In this post I want to write about the theology behind what Church Resources does and why you should care.  In addition to offering a unified vision for ministry to older adults, I hope to offer a reason why you and your congregation should give attention to the different needs and gifts that older adults present.

Humans have an equal distribution of original sin (Romans 3) which is what makes the gospel so universally relevant to all, both saved and non-saved alike. This is the main reason for the question, “How helpful is demographic data to congregations?” If the message is the same to both groups, how will knowing the gender, population change, density metrics, median income, etc. of your community help the proclamation of the gospel? If the remedy for sin and unbelief is to proclaim the perfect work of Christ, what else is needed but a clear voice and some ears to hear?

Poor or rich, single or married, apartment or home, rural or inner-city, all are in equal need of a clear gospel message. But young and old hear with different ears. Sure, the same words free from sin and death to both old and young, yet as we age and scripture has its way with us, we hear those words of grace with experiences of death and dying, and they are sweeter still. Age brings with it a breadth and depth of understanding that is often ignored.

The Scriptures often include both old and young in the task of the Gospel, even while making distinctions. Luke quotes Joel 2 in Acts when he writes “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” Both young and old are directed to the task of proclaiming the gospel but have been distinguished in their tasks by their age. Psalm 71 also speaks to this, “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”

Paul also deals with young and old in Timothy chapter five, “Do not rebuke an older man but exhort him as you would a father; treat younger men like brothers, older women like mothers, younger women like sisters, in all purity”. Scripture does not negate the distinction of old and young. The lines that mark old and young should be important to us because they are important in scripture. The prayer of the old sinner in Psalm 71 is that they would not die until they are able to proclaim the wonders of God to another generation.

At its core, Christianity is not concerned mostly about living, but with dying. We often forget that after a worship service, many pastors deliver the same words and sacrament to those who are dying, unable to attend: “Take and drink.” The word and sacraments are sustaining, real things, even to the end. Death and dying is the ultimate line of demarcation between the young and the old. Gospel words matter most to those who sit at the edge of heaven. The elderly who have allowed this fact to touch them hear those words “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” more deeply than I.

Have Your Elders Heard the Gospel?

The Senior Ministry Inventory is a unique research tool in that it provides data about people that can be used for and by the church for the purpose of the church. Although we include detailed demographic data for all our congregations, the congregation report is really about how the gospel message influences body and soul and how death to resurrection is understood through the work of the church.

Our Case Study survey has a different objective than merely identifying how to classify men and women into age, ethnic and income brackets. It asks that people indicate if the word they hear really lives! It focuses on assurance of salvation issues and relates them to the way life challenges our minds and bodies. Christ speaks to us about our minds and bodies when he says in Matthew 11, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

If it turns out that many in your flock do not hear the Gospel, or that it has not sunk into their understanding, no business model will help.  Demographic data will not be a launching pad for a shiny new program, but our Case Study approach could aid a serious effort to identify who needs pastoral care while there is still time to reach them.  Our data can help you identify who still needs to hear the living voice of the Gospel.

I have one more post in this series that will bring the practical and theological together and provide the way hundreds of congregations are now viewing ministry to older adults. Stay tuned.

Peace

Aaron

‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,’ Solomon tells us. Clearly, the future is in the care of our parents. Such is the responsibility, promise and hope of fatherhood. Such is the gift that our fathers give us. Our fathers bear an awesome responsibility — one that they shoulder willingly and fulfill with a love that asks no recompense. By turns both gentle and firm, our fathers guide us along the path from infancy to adulthood. We embody their joy, pain and sacrifice, and inherit memories more cherished than any possession. On Father’s Day each year, we express formally a love and gratitude whose roots go deeper than conscious memory can recite. It is only fitting that we have this special day to pay tribute to those men — our natural fathers, adoptive fathers and foster fathers — who deserve our deepest respect and devotion. It is equally fitting, as we recall the ancient and loving command to honor our fathers, that we resolve to do so by becoming ourselves parents and citizens who are worthy of honor.

