparents Day Kit free downloads like the Blessing Bookmark for grandparents as gifts. One church even gave out Legacy Coalition’s Grandchild Promise Cards to each grandparent in attendance.

Bulletin inserts, social media images, and PowerPoint files were used to promote the day as well as used in the church services. One church used this focus on grandparenting to launch their grandparenting page on the church website. Grandparents can now go to their special page to keep up to date on what is happening in their church’s grandparenting ministry.

Would you like to download our FREE Grandparents Day Kit? It’s still available, so you can choose to use the included resources at any time that fits your church’s schedule.

Download the Grandparents Day Kit

A vivid memory watching Grandma cut off the head of a chicken has given me a lasting image for the metaphor, “running around like a chicken with its head cut off!”

But there’s a new kind of grandma out there these days, as depicted in this poem:

In the dim and distant past,
when life’s tempo wasn’t fast,
Grandma used to rock and knit,
crochet, tat, and baby-sit.

When the kids were in a jam,
they could always count on Gram.
In that day of gracious living,
Grandma was the gal for giving.

But today she’s in the gym,
exercising to keep slim.
She’s off touring with the bunch,
or taking clients out to lunch.

Going north to ski or curl,
all her days are in a whirl.
Nothing seems to stop or block her,
now that Grandma’s off her rocker!
(Author unknown)

What is it that makes grandparenting so grand? It is one of God’s most finely crafted parenting by-products! God, the parent of all families, knew that the best was yet to come if parents could just hang on, let go, and not lose heart or hope in their quest of bearing and bearing-up under the task and strain of raising children.

There is an old Egyptian proverb that states “Dearer than our children are the children of our children.” I’ve often heard from friends, “If I had known being a grandparent was so good, I would have had the grandkids first!” But what makes it so grand? Well for one, we get a ‘do-over’ and have learned a few things along the way not worth repeating. Purposeful grandparenting points and walks one’s grandchildren toward Jesus, authentically, relationally and incarnationally modeling The Way, allowing them see in us faith, hope and love through the thick and thin of life!

Legacy Coalition exists so that our grandchildren and their grandchildren will follow Christ!  Yet for many, grandparenting is not lived out as a God calling where grandparents intentionally see their biblical role and seek to fulfill it as disciple makers in the lives of their grandchildren. Therefore the Legacy Coalition’s vison is to see intentional Christian grandparenting taking root and bearing fruit through the local church. This is one reason why we love and value you pastors!

In summary, being a grandparent is not just a good idea, it’s a God-idea and He has spoken much to the matter, even though many of us, myself included, failed to catch it until recently! Grandchildren don’t come with an instruction manual attached. We long to make an indelible impression on the lives of those whose photos we carry in our wallets and display on our refrigerators. It takes time, energy and wisdom to repurpose our roles as grandparents and pastors, learn new skills and gain new hearts and a vision for those who bear our names and are carriers of our blood and DNA.

Dr. Arthur Kornhaber put it this way: “There are three times our lives are totally transformed by natural events without our having much to say about it: when we are born, when we die, and when we become grandparents.”

May God use you as parents, grandparents and pastors to see families, churches and nations totally transformed by super-natural events taking place in our homes, neighborhoods and parishes.  And when that happens—may we have much to say and praise our God, the best and Grandest Father of all!

O God, you have helped me from my earliest childhood…. And now that I am old and gray [or older and with dyed hair or no hair], don’t forsake me. Give me time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all your mighty miracles. (Psalm 71:17–18 TLB)

THERE IS MORE TO PARENTING THAN RAISING CHILDREN; AND THE GREATER PURPOSE OF GRANDPARENTING IS TO POINT OUR GRANDCHILDREN TOWARD JESUS.

A senior saints ministry primarily functions for those who are retired (over the age of 65) and is mostly focused on fellowship. A grandparenting ministry focuses on equipping, engaging and encouraging grandparents (the average age of a first-time grandparent is 47) to pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren. Do you see the difference? Does your church truly have a grandparenting ministry?

Most churches have ministries to young parents, parents of elementry age children, parents of teesn and even possibly parents of college-age children, but once they become grandparents, there is very little for them until they are old enough to retire – a gap of twenty years or more. When something is offered, it is often focused on fellowship, not passing on a heritage of faith to another generation.

However; this is all about to change!

For the last year I have been writing about the Legacy Coalition – Grandparenting Matters. I am honored and delighted to be part of this new movement where we are working to help churches engage the grandparents in their ministries and equip and encourage grandparents to pass on a heritage of faith.

This past November we held our first-ever Legacy Grandparenting Summit featuring Chuck Swindoll, Josh McDowell, Gary Chapman, Valerie Bell, Tim Kimmel, John Trent, and Crawford Lorrits. These speakers challenged more than 800 grandparents from five countries – yes five countries!

