A Vision for the Aging Church

A Vision for the Aging Church
Author: James M. Houston
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Total Pages: 281
Release: 2011-10-10
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0830869522

James M. Houston and Michael Parker believe now is the time for the church to offer ministry to its increasing numbers of seniors and to benefit from ministry they can offer. They issue an urgent call to reconceive the place and part of the elderly in the local congregation, showing that seniors aren't the problem--they are the solution.

Ministering to Older Adults

Ministering to Older Adults
Author: Donald Koepke
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2013-10-18
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 131799440X

Learn how to focus your ministry’s programs and services on the elderly By 2030, 20% of the people living in the United States will be age 65 or older, with unique spiritual needs that can affect their physical and mental well-being. Ministering to Older Adults answers the critical need for a ministry that doesn’t center primarily on youth and families in its outreach, instead presenting a step-by-step guide to developing a ministry for the aged that is focused on the needs and resources of each congregation. This program has been used effectively with nearly 50 congregations, both large and small, to create a focused older adult ministry. No two congregations are alike. The resources, perspectives, and skills of each congregation are different, as are the needs of its members. Ministering to Older Adults provides a framework for use by planning groups within communities of any religious tradition. The book presents a process that includes essential questions that allow planning groups to develop answers that fit the needs, cultural, history, and structure of their individual congregations. Ministering to Older Adults is divided into three sections: “The Fundamentals”—defining your audience, your mission, and the skills and existing programs that can be brought to the planning process “Programming Possibilities”—spiritual needs based on the aging process, continued learning for older adults, opportunities to serve and be served, providing quality pastoral care, and community building “Putting it All Together”—deciding on a direction, using desired outcomes for evaluation, establishing target dates, and ongoing evaluation Ministering to Older Adults also includes forms and charts to help in the planning process. The book is an invaluable resource for clergy, ministry committees and planning groups, and staff persons responsible for older adult ministries.

An Age of Opportunity

An Age of Opportunity
Author: Richard H. Gentzler
Publisher: Upper Room Books
Total Pages: 177
Release: 2018-05-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0881779059

A companion to the author's earlier book Designing an Older Adult Ministry (Discipleship Resources, 1999), this book will provide new information and outline ways to develop and strengthen ministries by, with, and for older adults that can, and will, enhance the spiritual growth and well-being of people of all ages. The church is beginning to recognize that there are vast numbers of older people in its membership. It is becoming aware of its indebtedness to them for the leadership, support, service, and faith that has made the church of today possible. The church is uniquely positioned to help older adults respond to the challenges of aging; to see the tremendous potentialities in the lives of older adult for making the church and community better; and to assist older people as they experience new meaning and purpose in their later lives. Chapters include "Why Older-Adult Ministries?"; "Understanding the Aging Process"; "Aging and the Spiritual Journey"; "The New Seniors: Boomers?"; "Intentional Ministry by, with, and for Older Adults"; "Organizing for Intentional Ministry in the Local Church"; "Organizing for Intentional Ministry in the Conference"; "Congregational Care Ministry"; "Additional Ideas for Intentional Ministry"; and "Trends in Aging." Appendixes include a "Facts about Aging" quiz, information on creating and using older adult surveys, and suggested resources for further reading and study.

Aging & Ministry in the 21st Century

Aging & Ministry in the 21st Century
Author: Richard H. Gentzler
Publisher: Upper Room Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2008
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780881775402

The church is in the hands of its elders. While the popular perception is that the aged are needy and infirm, Gentzler affirms that the majority of older adults have plenty to give. The church needs to tap into their wisdom, energy, experience, and talents. Gentzler stresses that older adult ministries need to be by and with elders as well as for them, since participants will represent all stages of retirement and activity levels. In addition to the practical issues of programming, Gentzler takes on more difficult topics of aging including chronic conditions, depression, and death. He also recommends that churches pay special attention to the needs of the Baby Boomer generation, since they are now becoming the older adults who will determine the church's path for years to come. "As Boomers have cycled through their various life stages, they passed through 'hippie' and 'yuppie' to become 'abbies': aging Baby Boomers," Gentzler writes. "But don't tell Boomers they're aging. ...They really do expect to stay young and see getting old as an option, rather than a reality." The Leader's Guide is here.

