Older adults:
The church’s challenge
By Tom Schaefer A
silent revolution is sweeping through churches in this country. More and more, older, rather than younger, adults occupy church pews. Yet many congregations
aren’t focusing on how to serve them and how these older adults can serve. “Tere are more of us, and more of us are growing
older and living longer. Tat means we’re not going away,” said Richard Bimler, 73, of Lutheran Life Communities, Arlington Heights, Ill. He speaks to groups nationwide about health- and spiritual-related issues for older adults. Te Department of Health and Human Services’
Administration on Aging estimates that there will be 72 million adults age 65 and older by 2030, more than twice the number in 2000. Tat total will account for almost one in five Americans. And that aging population is mirrored in Lutheran
churches. An ELCA report in 2008 (the most recent study) showed that the median age for people 15 to 99 who attend ELCA congregations is 58. Are churches focusing on these older adults?
Older adults an asset now When Nancy Gordon sets up her display for Califor- nia Lutheran Homes Center for Spirituality and Aging, Anaheim, at synod gatherings, the people who stop say their churches worry mostly about attracting and serving young people. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard: ‘Our con- gregation is getting older, but the future is with children
JAIME GREEN
October 2014 17 18
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