Crawford Loritts said this: “This is history in the making.” Josh McDowell declared, “This could be bigger than Promise Keepers.” Gary Chapman said he was committed to go back to his own church and begin a grandparenting ministry!

Plans are underway for our second Legacy Grandparenting Summit November 2-4, 2017 at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwell, Texas – click here for details. Mark your calendar now;  talk with the leaders in your church. Ask them to make plans to go, and plan to join us yourself – you will not want to miss it!

God is up to something exciting and amazing when it comes to engaging, equipping and encouraging grandparents to pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren. This is something big! Join us and ask your church to be part of this as well!

Click here for information about this year’s speakers at the November 2017 Legacy Grandparenting Summit. If you would like to talk with someone about the Summit, contact us at info@legacycoalition.com.

So, today I’m very happy to let you know about the second annual Legacy Grandparenting Summit, which is a national conference for today’s Christian grandparents who want to be inspired and equipped to pass our faith to our grandchildren. Last year grandparents were able to hear from Chuck Swindoll, Josh McDowell and a number of other wonderful speakers . . . this year there is another excellent line-up of speakers, including Tony Evans, Tim Kimmel, Ken Davis, and Steve Stroope. There will also be great  music from Steve Green and Keith and Kristyn Getty, as well as comedy from Bob Stromberg – you will not want to miss this summit!

Now in its second year, the Legacy Grandparenting Summit has been designed to equip and encourage our generation of active grandparents to stay connected and involved with our grandchildren in positive and powerful ways. Through nationally known speakers, breakout workshops and an extensive resource center, you’ll find encouragement, teaching and inspiration.

If you are a grandparent, clearly this summit is for you, as you will find inspiration, ideas and an amazing display of resources to help you realize your potential to grandparent successfully. It is also for the leaders in your church as they will learn how to reach out to grandparents and provide them with the encouragement and resources they need. There will be breakout sessions especially for church leaders!

This year’s summit will be November 2-4 at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Texas. Register now to reserve your place – space is limited, so register early! Early-bird and group discounts are available. You will find all the information you need at this link.

I have adapted following prayer stations from a workshop held at the South Carolina Daughters of the King Fall Retreat in 2016 and modeled at the Grandparent Summit held in Frisco, Texas last November.

PRAYER STATIONS FOR GRANDPARENTS

 Station #1 Blessings Oak

Scripture:  Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.  (Psalm 136:1)

Reflection:  Consider the blessings of your children and grandchildren.

Action:  Write the names of your grandchildren on the acorn. Hang it on the Blessings Oak.

Station #2  Words

Scripture:  Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Reflection:  Consider your words and thoughts toward your children and grandchildren. Do they encourage or discourage them?

Action:  Take a mint. As it melts and refreshes your mouth, pray that God will refresh your words and thoughts.

Station #3  Sorry Bin

Scripture:  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139: 23-24)

Reflection:  Reflect upon and pray the words of this Psalm.

Action:  As areas of sin are revealed, write them on a piece of paper, asking for forgiveness. As symbols of His grace and forgiveness, crumble or shred the paper and throw it in the Sorry Bin. Be sure to thank God before moving to the next station.

Station #4  Letting Go

Scripture:  For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15)

 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (Ephesians 4:31)

 Reflection:  Consider these two verses. Is there a person you need to forgive? Are you holding onto unforgiveness and bitterness?

Action:  Using the washable marker, write the name of the person on your hand. As you wash off the name with a wipe, ask Jesus to help you forgive the person and let go of any resentment you are harboring.

Station #5  Praying Scripture

 Scripture:  For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen __________________ with power through his Spirit in their inner being, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. And I pray that__________________, being rooted and established in love, may  have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that they may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.(Ephesians 3:14-21)

Reflection: One of the most powerful forms of prayer is praying Scripture for our loved ones.

Action: Write the names of your grandchildren (or initials, if you have a host of  grandchildren) in the blanks provided. Pray the Ephesians prayer for them. Commit to praying this prayer on a regular basis.

Station #6   Praying for Specific Needs

Scripture: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests before God. (Philippians 4:6)

Reflection: God is bigger than any storm, which comes our way.

Action:  List specific prayer requests on the card, as general or specific as you want. Place the card in the Prayer Box. Thank you for sharing. We are committed to praying for the prayer requests placed in this box.

Station #7  Grandparents Linking Arms

Scripture:  For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and  each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5)

Reflection:  God has placed us in community.

Action:  Write your name on a strip of paper. Connect your strip as a loop of the paper chain, being reminded that grandparents are being called to link arms in prayer for future generations.

Christ’s words echoed in Peter’s mind as the cock crowed a third time. He shoulders slumped as unchecked tears poured from his eyes.

