September 2010

It was a news article from the United Methodist weekly news service (internet news) on July 16, 2010 - and it caught my attention:

Methodists live longer than the average Brit

PORTSMOUTH, England (UMNS) — When Stanley Lucas of Cornwall died at the age of 110 in June, he was thought to be the oldest male member of the British Methodist Church and one of the oldest men in the world. Is this sort of longevity characteristic of Methodists? Yes, according to an analysis conducted by British Religion in Numbers of family announcements printed in the Methodist Recorder. The analysis showed that in 1973 the mean age of death for Methodist laity was 77.9 years for men and 83 for women. By 2008, these figures had risen to 83.9 and 91.1 respectively — well above the life expectancy of 77 for men and 82 for women for the United Kingdom population as a whole.

“I’m sure there are many different factors at work for Methodists to attain these numbers,” said Richard Vautrey, vice president of the British Methodist Conference. “But I would guess that our emphasis on caring for our spiritual as well as physical health, avoiding excess, engaging with people in our communities and being good neighbors all help.”

This is amazing - - that Methodist men in England live, on average, nearly 7 years longer than their non-Methodist counter-parts, and Methodist women live a whole 9 years longer!  It raises a number of questions about how one’s faith affects one’s life-style, and how that affects one’s health and therefore longevity.

Of course, I also wonder if the same astounding difference would be evident in the US. Imagine ~ if this can be shown to be true ~ how it might encourage others to join our United Methodist churches! [If Methodists live longer, then if you are NOT a Methodist, you will die sooner -- that’s pretty strong incentive to join the Methodists!]

But all is in perspective - - our life-spans on this earth are but a speck when compared to all eternity. And QUALITY of life is important, too, not just QUANTITY. But there is a strong correlation to the health of one’s soul and the health of one’s physical being. If we are better about taking care of our spiritual lives, our physical lives will be more enriched. Gives us pause to think, doesn’t it?

What are we doing to promote healthy souls? You are always encouraged to read scriptures and other devotional materials, to worship together, to attend Adult Sunday School (which starts in again - two different classes - on Sunday, September 12th), and to join in fellowship activities. As a church, we are to hold each other accountable for how we live our lives. Do they bring honor and glory to our Lord? Are we serving Christ in all that we do? Are we faithful in witnessing to the Good News of God’s grace?

We are challenged -- not to live LONGER, but to live BETTER, to consider our bodies as the Temples of God (i.e., to respect them with healthy habits!), and to nourish our souls with spiritual disciplines. We know that by eating good food and exercising our bodies, we are more likely to be healthy. So too, with our souls - - when we feed them proper food, and exercise them, our spiritual lives will be stronger and healthier. And God’s joy and peace will be more evident in us and through us!

Blessings,

     Rev. Kit