Senior Adult Ministry in the 21st Century

Senior Adult Ministry in the 21st Century
Author: David P. Gallagher
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 149
Release: 2006-05-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1597526630

The Complete Guide for Senior Adult Ministry Over one quarter of Americans are age fifty or older. This sizable group has unique needs and requires specialized ministry. In this resource, pastor to senior adults Dr. David Gallagher offers invaluable insights, practical ideas, and successful strategies for ministering effectively to people over 50. In this book you'll find: Ð THE BIG PICTURE AND NUTS AND BOLTS OF SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY. This book offers a fresh framework of ministry goals and vision, as well as the practical insights to accomplish them. It includes steps for effective senior adult ministry, characteristics of senior adults, ways to involve senior adults in ministry, and more! Ð 150 SOLID GOLD MINISTRY TIPS, TIME-SAVERS, AND LIFE-SAVERS. This priceless help will be useful to both those new and experienced at senior adult ministry. Ð POWERFUL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS. These tested and proven-effective ideas help meet the social, emotional and spiritual needs of seniors! Ð REPRODUCIBLE WORKSHEETS AND HANDOUTS. Found in most chapters, you'll find these reproducible helps invaluable for sparking creativity for all areas of senior adult ministry. A must-have, fresh, new resource for churches who truly desire to effectively reach everyone in their community.

How to Minister to Senior Adults in Your Church

How to Minister to Senior Adults in Your Church
Author: Horace L. Kerr
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Total Pages: 152
Release: 1980
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

An administrative guide and step-by-step process for church staff and lay leaders in ministering to senior adults.

Designing an Older Adult Ministry

Designing an Older Adult Ministry
Author: Richard H. Gentzler
Publisher: Upper Room Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1999
Genre: Church work with older people
ISBN: 9780881772692

Building on the success of Designing a Ministry by, with, and for Older Adults, author Rick Gentzler gives readers new ways to develop and strengthen ministries with older adults, providing: information about the needs and life issues of older adults tools to help congregations evaluate their current situation models for ministry with older adults suggested resources For more information on ministries with older adults, contact the Center on Aging & Older Adult Ministries or call the toll-free number, 877.899.2780, extension 7177.

Baby Boomers and Beyond

Baby Boomers and Beyond
Author: Amy Hanson
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 230
Release: 2010-07-26
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0470500794

How ministry leaders can help older adults be a vital part of Christian community With the explosion of the older adult population, this important book explores the opportunities and challenges that this presents for the Christian community. Amy Hanson challenges us to let go of many old stereotypes regarding aging and embrace a new paradigm that sees older adults as active, healthy and capable of making significant contributions. Debunks the myths of aging that keep us from fully embracing the potential of people in life's second half Offers suggestions on how to re-invent ministry with older adults Focuses on unleashing older adults to serve and make an impact on churches and congregations A volume in the Leadership Network series The author shows church leaders how they can unleash the power of the baby boomer population to strengthen their congregations.

Pastoral Care of Older Adults

Pastoral Care of Older Adults
Author: Harold George Koenig
Publisher: Fortress Press
Total Pages: 116
Release:
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9781451403787

By the year 2000 more than 50 percent of mainline Protestants will be over the age of sixty. Older adults have special needs, to which many pastors are not adequately prepared to minister. Harold Koenig and Andrew Weaver address this problem by providing practical guidance in dealing with such issues as Alzheimer's disease, the chronically ill, relocation, health crises, grief, depression, anxiety, gender differences, poverty, and the needs of children of older adults.

Engaging in Ministry with Older Adults

Engaging in Ministry with Older Adults
Author: Dosia Carlson
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 183
Release: 1997-10-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1566995175

In these pages congregations will find information about the aging process as well as about implications for ministry. In addition to being beneficial for churches and synagogues, this book has a place in seminary education. Study groups may find especially useful the "Points to Ponder" page concluding each chapter. The questions found on those pages can also stimulate older readers to reflect on their life pilgrimage. If the illustrations sprinkled generously throughout the book motivate readers to adapt ideas or create their own responses to identified needs, then faithful engagement can result.