|
In many
congregations it makes sense to do intentional
individualized ministry with older adults.
Two reasons for
this are the increase of number of older adults as a
percentage of the population and the interest that many
older adults take in their local congregations.
Based on Dr.
David P. Gallagher’s book
Senior
Adult
Ministry in the 21st Century,
here are five points to consider before beginning a
senior adult ministry:
1. Pray.
2. Consider the
struggles that will inevitably come along. Avoid wasting
time and effort going in the wrong direction. Work
lovingly and patiently with those in the parish who are
either indifferent or antagonistic to new ideas. Don’t
get discouraged. Respect the congregation’s leaders and
organizational structure. Constantly evaluate.
3. Develop a
mission statement. Two other older adult ministry
specialists, Win and Charles Arn, stress the importance
of making the mission statement outward directed. The
Arns believe the mission of an older adult group needs
to be service to others, not themselves.
4. (and back
with Gallagher) Set goals and objectives.
5. Dream big but
live in reality. In other words, don’t set yourself up
for failure. Don’t chase after one fad to no avail and
then chase after another one.
For any
congregation considering a program for intentional older
adult ministry, these are good ideas.
If your
congregation is considering intentional older adult
ministry or has had some experience with intentional
older adult ministry, please share with other
congregations in Iowa District West what you did and
what you learned. Submit your experience to the district
office in Fort Dodge.
You can e-mail
your information to
jason.fuller@idwlcms.org
or send by mail to Older Adult Ministry, Iowa District
West, P.O. Box 1155, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Your ideas
will be shared on the Iowa District West Web page (http://www.idwlcms.org/ministry_areas/older_adult_ministry/index.htm)
through the older adult ministry link.
From the Older Adult Ministry Pastoral Advisor |
