Reflection on the past and hope for the future by Roger Hirons, Brookfield, Wis.

An interview conducted by Rev. Roger Zehms

Almost 90 years of God’s grace and blessings! What advice would a man give those who follow him? Roger Hirons of Brookfield, Wis., is an apt student of history and of human nature. His views are profound and insightful. He provides some valuable insights for those of us involved in special ministries. His first book, “Fulcrum—Crossing the Generations,” is a fictional look at the past but is filled with hints of Roger’s philosophy of life and his life experiences.

I had the opportunity to interview Roger, and he is happy to share his faith and his life philosophy with those who can make a difference in the world and especially in the church.

ZEHMS – You’ve written two books (available through Northwestern Publishing House), “Fulcrum—Crossing the Generations” and “Driven, A Wistful Recall of the Auto Industry.” What led you to write these fictional books?

HIRONS – While my working years were mainly in the field of manufacturing engineering, especially within the auto industry, my degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, included literature. That has been a love of my life. I also love to sit in the shade of my backyard and write poetry.

ZEHMS – How are you serving the church at large in your retirement?

HIRONS – My wife Ruth and I have been active in the OWLS organization since its inception. Ruth designed the logo and came up with the acronym OWLS— Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors. I put together the first constitution and served as the national OWLS president.

ZEHMS – How do you see the future of the OWLS?

HIRONS – I’m concerned about its future! The OWLS members have a very unique bonding with one another—almost like a family. But we are losing members. Our membership has decreased from a high of 1900 to about 1200 today. Most of those losses have occurred as members have moved from their own homes to assisted living facilities, to nursing homes, and to our heavenly home. Remember, we are a group of seniors!

ZEHMS – Can the OWLS organization remain viable?

HIRONS – Yes it can, but will be a real challenge. We “seniors” have been comfortable in joining and being part of a group. By nature, the younger generation of people are not “joiners.” They want action; they love to ask “Why?” and “What if?” We just say, “What?” The younger generation needs to be ignited not only for the future of OWLS, but for the future of the church!

ZEHMS – How might we do that?

HIRONS – We need to build better bridges between this generation and the next. We need to motivate them to leave their footprint in the sand. That’s what I was aiming at in my first book, “Fulcrum” with the subtitle “Crossing the Generations: Many Reaches, Many Bridges.” We need to show the younger generation that we do have something to offer them if only they will pay attention and listen!

Because this generation has a more independent spirit we have to keep this message before them. We are responsible to keep the momentum going between the old and the young. It begins by showing them and modeling for them that we must always be close to the Lord in all we do. He is the beginning and the end of all things!

ZEHMS – Does technology play a part in this?

HIRONS – Most definitely! We can’t be satisfied with the ways of the past; we must use the new technologies and develop a vehicle that will meet the interests of the next generations.

This is a tough job but not impossible. After I retired the first time from the auto industry, I taught at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee for 18 years. I brought in speakers who had accomplished great things. They were able to motivate the students.

In the church we need to do the same thing. We can’t be satisfied just because a Bible class is doctrinally correct or a sermon homiletically perfect. Those classes and sermons need to motivate the hearers to action through the power of the gospel. The hearersdon’t need more church “theory” or history, but they do need an appropriate application for today; they need something to take home. I don’t want the church to be an artifact of history but a living part of life for all generations to come.

ZEHMS – Do you have any final observations?

HIRONS – As we look at the next generation of people, we need to impress upon them the shortness and fragility of mortality. They think they will live forever in an independent spirit of dissidence and questioning. One on one, take them to a birthing room of a hospital to see the marvel of a newborn. Then later take them to a hospice facility where people are expiring, many in agony. Impress them with the preciousness of free breath and each day of life that brings opportunity to serve the Lord as well as opportunity to seek his forgiveness.

For another example, marriage today is viewed differently than it was in years past. That is not a positive change. If our society is to flourish in this and the next generations, we have to continue to stand up for the value of traditional marriage as taught by God himself in the Bible. A rich life is one where two parents raise their children in the Christian faith both in teaching it and especially by modeling it. That is my prayer for the future.