How can the black church fully and successfully forge ahead without recognizing the contributions, wisdom, and insight of those who laid the foundation for its existence today? The authors of "Our Help in Ages Past proclaim it cannot. Saucer and Elster issue a wake-up call to black churches everywhere; a wake up call to not only recognize the past, but to begin to reap the benefits from all that the elderly have to offer, and are waiting to give. This book challenges and guides the members and leadership of African American churches to make more concerted effort to meet the needs of the elderly in churches and in the larger community. "Our Help in Ages Past offers a challenge to the church to acknowledge and act upon the needs of the very ones who have gone before, of people whose sacrifices and commitments have made the church what it is today, while issuing an invitation for churches to employ the many ministry gifts older people have to offer.