engaging older adults in ministry dr. richard h. gentzler, jr. center on aging & older adult...

Engaging Older Adults in Ministry

Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr.

Center on Aging & Older Adult Ministries

General Board of Discipleship | UMC

PO Box 340003, Nashville, TN 37203

Phone: 615-340-7173

Email: rgentzler@gbod.org

Web: www.aging-umc.org

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin

Transforming Our Congregations Involves…

Learning to appreciate the unique challenges of aging

Inviting older adults to remain a vital part of the church by making significant contributions to its ministry 2

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin3

Senior Adult MinistriesOur youth-oriented culture makes it difficult for us to appreciate the significance of older adults

With the average life expectancy close to 80 years, we must answer the question: What is the purpose of old age?

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin4

Why Senior Adult Ministries?

The population of persons aged 65 and over increased from 3 million in 1900 to 35 million in 2000 and will reach 72 million

by 2030

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin5

Number of Persons 65+ in the

U.S.

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin6

Why Senior Adult Ministries?

The percentage of older adults in the United States is increasing and older adults may soon outnumber both

children and youth

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin7

Aging Population Trends – U.S.

4%

40%

12.5%

24%20%19%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

1900 2000 2030

65+

Children &Youth to 15

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin8

Why Senior Adult Ministries?

The average life expectancy increased from 48 years in 1909 to 78 years in 2009

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin9

Life Expectancy through the Ages

18

30

48

78

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Iron Age RomanEmpire

1910 2010

LifeExpectancy

Years of age

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin10

Why Senior Adult Ministries?

Many faith communities are graying and the average age of our church members are older

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin11

An Aging Population

Population aging is the result of 2

developments:

Lower Birth Rates

Longer Life Spans

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin12

Why Senior Adult Ministries?

God loves older adults

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin13

“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

Exodus 20:12

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin14

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, is this:

to care for orphans and

widows in their distress.”

James 1:27

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin15

Why Senior Adult Ministries?

Aging is Changing

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin16

Today, people who are 65 are generally healthier,

wealthier, and more active than

was true of previous older

adults.

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin17

New Aging CultureThe new aging culture

has replaced aging stereotypes of decline, disease, and dementia

with empowering values of

independence, activity, well-being,

and service.

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin18

Phases of RetirementActive Phase (Go-Go)

Older adults pursue a variety of interests (e.g. volunteer, extensive travel, leisure activities)

Passive Phase (Slow-Go)Energy and health begin to ebb. Extensive travel replaced with shorter visits to family and friends.

Final Phase (No-Go)Health problems may restrict mobility and home health care services or alternative housing may

be sought.

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin19

Designing Senior Adult MinistryStep 1 – Establish a task force of 6 to 8 older adults

Step 2 – Conduct a survey of older adults in your church

Step 3 – Conduct a demographic and a service analysis of your community

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin20

Designing Senior Adult Ministry

Step 4 – Plan 2 high-visibility events targeted to older adults, both inside and outside the church

Step 5 – Survey the people who attended the event and plan a year’s activities

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin21

S.E.N.I.O.R.S. MinistrySpirituality

Enrichment

Nutrition/Fitness

Intergenerational

Outreach/Evangelism

Recreational

Service

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin22

S.E.N.I.O.R.S. MinistryLocal Church Assessment

S.E.N.I.O.R.S. Ministry

Go – Go’s

Slow - Go’s

No – Go’s

Spirituality

Enrichment

Nutrition/FitnessIntergenerationalOutreach

Recreation

Service

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin23

Congregational Senior Ministries

Advocate on behalf of older adults

Focus on the mission of the church

Identify needs/talents of seniors

Survey existing church ministries

Implement S.E.N.I.O.R.S. Ministry

Network with others

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin24

New Ministry Development WHAT

1. Idea List

2. Background

3. Proposal

4. Go/No Decision

5. Market Test

6. Go/No Decision

7. Implement

HOW

1. Brainstorm

2. Select Project Advocate

3. 1-Page summary

4. Team Decision

5. Conduct live test

6. Check results

7. Full plan in place

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin25

Why New Ministries with Senior Adults Sometimes

Fail Failure to have the

“right” people at the table when planning

Failure to have a shared vision

Failure to know the needs and talents of older

adults

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin

Characteristics of “Successful” Senior Adult

Ministries?1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

26

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin27

10 Tips for Successful Ministry

1. Build on your strengths, not your weaknesses

2. Form a Group: Task Force, Team, Committee or Council

3. Follow your mission statement

4. Empower lay leadership teams

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin28

10 Tips for Successful Ministry5. Use lifestyles, not age,

for intentional ministry

6. Develop various ministry options: one ministry-type does not meet all needs

7. Help older adults recapture a sense of purpose and meaning

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin29

10 Tips for Successful Ministry

8. Foster intergenerational ministry and lifelong learning

9. Make your church facilities inviting and accessible

10.Consider the needs of older adults as you add church staff

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin

Selected Older Adult Ministry Resources

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GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin31

Want More Information?

Or Contact Me At

Email: rgentzler@gbod.org

Phone (Toll Free): 877-899-2780 ext 7173

Direct: 615-340-7173

Website atwww.aging-umc.orgwww.gbod.org/coa

GBODCenter on Aging & Older Adult

Ministries

©GBOD - Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., DMin32

“So even to old age and gray hairs, O

God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim

your might to all the generations to

come.”Psalm 71:18