At what point did Peter remember Jesus’ message in its entirety? But I have prayed for you that your faith may not wholly fail. And you—when you have turned again—strengthen your brothers. Was it when he fled the courtyard of the high priest, or was it while Christ hung on the cross? Was it the next day when he gathered with the other disciples, minus one, in the upper room, or was it on Easter morning when Mary Magdalene proclaimed, “I have seen the LORD”?

Peter was the first disciple to grab his cloak and run to the empty tomb, for the truth of Mary’s words, the reality of the resurrection, made Jesus’ staggering words about not failing completely, turning back and strengthening his brothers possible.

Like Peter, I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and I have witnessed heartbreak in Jesus’ eyes.

I, too, have a choice. I can linger outside the courtyard, crying; I can hide away in my room, embarrassed and ashamed; or I can grab my cloak and run beyond the cross to the empty tomb where my sins have been forgiven, and the victory won. I can strengthen my brothers and sisters, my children and grandchildren, by sharing the message of God’s redemption in my life.

I have chosen Christ. What will you choose?

Last week at the Legacy Grandparenting Summit, I had the privilege and great joy of listening to Crawford Loritts speak to this very thing and today I’m so happy to share with you what he had to say.

First of all, Crawford Lori’s has traveled throughout the US, Caribbean, Asia, Canada, South America, Africa and parts of Europe preaching in churches, evangelistic outreaches, conferences, in colleges and seminaries. He has been the featured speaker at Super Bowls, NCAA Final Four Chapel, and the Pentagon with senior military officers. He and his wife Karen are featured speakers at Family Life marriage conferences and are co-authors of, Developing Character in Your Child. Crawford has written eight books including the newly released, Unshaken. Presently, Crawford serves as Senior Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, GA.

He shared with us from Psalm 78:5-7 and challenged us by saying we are here for a time we cannot see; what we do impacts future generations. He asked us, “What are we going to do with our moments?”, then went on to share how family exists to steward God’s purpose from one generation to the next. Think about this. What we do is not just for “now”. It is for generations we will not even meet!

Pastor Loritts went on to share with us two things we live for, die for, parent for . . . things upon which we build our lives. First, the character of God; how He has worked and what he has done for us. Secondly, the content of Scripture; it is the truth. Always has been. Always will be!

He said; “We must be the desired destination where we want everyone in our family to arrive.” This is so true. If we want our grandchildren to grow to be people who love, know and walk with God, we must love, know and walk with God. If we want our grandchildren to read their Bibles, pray, be thankful, be involved in their church, we must do these things. A big, and serious challenge for us all to keep in mind.

After this serious challenge, Crawford gave us a three step process to follow in passing on a heritage of faith to our grandchildren:

1. We need to teach by all means possible. We need to keep the Character of God in view and take every opportunity we have to pass on our faith with a view to our own “expiration date”.
2. We need to remember one day we will be, “very dead” – we need to, “grandparent from the grave”. This means we believe God and pray for a time we can not see. We pass on a heritage of faith now, to our grandchildren and pray for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren to also be impacted.
3. We need to be focused and intentional, so we do not “minimize prayer, God’s Word and what He has done”. We need to pass it on and live it out!

He then encouraged us with how if we do these things, we will see the end result – the “product” . . .

1. Our grandchildren will set their hope in God and have a “God confidence”! They will see how He answered prayer and how He “came through” for us and in their own lives.
2. Our grandchildren will not forget what He does and will understand history – in their own family and the world around them through this “view-finder”.
3. Our grandchildren will have the will to obey; they will understand they were born to obey God.

I found Pastor Loritts to be challenging and encouraging and absolutely am taking to heart all he had to say. This general session was one of my favorites as he so clearly described what it means to be an intentional Christian grandparent and how grandparenting matters for now and for a time we cannot see!

As you think about the grandparents in your church, do you not want them to understand and take to heart these things as well? Do you see how grandparents who are intentional Christian grandparents, as Crawford Loritts challenged us to be, will make a significant difference in the lives of the children in your ministry and in your ministry as well?

Below is the entire text (edited slightly). Yes, it is on the long side, but every bit of it matters, because intentional Christian grandparenting matters. Please share this with the grandparents you know and the other leaders in your church!

The Intentional Christian Grandparent Declaration

I am a grandparent and this is my declaration. Yes, I am a grandparent, but I am more than a grandparent. I am a Christian grandparent. 

I believe the Bible and the God of the Bible. 

I’ve received the grace of the Gospel of the Christ of the Bible and I desire to be a life-long devoted disciple.

I want my grandchildren to do the same!

Yes, I am a Christian grandparent, but I am more than that. I am an intentional Christian grandparent and this is my declaration.

