JAY PICKTHORN
Spirituality and Aging, Clinton, N.Y., said churches are one of the few places that remain intergenerational. “Mostly [in society] we silo people in peer groups,” he said. To help connect people, the forum provides free
webinars, Bible studies and liturgies, congregational consultation, and educational and training opportunities for older adult ministries. Part of the forum’s goal is to engage people in what McCaffrey calls “second half of life ministry,” helping them share with others what they have learned over the years. Aſter all, that’s the nature of the Christian faith, he said, adding, “We’re connected across the generations. Te faith has always been passed on.” Tony Metze, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran in Columbia,
S.C., said two of the church’s oldest parishioners are mod- els of faith to younger members. One is a retired business executive and the other a former World War II fighter pilot who still drives at the racetrack. Both participate fully in the life of the church. But what’s true of them is also true of other older members, he added. “When you see people who have lived such wonderful,
amazing lives and still have immense joy, how is that not contagious?” Metze said, adding that each is a testimony of faith to the congregation. With 39 percent of its members 60 or older, St. Paul
has started programs to serve them. Te New Directions group has social events to keep members connected to one another. A “quiet communion” service is offered on the third Tursday aſternoon of the month. And the fiſth Sunday of the month during Sunday school, adults and children complete craſt projects and talk about faith. “Tose in their 80s and 90s are still strong and
involved in things,” he said. How this growing population in and out of the church
is served will reveal a lot about the future of the church and the vision of its mission, say leaders in older adult ministries. Bimler of Lutheran Life Communities said society’s
message to older adults oſten is: “You deserve to slow down.” But older adults have giſts to share as well as needs to be met. Churches should be engaged with them and celebrat- ing them as giſts from God, he said. “If we can’t
celebrate aging,” Bimler continued, “what is there to celebrate?”
Resources
Books • A Vision for the Aging Church: Renew- ing Ministry for and by Seniors by Michael Parker and James Houston (IVP Academic, 2011). • Joyfully Aging: A Christian’s Guide by Richard Bimler (Concordia Publishing, 2012). • Ministering to Older Adults: The Building Blocks by Donald Koepke (Routledge, 2013). • Second Wind: Navigating the Passage to a Slower, Deeper, and More Connected Life by Bill Tomas (Simon & Schuster, 2014).
Educational resources • Senior Adult Ministry Manual. A planning guide for individuals and small groups (email ken.holdorf@
princeofpeace.org). • Senior Ministry Inventory. An assessment of needs and preparedness for preretirement and retirement age individuals, their families and congregations (www.
elderministry.com/resources/workshop-brochure).
Author bio: Schaefer is a former religion reporter, edi- tor and columnist for The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle and a Lutheran pastor.
Organizations • Adult Lutherans Organized for Action. Tis organi- zations helps congregations strengthen their ministry with older adults, encourages older adults to affirm their giſts and use them in service, and supports adults age 50 and older. ALOA is inter-Lutheran and engaged in service, education and advocacy (https://aloaserves. org). • Ammerman Center for Creative Aging. Develops and implements models of older adult ministry within Lutheran and other faith-based communities in what gerontologists call “second adulthood” (
http://ammermancenter.org). • California Lutheran Homes Center for Spirituality and Aging. Provides educational programs and materials on spiritual needs for individuals and resources for devel- oping older adult ministries in congregations. Established in 1947, it’s an affiliated social ministry organization of the ELCA (
www.spiritualityandaging.org). • Northeast Forum on Spirituality and Aging. NEFOS, which offers resources and training, is an outgrowth of a partnership between LutheranCare of Clinton, N.Y., and the Older Adult Ministry Team of the Upstate New York Synod (
www.nefosa.org).
October 2014 21
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