Developing better ministry choices reminds me of what shopping in my Grandpa Mueller’s turn-of-the-20th-century Oklahoma general store was like. What folks needed or wanted might have been in there somewhere, but finding it called for digging through dozens of bins, baskets and barrels – with a sharp eye. If they couldn’t find exactly what they were after, those pioneer farmers would then try to figure out how they might adapt what they did find. Then, as now, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Robust parishes, pastors and leaders are creative adapters. They are skilled at making do with what they have or making what they have do.

Dr. Mueller has been involved in Older Adult Ministry for many years. We hope you will enjoy him as much as we do.

Peace

What you will find when you look at all these services is that they are packaging US Census data into attractive reports. Most let you drill through the data making it easier to find specific information. All this data is based on the Census departments long form questionnaire, here is the sample. The long form is given out every ten years and has 53 questions that focus on your age, gender, ethnicity, income and living situation. From these 53 questions all the above solution providers will give you reports, and some will try to provide interpretation.

But how helpful is demographic data to churches?

Demographic analysis is interesting, very interesting. In our Congregation Report, we include a 16+ page demographic study (as an appendix to the 80 page main report) free of charge because it is so interesting. Although the data will tell you many things, it cannot replace an evangelism strategy, or the message that accompanies your congregations efforts. These resources promise so much, but in the end can’t deliver because the census does not ask questions that deal with real need.

Unlike your local Target or Costco, your congregation has a mission, not a mission statement. The universal mission for the church is to preach Christ to your block group, tract, city, county, state, country and world. We also know that with the universal mission comes a universal message, Christ Crucified. Freedom from sin, forgiveness, release, the happy exchange, the gospel is the one message that is for members and non-members alike. This one message works because it deals with every man, woman and child in the same way, through sin.

The condition of sin is the foundation for all our proclamation, education, evangelism, and world missions efforts. If a service does not directly speak to this condition with an answer that can provide a solution, then no Census data program or service will help.

If you want to read more about the Case Study nature of the Senior Ministry Inventory click here and here. You can see some sample questions here. As you read through this material, you should begin to see the major difference between straight demographic analysis and questions designed to help answer the major reason the church exists.

There are more reasons our research tool is superior for congregational use, but you will have to wait until next week for that update. Have a wonderful memorial day weekend.

Peace

The following two pie charts exemplify the ministry advantage of Case Study research. Each pie chart illustrates how a specific congregation responded to question #114 in the Senior Ministry Inventory which asks: “Which statement below best describes your understanding of eternal salvation?” These two congregations were of similar size; they had a similar number of older-adults complete the Inventory; they were geographically close; and they were both members of the same national denomination. Only case-study research will provide an accurate profile and description of congregational needs… and congregation profiles vary greatly.

Case Study Congregation #1

Case Study Congregation #2

Imagine preaching to each of these congregations. Only Case Study research can provide an objective assessment of needs and gifts at a particular place.

Throughout the Bible, the role of older men and women of faith, both in Israel and the Church, was essential to the community’s understanding and rootedness in God. Older saints were not merely purveyors of good advice because they had been around the block more than once, they were the ones who trained the community how to enter the presence of God.

Listen to Leviticus 19:32, “You shall rise up before the grayheaded, and honor the face of an aged, and you shall revere your God: I am the Lord.” Our posture in the presence of age is connected with our honor of God’s nature.

Customs of respect and deference to older people are rooted in God and the fear of God. And the loss of these manners of respect from baby-boomers and teenagers is directly related to their small view of God and the contemporary foreignness of the idea of the fear of God. If God has become a buddy, you can hardly expect people to stand when an old man enters the room.
John Piper, Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church

I see this as a major category for older adults in the church, what are other ways that God uses “grey hair” for His purpose?

1. First, make a decision.  Receive the approval of your Church Council or appropriate Board or Committee. If you want to make a presentation to a group in your Church, you can download materials from our website by clicking on the Resources tab at the top of the homepage.
2. Second, contact Church Resources.  Phone, e-mail, or use the website to indicate your desire to implement the Senior Ministry Inventory.

