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All posts from "August 2008"
August 19, 2008
Four Myths About Older Adults
Dispel four widely held beliefs about the aging process.
Getting older often gets a bad rap in our culture. We color our hair, hide our wrinkles, and lie about our age because in America there is this notion that aging is a bad thing. In contrast, aging is not something that just magically happens to us once we get the letter to join AARP or we start drawing social security. Rather, the moment we are born we begin to age.
How much do you really know about the later years of life? There are many stereotypes that prevail about aging and these attitudes have subtly crept into our churches and they affect our ministries. Be honest with yourself and see if you have bought into any of these myths.
August 4, 2008
Senior Adult Ministry Self-Assessment
Evaluate the effectiveness of your church's ministry among older adults.
1. Does your church maintain an up-to-date data bank or information service on older adult services in the community?
___Yes ___No
If yes, please describe:
2. Does your church currently offer regular support services and resources to elder caregivers in your congregation? ____Yes ___ No
If yes, please describe:
3. Does your church currently offer classes to seniors in your congregation on how to age successfully? ___Yes ___ No
If yes, please describe:
4. Does your church operate a systematic home visitation program for elderly shut-ins? ____ Yes ____ No
If yes, please describe:
When we talk with leaders of older adult ministries in churches, we consistently hear a comment something like this: “How are we going to attract the younger people? Boomers just don’t seem to want to be a part of our seniors group.”
Our answer: Most likely you’re not going to bring the Boomers into anything that looks or acts like a “seniors” ministry. It’s going to have to be unique, compelling, and maybe even revolutionary!
The Baby Boomers, referring to those adults that were born sometime between 1946 and 1964, is a generation unlike any other. Defined by the historical, political, economic, and social events of its youth, this cadre of aging adults may be chronologically qualified for the Seniors Ministry, but it’s fairly safe to say that they aren’t rushing to join.
Many individuals within this generation are still searching for truth, meaning, and a reason for their existence. One need not look far to find books, articles, and websites written by Boomers who are struggling with transitions into a new phase of life. It is clear that opportunities for ministry are abundant and significant.
So how do we minister to Boomers? How do we begin to break through the walls of denial, indifference, arrogance, rebellion, and fear that seem to surround this generation? How do we share Christ with a people group that is known for spiritual exploration and tolerance? How do we meet the needs of Boomers who are facing unprecedented changes? How do we break the code?
As a result of working with Boomers in our own church and with leaders of 50’s+ ministries in other churches and denominations across the country, we have begun to identify some code-breakers.
