An Interview With Doug Olsen

In his preparation for that traditional New Year sermon on “resolutions”, Pastor Doug Olsen knew that most resolutions are soon abandoned, and he wanted to challenge the congregation to “expand their view and increase their horizon to a more significant level of impact” – a focus on our long term commitment to our legacy.  This meant addressing the bigger issues of defining spiritual legacy as a resolution for life and its impact on those who journey with us.  Thus, the Pauline expression of life legacy, “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”, demanded further reflection.

CGN:  Doug, define for us what you mean by legacy, and specifically, spiritual legacy.

DOUG:  I define spiritual legacy as resolution with a spiritual foundation.  It is what we will pass on.  It is not my job as a parent or grandparent to merely LEAVE a legacy, but to LIVE it.  Legacy is depositing yourself into the lives of others.  It is intentional, purposeful and deliberate.  That means I have carefully thought through what I want to deposit in the lives of my children and grandchildren, my friends, etc.

Secondly, it is about “pattern”.  Legacy is more a consistent pattern of your life than those profound things I said or wrote or wanted to pass on by making a big point of something.  We all say some profound things we hope will be remembered and some stupid things we hope will be forgotten, but I think it is the pattern of your life that is your legacy.  We can fool ourselves about what others see as our legacy, but it is the pattern of our life that makes a deposit in another’s life, and obviously, the pattern of walking by the Spirit is the pattern of spiritual legacy we want to leave as followers of Christ.

CGN:  How does this view of legacy impact your own thinking in terms the role of grandparents?

DOUG:   I believe grandparenting was very significant decades ago.  Grandparents were honored, respected, viewed as elders and significantly influenced the tribe or family – whatever you want to call it.  Society then swung to younger is better, thanks in great part to the influence of the baby boomers. Maybe younger is healthier, maybe younger is stronger, but they’re not wiser or brighter.  When that pendulum swung all the way over, I think we lost quite a bit.  Now, I believe, the pendulum is swinging back a bit.  Baby Boomers are now realizing that the “younger is better” model doesn’t work, especially now that they are older.  Now there is a greater awareness of the value in maturity. The failed “younger is better” experiment, and the fact that the power generation are now going to be grandparents offers a greater opportunity for grandparents, and the elderly in general, to have a significant influence on the younger generation.  That is what I believe this means for me as a grandparent – to influence my grandchildren, not to lead because that is the parents’ role.  My role is to influence and remind them of our heritage.

CGN:  With the reality that most grandparents today are long distance grandparents, that poses some interesting challenges, doesn’t it? 

DOUG:  Of course.  It means the new generation of grandparents, who may not have the advantage of proximity found with earlier generations, must live with intentionality – that is, to absolutely purpose to connect and influence.  You must determine to use what is available to make those connections, and technology can be a great tool for that to happen.  We tend to see technology as something that separates us from our grandchildren.  Can you imagine how cool it would be if grandparents learned to text message with their grandkids or email on a regular basis?  I’m telling you, that is a new paradigm that we’re not thinking of, and shame on us!  Intentionality will need to reflect the technology and methodology of the day, and though it may be harder and feel less personal, I believe these can be effective ways of communicating with our grandchildren.  And it doesn’t mean that the older generation must abandon that which is unique and rare, like snail mail.  There still is something special about getting letters and cards.  But it does mean we can learn much from the younger generations that will benefit both.

P.S.: I am pleased to be able to offer you a free CD of Doug’s sermon, “The Resolution of Legacy.” To receive this transformational message simply send me an email and type “CD Offer” in the subject line.  Be sure to include your name and mailing address.  I also invite you to subscribe to Carry The Torch, my weekly e-devotional for grandparents that is absolutely FREE.