Connecting the Church with Unchurched Senior Adults

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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults

• Dr. Lyle Pointer, Author
• Robyn Ratcliff, Curriculum Designer

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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults

• Purpose
• To prepare our senior adult ministry to do God's
  will by reaching out to unchurched senior adults
  in our community.
• Objectives
• To learn about the demographic and sociological
  factors that represent an incredible opportunity
  for the growth of the church.
• To draft a statement of purpose for our senior
  adult ministry.
• To explore our group and individual potential
  for reaching unchurched senior adults in our
  community.

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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O
God, till I declare your power to the next
generation, your might to all who are to
come. Psalm 7118
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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults

• Ministering TO Senior Adults
• Demographic Information
• In 1960, 9 of the American population was age
  65 or older.
• In 1980, 11 of the American population was age
  65 or older.
• By 2040 when the last of the Baby Boomers
  retire, 25 of the American population will be
  age 65 and older that's 87 million adults.
• Will the church be ready?

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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults

• Ministering TO Senior Adults
• The New Seniors
• Age 50 and up either retired or
  soon-to-be-retired
• Feel 10 to 20 years younger than they are
• Active, vital and goal-oriented
• Value comfort and leisure activities
• Are concerned about health and wellness
• Seek meaningful involvement with flexible
  schedules
• Need spiritual progress
• Require shared responsibility for leadership
• Many may be parenting grandchildren

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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults

• Ministering TO Senior Adults
• Senior Adult Paradigm Shifts
• Old Paradigms
• Senior adults require volunteers.
• Senior adults require caretakers.
• Apathetic outreach to seniors.
• (Continued on next slide.)

New Paradigms Senior adults are a source of
volunteers. Senior adults are
caregivers. Intentional outreach to seniors.
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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults
Ministering TO Senior Adults Senior Adult
Paradigm Shifts Old Paradigms Traditional
senior attitudes and stereotypes. One
senior adult group and program. Retirement
motive play. From the book Catch the Age
Wave A Handbook for Effective Ministry with
Senior Adults by Win and Charles Arn
New Paradigms New senior attitudes. Multiple
senior adult groups and programs. Retirement
motives work, learn, serve, play
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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults

• Ministering TO Senior Adults
• Senior adults are an ASSET to the church, not a
  liability.
• Overcome ageism in the church.
• Develop a Christian view of aging.
• Acknowledge the potential of senior adults.

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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults
Exercise STATEMENT OF PURPOSE A written
statement of purpose will provide consistency to
the intent and activities of our senior adult
ministry. It will help us maintain an outward
focus.
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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults
Ministering THROUGH Senior Adults Identifying
Prospects Seventy-nine (79) percent of
Christians report that a friend or relative was
responsible for brining them to God.
Family--Who are the unchurched senior adults in
your family? How long has it been since you
invited them to church? Friends--List any friends
who may be unchurched. Think about people you
know from the community. Neighbors--Look up and
down your street and around your block. Where
are the unchurched senior adults in your
neighborhood? Others--Consider hobby groups or
acquaintances from social activities. Where do
you see other senior adults regularly?
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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults

• Ministering THROUGH Senior Adults
• Discovering Opportunities for Ministry
• Find senior adults in need of support.
• Form genuine friendships.

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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults
Ministering THROUGH Senior Adults Starting
Spiritual Conversations Find common ground,
share your own experiences and ask
questions. Examples My son went through some of
the same things it sounds like your daughter is
struggling with. I think faith is the thing that
helped him (and I) make it through. Does your
daughter have a relationship with God? Where
do you worship? (Continued on next
slide.)
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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults
Ministering THROUGH Senior Adults Starting
Spiritual Conversations Find common ground,
share your own experiences and ask
questions. Examples It sounds like you've had a
rough week. Would it be okay if I asked my
prayer group to pray for you on Tuesday? I won't
tell them your name, just that you've had a rough
time and could use our prayers. I'll call you
next week to see how things are going. My
relationship with God keeps me going on days like
these. What about you?
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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults
Ministering THROUGH Senior Adults Starting
Spiritual Conversations Damien met Roger at the
hospital where he is a volunteer. He was pushing
Roger's wheelchair down the hall on the way to
another test. He asked Roger, How are you
feeling today? Roger responded, I'm positive,
maybe a little weak, but I'm keeping a smile on
my face. Damien said, That's great to hear.
You know, a positive attitude is important. When
I was sick last year, I found that praying about
it helped me stay upbeat and keep everything in
perspective, you know? What helps you keep
smiling?
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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults
Ministering THROUGH Senior Adults Starting
Spiritual Conversations When Janice saw her
neighbor Fabian outside sweeping the walk, she
was surprised. In the months since Fabian moved
in, Janice seldom saw him and though she waved
and said, Hello, every chance she got, Fabian
didn't respond and walked right into his house
without answering. Today, Janice leaned across
the fence and said, It just seems like they're
falling faster than we can rake them up, doesn't
it? Fabian replied, Yes. (Continued on next
slide.)
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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults
Ministering THROUGH Senior Adults Starting
Spiritual Conversations Janice was surprised he
answered her. He put down his rake and walked
toward the fence. I'm Fabian...sorry we
haven't had a chance to get acquainted. My
life's been pretty hectic lately. What could
Janice say or do to start a conversation about
spiritual matters with Fabian?
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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults

• Ministering THROUGH Senior Adults
• Comforting and Contributing
• Show your concern for others.
• Develop small groups for individual support.

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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults

• Ministering THROUGH Senior Adults
• Praying for Seniors
• Let others know you are praying for them.
• Pray unchurched friends, neighbors and family
  will see God's power in your life.
• Pray that fellow Christians will have strength
  to do God's will.
• Pray for the senior adult ministry daily, that
  it will do God's will and reach others in this
  community for Him.

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Connecting the Church with
Unchurched Senior Adults
Praying for Senior Adults Heavenly Father, Grant
us Your vision for reaching the lost! Open our
eyes to Your strategies and wisdom, your love and
compassion. Help us not to fight what You are
doing, but to be intentional about our need to
share the saving knowledge of Christ with others.
We give ourselves to serving You in the
simplicity of devotion to Christ. We commit
ourselves to be about Your business. In Jesus'
Name, Amen.