Our staff will help determine the quantity of Inventories you need, and confirm the 4-weeks you have selected for your implementation. You will receive your Inventories 2-weeks prior to your start date.
An Inventory Resource Packet will be sent to your congregation that details all necessary steps for a successful implementation. Publicity and educational materials are included.

We recommend that you invite 100% of all individuals in your congregation, who are 50 years-old or older, to take the Inventory.  Although individuals in their 50’s are not chronologically “old”, they are part of the generation that is becoming care-givers for aging parents and other family members.  The Senior Ministry Inventory is a great help to care-giving families as well as to seniors.

1. The Bible teaches that God has a purpose for people in all age categories.
   Do you agree with that proposition?  I’m confident you do and my confidence is based on never finding a Christian who disagreed.  In all of Church Resources’ workshops and training seminars there is 100% agreement 100% of the time.  God has a purpose for people in all age categories.  Of course the logical consequence of this first proposition is the second proposition.
2. There is no retirement age in the ‘royal priesthood,’ the ‘priesthood of all believers.’
   Since God has a purpose for people in all age categories, he will continue to enable and empower his people to accomplish his purpose… independent of their age.
3. Life as an older adult can be a time for continued learning, productivity and meaningful ministry.  Seniors do not only seek or desire “busy work,” but also meaningful kingdom work.
   We need to be clear that “busy work” can be meaningful kingdom work… busy work needs to get done even in the Kingdom of God.  What do we mean by “busy work”?  Sharpening pew pencils, dusting pews, folding bulletins, arranging hymnals and bibles in the pew racks….  Do older adults form the available volunteer labor force to get these jobs done?  “Yes.”  Do they do these tasks willingly and joyfully?  “Yes.”  However, are they adequately challenged by these tasks?  In almost all cases, “No.”
4. Older adults seek new ways to answer life’s basic questions:  Who am I?  Why am I here?  Where am I going?  Is God with me?
   These are the questions we ask in 7th and 8th grade confirmation programs.  But older adults and seniors also ask these same questions, and they often have an increased urgency because older adults often face these questions in the midst of an end-of-life crisis. Seniors are confronted by gigantic challenges to faith.  When you bury a spouse, when you are the last living sibling in your family, when your body falls apart so you can’t even fold a bulletin and get the corners to match, when the church has no use for you and when you have outlived many of your friends… the consequences of these senior life events are not merely sociological and psychological… they are spiritual and affect faith.
5. A high percentage of seniors are un-churched and do not know Christ.  Senior evangelism needs to become a high priority for the 21st century church.
   How many specialized church sponsored ministries and programs can we name that specifically focus on challenging youth with the gospel of Jesus Christ and his call to discipleship? We have programs for the very young.  Pre-school children watch cartoon series VeggieTales and Davey and Goliath.  Then we have grade specific Sunday School materials, Confirmation curriculums, retreats, camps, youth choirs, church sponsored sporting programs, scouting, national youth conventions, special bible translations with youth-oriented application questions… and the list goes on and on.

   But how many specialized church sponsored ministries and programs can we name that specifically focus on challenging older adults with the gospel of Jesus Christ and his call to discipleship?  Are there any evangelism programs that focus on reaching the fastest growing segment of our culture?  Senior evangelism needs to become a high priority for the 21st century church.

   Why do we need to focus on the evangelization of older adults and seniors?  Because, and this leads us to our next Christian proposition…

6. Sin doesn’t lessen with age.  The longer a stain remains the deeper it sinks.  Only Christ can both forgive and cleanse (I John 1:9).
   Our culture promotes a national myth regarding sin.  One half of the myth is that teenage years are the Velcro years—sin sticks to them.  However, the other half of the sin-myth is that older adult and senior years are the Teflon years—sin just slides off them.

   But older adults and seniors know this is not true.  The process of aging doesn’t lessen the attacks of Satan—or the allure of the world—or the desires of our flesh.  Older adults are deeply troubled and bothered by sin.  Satan does not lessen his attacks because of our age.

   Further, older Christians are the ones who need to be trained and equipped to evangelize their contemporary non-Christian neighbors and friends.  Older adults and seniors who are troubled by sin need to know Christ who alone can forgive and cleanse from sin.  But this will happen only if we make evangelism to older adults a top priority.

