Surly Teens and Grouchy Seniors?

A study published by Aging and Mental Health in 2003 showed that seniors who volunteered were significantly more likely than those who didn't to report having high energy, concentration, and engagement. Altruism and Later Life reports that a significant increase in happiness was attributable to volunteering. As reported in Gross National Happiness, "The researchers found that volunteering for just six months significantly increased the seniors' morale, self-esteem, and sense of social integration. In general, the researchers found that volunteering for nonprofit organizations was even better for senior citizens' happiness than helping out their families or their neighbors." Sounds like important news for churches to me!

As a parent, I've had intimate experience with "surly teenager" syndrome. The good news is this also gives us a way to improve their attitudes about themselves and their lives. A study published in The Science of Altruism and Health followed 1,000 teenagers over a five year period, tracking their attitudes and behaviors. Those who spent the most time in various community service efforts were least likely to be involved in violence and pregnancy. They also were least likely to express negative feelings(!) or describe themselves as feeling stressed. As described inGross National Happiness, "Provocatively, the investigators found that charity and faith tended to interact for extra benefit. Religious, giving teens had higher self-esteem, confidence, and optimism than nonreligious, giving teens."

Maybe you don't need an injection of happiness, optimism, and energy in your life. For those of us in the real world, this is just one more reason to take seriously our opportunity as people of faith gathered as the church to live externally focused lives and find our true fulfillment and joy in life by spending their time in the areas of loving ministry that God created us for.