Navigating Life’s Big Transitions

FrontLine Volume 33 • Number 3

In this issue we are exploring the life transitions that everyone faces. Managing those transitions can be tricky, to say the least.

There is much one could say about raising youngsters—and my wife and I face that every day as we try to raise our six- and nine-year-old children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” However, the focus of this issue is on the transitions in life that occur a bit later.

We begin with the transition of parenting college-age children and the widening responsibility and trust that that involves. Paul Hartog and his wife, Alne, are in the midst of that scenario and share with us lessons they have learned and are learning. Alan Cole and his wife, Nancy, share the delights and blessings that come from their experiences of living and growing with their adult children in their home.

Kevin Schaal provides a practical and heartfelt article designed to help single adults take a sober and penetrating look at their own hopes and dreams for marriage. Kevin offers a realistic and reasonable series of steps that can guide expectations in this pursuit. Unpleasant as self-examination is, to avoid the pitfalls in marriage that so many in our culture today fall into, Kevin’s advice is not to be missed. He also provides a practical checklist in preparing for marriage.

As we looked at transitions further along in life, it quickly became apparent that living as a single person is a significant and worthy area to explore. This is especially true regarding ministry. The challenge is that singleness may be a transitional phase, or it may not be. Either way can be rewarding and fulfilling. As the articles in this section indicate, singleness can be an amazing opportunity to serve our Savior. Karis Cole (a niece of Alan and Nancy) sets forth the interconnectedness in the local church that single women can enjoy by serving and being ministered to by others in the congregation. Charlie Carter explores the validity of the idea of single pastors (a role in which both he and I have served). My own article develops the apostle Paul’s thoughts on the advantages of being single while in service for the Lord.

Gordon Dickson reminds us that no believer need to wallow in the regret of past failures. If we are breathing, there still is hope for contributing to a purpose that brings glory to God.

Finally, there is the greatest transition of all: to glory in the presence of God. Doug Brown explains the joys and challenges of helping parents with their own transitions of life. Doug and his wife had her parents live in their home for an extended period before they were promoted to glory. Doug is also currently helping his own parents transition to full-time care to meet the needs they have. His perspective and wisdom are very much worth listening to, both for older parents and for those who provide care for them.

There are more transitions in life than we examine here, but I hope what you glean from this issue will be helpful and profitable as you face the transitions God has for you.

Ken Rathbun

(Dr. Ken Rathbun has been the academic vice president for Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary since 2016. He previously served as a missionary in Jamaica for fourteen years. He and his wife, Cléa, live in Ankeny, Iowa, with their two young children.)

Featured Articles:

TRUST IN TIMES OF TRANSITION
Paul and Alne Hartog

We know from Scripture and recognize from experience that parenting is not painless.

LIVING WITH ADULT CHILDREN IN THE HOME
Alan and Nancy Cole

Our American culture has influenced many people to assume that eighteen-year-old young people should leave home.

PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE
Kevin Schaal

A truly loving marriage takes work, both before and after the “I do.”

CHECKLIST FOR PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE
Kevin Schaal

MINISTRY AS ONE
Karis Cole

Many single women struggle to understand their place in the church, and churches can struggle to know what to do with singles.

SINGLE AND READY TO … MINISTER?
Charlie Carter

Should churches broaden their scope of pastoral search to include single men?

SINGLENESS AND SERVICE FOR THE LORD
Ken Rathbun

Let’s examine in a balanced way what 1 Corinthians 7 has to say about single people and ministry.

FAILURES AREN’T FINISHED
Gordon Dickson

As you face the ultimate transition–from this life to the next–remember that failures aren’t finished.

PREPARING FOR LIFE’S FINAL TRANSITION
Douglas Brown

End-of-life care can be very complicated.

Departments:

MAILBAG

ON THE HOME FRONT

NEWS FROM ALL OVER

HEART TO HEART: At Home in God’s Grace
Linda Craven

AT A GLANCE: Genesis: The Story Begins
Layton Talbert

WITH THE WORD TO THE WORLD: Eight Hindrances to Answered Prayer (Conclusion)
Jim Tillotson

REGIONAL REPORT

CHAPLAIN’S REPORT: Report from the Streets
Mike Ascher

EVANGELIST’S PERSPECTIVE: Spiritual Desires for God’s People
Jerry Sivnksty

FrontLine • May/June 2023. Click here to subscribe to the magazine.