Periodically, every church should review and evaluate its ministries with older adults. What’s working well and what’s not? Keep in mind it’s not always the number of people participating. Rather, it’s the difference the ministry is making in the lives of older adults who participate.
More and more older adults are opting to age in place and receive informal care in their homes, with care being provided by a family member or close friend. While these informal caregivers offer a compassionate, personal touch, they are frequently left alone to manage physical, emotional, and financial stress.
It’s time to rethink older adult ministry not as something merely for older adults, but also by and with them.
Each May, The United Methodist Church celebrates Older Adult Recognition Day to recognize older adults for their contributions to the church and community. This year’s theme, suggested by the Administration on Community Living, is Flip the Script on Aging.
The authors of Intergenerational Christian Formation offer these simple possibilities for bringing different generations together.
Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church’s Best Years program has served church and community members for more than 10 years. During that time, church members applied for and received several ENCORE Ministry Foundation grants. Here’s a glimpse into the program’s start and lasting legacy. “Our Best Years program evolved from a Bible Study program that began over 10 years ago,” said …
Honoring Kent McNish’s service as ENCORE Ministry’s founding executive director, the Kent McNish Fund for Older Adult Food Security was established.
Watch older adult ministry training event held on October 26, 2023. Downloadable resource also available.
Our churches are graying. But aging and growing older shouldn’t be thought of as a negative life stage. Aging can be the path leading toward maturity, growth, and wisdom.
Sunny Day Club® provides respite for family caregivers and a regular outing for loved ones in the early stages of memory loss.