Episode: The Intentional Path to Elderhood

Guest: Chris Bruno — author of “Sage,” founder of Restoration Project

Episode Summary

In this powerful conversation, Mark sits down with Chris Bruno to explore what it truly means to age with intention. Chris draws a crucial distinction between simply becoming elderly and intentionally becoming an elder—a person of wisdom, presence, and spiritual weight within their community.

Rooted in scripture, history, and the stories of cultures that honor the aged, Chris unpacks how elderhood is not guaranteed by time. It is a choice. A formation. A path we step onto with courage, curiosity, and surrender.

If you’ve ever asked, “What does God expect of me in this season?” or “Is there more for me as I grow older?”—this episode offers depth, guidance, and hope.

Key Takeaways

• As we age, we face a profound choice about who we’re becoming.
• Growing elderly is passive. Growing into an elder is intentional.
• Elders carry spiritual authority, relational weight, and generational influence.
• Wisdom is formed through reflection, surrender, and lived experience.
• Scripture offers a vision for elderhood that is active, not passive.
• Many cultures honor elders as the memory-keepers and wisdom-bearers.
• Intention shapes the quality of our aging.
• Communities are strengthened where intentional elders are present.
• The journey of aging can—and should—be deeply meaningful.

Resources / Links

https://www.chrisbruno.org/

https://www.restorationproject.net/

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00UU5E1S2/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=74352286-5305-4332-a14d-572bca4948b6&store_ref=ap_rdr&linkCode=sl2&tag=restoratio04e-20&linkId=23ed88c0c4e5887e420004b1e2b94e84&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&ccs_id=a2eda9a8-b51b-46b6-bff9-10f640347fef

For nearly two decades, Ken Schafer used his entrepreneurial leanings to minister bi-vocationally in a multicultural context. A mid-life transition to full-time ministry gave him an even bigger vision for serving people and churches.

Before joining Ramsey Solutions to work with the country’s largest churches, he was the stewardship pastor at Christ Fellowship in Miami, Florida.

Ken fervently believes in the power of stewardship initiatives to build community and fast-track spiritual growth. And as the stewardship minister at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tennessee, he is part of the team creating a powerful '4th quarter' strategy to help those 50+ thrive in their calling and purpose.

Ken is an obsessive long-distance runner, a proud father of two adopted children. Ken has been married to Julie for 24 years.. But as soon as you hear him talk, you realize he's the real deal, incredibly smart and strategic with an amazing heart for people. And in this episode we get the benefit of those myriad experiences and life-lessons. Lean in and get ready to laugh and to learn.

So excited to have my good friends Rhett Barden and Justin Bradshaw as our special guests this week on The Age of Lions. Rhett and Justin are the hosts of the Armchair Authentic podcast, and have over 50 years of pastoral experience between them. We have an incredible conversation about the impact of our beliefs, and the power of our stories, a perfect follow-up to episode 017 with Jinda Clement.

Show Notes
https://www.armchairauthentic.com/

Wendy Garner has lived an amazing life - from broadcast journalist and news anchor, to independent producer, to now the Executive Director of On River Time. She's an amazing wife, mother, and friend to so many. Lean in as we have a great conversation around parenting adult kids, empty nesting, and stepping into a new career after 50. You will be inspired and encouraged!

SHOW NOTES

https://www.onrivertime.org/

In this mini-episode I share the 'rest of the story' from episode 017 with Jinda, share some amazing statistics about how the podcast is growing, and let you in on some of the amazing guests we have scheduled between now and the end of the year.

My guest this week on the Age of Lions podcast is the incredible Jinda Clement my - beautiful, amazing, brilliant, daughter of the King - wife! We discuss one of my all time favorite topics 'the power of your story'. Founded in scriptures like Revelation 12 and John 12, God's Word tells us that one of the most powerful weapons in our spiritual arsenal is our testimony, our GOD STORY. This conversation will challenge you to think hard about how and how often you share the story of how God has radically changed your life.

Jinda is the Executive Director of Recruiting and Admissions for Highlands College in Birmingham, AL - America's Ministry Leadership University. She is an incredible leader and walks powerfully in lockstep with the Holy Spirit. She is currently earning her Master's Degree in Ministry Leadership and is an amazing wife and mother of five.

SHOW NOTES
Check out the Armchair Authentic podcast with Justin Bradshaw and Rhett Barden.

#aging #calling #purpose #kingdomminded #story #storytelling #ageoflions

Mark Price has lived an amazing life, from professional entertainer to full-time ministry, father, husband, friend and pastor. In this interview Mark shares some of the invaluable lessons he has learned from decades of pursuing, following and obeying God. From marriage, to empty-nesting, to absolute faith and obedience in the Lord, Mark is an open book about how God is continually growing and stretching him. #aging #calling #podcast #purpose #kingdomminded #ageoflions

Chris and Karla have a passion for marriages. Marriage in Focus was birthed out of a vision from God to create a ministry where couples could connect meaningfully with God and one another.

In this episode Chris & Karla share about their personal aging journey as well as what they are seeing in marriages of those 50 and above. If you are looking for the 'more' that God has for your marriage, this episode is a must listen/watch for you AND your spouse.

Prior to starting Marriage in Focus, Chris served as a pastor on staff of a local church for six years after spending 20 years in the business world. Karla taught school for 26 years before retiring to join Chris in this ministry. Chris and Karla are both graduates of Auburn University and Highlands College. They are more in love with one another today than ever before. These two would be the first to tell you they don't have a perfect marriage but want to share their passion and life experiences to equip and empower married and engaged couples to live marriage by God's design.

SHOW NOTES - MARRIAGEINFOCUS.ORG