I love my grandkids, so I will hold them when they’re born, I will cuddle them when they are one, chase them when they are two, read to them when they are three, play with them when they are four and laugh at their jokes when they are five. I’ll support them, exhort them, cheer them, revere them, I’ll praise them; even help raise them. I will be there for them, but that’s not enough! As an intentional Christian grandparent, I will do more.

I will pass on my faith, but my vision is beyond that. I will perpetuate my faith, therefore; I will teach two generations. But, I will not only teach two generations, I will think four generations.

I will ponder what kind of grandparent must I be, so my grandchild becomes one like me then his carries on the legacy.

Yes, I am an intentional Christian grandparent.

Culture says, “Retire and go play.” I say; “No thanks. I’ll pray!”

Culture says; “Pursue affluence.” I say; “I’ll pursue influence.”

Culture says; “You’re old, you did your time.” I say; “Not so! I’m in my prime.”

Culture says about the young generation; “You can’t relate.” I say; “Ain’t true. My influence is great!”

I know my grandchildren need me, but from me they need Godly wisdom, my Christ-like example, my faith stories, my earnest prayers, my uninterrupted time, my unconditional love and my God-authorized blessing.

So, what is intentional Christian grandparenting? Let me spell it out for you. It means I will…

Guide grandkids with grace.

Respect parent roles.

Abound in my affection.

Nurture their nature.

Deal with the dilemma of distance.

Pray with passion and purpose.

Adjust my attitude, in case I need to…

Restore relationships.

Excel in my example.

Number my days.

Tell them my testimony.

Intentionally influence.

Never neglect the newest generation. And, most importantly… 

Give them the Gospel!

I am an Intentional Christian Grandparent and this is my declaration!

Imagine what your Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry and Family Ministry could look like if this declaration was embraced by the grandparents in your church and reflected their heart for passing on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren?

Commit to equipping and engaging the grandparents in your church so they are Intentional Christian Grandparents, because grandparenting matters!

You may be wondering how a grandparenting summit is the, “most exciting thing” to ever happen in Family Ministry, well, consider the following:

• Families where grandparents are engaged, equipped and intentional about passing on their faith to their grandchildren are families where there is less stress and more joy!
• Families where grandparents are engaged, equipped and intentional about passing on their faith to their grandchildren are families where the children are being encouraged to love, know and walk with God (isn’t this the goal of your Children’s Ministry?).
• Families where grandparents are engaged, equipped and intentional about passing on their faith to their grandchildren are families where the grandparents are more engaged and focused on what is happening in your church with the children, youth, parents – the entire family!

Focusing upon engaging, equipping and encouraging grandparents to be intentional and faithful about passing on their faith is something which will strengthen your Family Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, ministry with Young Adults and Parents… pretty much your whole church. So, a conference with the focus upon doing exactly this, is definitely the most exciting thing to happen in Family Ministry!

And the great news is, you still have time to register and be part of the Legacy Grandparenting Summit! If you use my code – Lynda16 – you will save $40 and if you bring four people with you, you will each save an additional $20! We have an amazing line-up of speakers – Chuck Swindoll, Josh McDowell, Gary Chapman, John Trent, Tim Kimmel, Michelle Anthony, Jay Kessler, Larry Fowler, Wayne Rice and the list goes on from there!

Join us and see how a Grandparenting Ministry will benefit your church!

There’s a tendency to believe that divorce is something that happens to young couples, but there is a growing trend called “gray divorce” that occurs in couples over 50 years old where approximately 15%, or nearly 1 in 4, marriages end in divorce. Once children grow up and move away, older couples often see no reason to continue a difficult marriage.

Here is one reason from two sources to fight for your marriage.

One of the strongest deterrence for divorce is found in Malachi 2:15: “Did he not make them one [speaking of marriage], with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.”

Marriage is the artery that carries the gospel to children and grandchildren; in Malachi’s words, one of its purposes is to produce godly offspring. Severing the artery impacts the delivery of the gospel, meaning that divorce may produce ungodly offspring.

Sometimes when I’m counseling a couple considering divorce, I ask them, “Would you get a divorce if you knew it meant that your child or grandchild was going to reject Jesus and spend eternity without him?” That’s a heavy question. I don’t ask it flippantly. The Bible teaches that the pain of divorce not only touches us in this life, but it may stretch into eternity. That is meant to motivate us to lifelong faithfulness.

Research echoes what the Bible teaches; divorce impacts children spiritually and increases the odds that children will walk away from Christ. One study found that children of divorced homes are 12% more likely to be non-religious. The argument that divorce is good for children and grandchildren is simply not true.

If you want to raise children and grandchildren who love Jesus, then don’t get divorced. If you find yourself in a difficult marriage, the first thing that needs to be done is to take divorce off the table. The second is to get help from a pastor or Christian counselor. The third is to commit to making Christ the center of your life and marriage.