7. The Median Age in Christian churches requires that we prioritize ministry to, with and by older adults.
   In 2002 the Lilly Foundation funded a study of the median age in protestant denominations.  Various national churches participated.  Individuals, 15 and older, who attended church were asked to complete a 4-page survey.  While the median age varied, depending on the church body, there was a striking similarity as depicted in the comparison chart below. This median age study is extremely helpful in identifying the two large  groups that challenge the ministry of all congregations.



The first group that challenges the priorities of the church are those NOT represented on the chart.  Notice all the space below the national median line for those who are between the ages of 15 and 39.  This space illustrates the reason why congregations have made a high priority to reach out to youth and families with young children.  The church has been targeting youth and family ministry ever since the mid-1960’s when Dr. Merton Strommen and Search Institute compiled their data that was later published in The Study of Generations (1970) and The Five Cries of Youth (1974).

The second group that challenges the priorities of the church are the ones who ARE represented on the chart.  They are the ones who are represented by the orange bars that extend above (way above) the national median line.  These orange bars represent the need for the church to add a second main priority to our ministry agenda.  We need to prioritize ministry to, with and by seniors.

For example, notice the bar that represents individuals between the ages of 70 and 74.  Approximately 9% of those who attend church fall in this age range… however only 4% of the general U. S. population are in this age category.  Church attendance is two times greater in this age range as the national median.

Also notice that the aging of the church, for most congregations, will get greater every year.  Mass-aging is taking place within the general population and the church is running ahead, way ahead, of the aging curve.

8. Every congregation needs to develop a strategy of how they will minister to the fastest growing segment of their congregation and the community they serve.
   The 21st century will be a “century of age” just as the 20th century was a “century of youth.”  Every individual, family, congregation and national church needs to engage in a guided assessment that helps them prioritize the older adult needs to which they should give attention.  Healthy, active, growing congregations in the 21st century need to gather information on their community of older adults and families of seniors.

   What short and long range plans should be implemented as congregations face the challenges of evangelizing an aging population in the 21st century?  What facility, budget and staffing considerations need to be implemented?  What ecumenical cooperation and networking among congregations is possible as they fulfill their commission as Christ’s apostles, sent-ones, or representatives (apòstolos, gk.; shäliach, heb.) in the 21st century?

   The Senior Ministry Inventory provides the objective data that a congregation needs so they can develop a strategy for older adult ministry and outreach.

• Richard and Judith Reuning have written three books that can be used for devotionals and small group settings. Visit the website of Life Crossings to learn more about their resources and services.

From Autumn of Christian Life

A powerful part of this discussion resource is that it helps each participant to look seriously at the changes, the losses, the sufferings that we all endure, but it does so by first looking through the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ Jesus!

This is a book about hope and joy, and God’s grace through each of our days continues to seep out from every page. …

• Association of Lutheran Older Adults (ALOA) has some resources available to individuals and congregations. In addition to their LutherHostels and Senior Fest their website has a list of resources on Older Adult themes.
• CASA is a premier training and equipping source for the Church’s ministry to midlife and beyond age men and women, conducting leadership conferences, training events, retreats, and Life Celebration events (at which nearly 100 Christian leaders have been honored with the Heritage of Faithfulness Award). CASA is engaged in a vital website partnership with Christianity Today where resources, ideas and dialog are posted.

If you have a product or service that highlights ministry to older adults we would like to hear about it. Drop us an email at info@elderministry so we can let others know about what you do.

Yesterday we posted about the differences between mere-aging and mass-aging. Following are some statistics that illustrate the implications associated with mass-aging. Tomorrow we will post some biblical propositions regarding aging. Stay tuned.

• By 2015, of those over 65, the largest population segment in the U. S. will be single women 85 years old or older.  For the next 10-15 years the church must be prepared to provide an increased ministry to widows of the Builder Generation.
• By 2030 there will be more people over 65 than under 18 in the U. S.  The 20th century was a century of youth.  The 21st century will be a century of age.  Every national election between now and 2030 will be dominated by concerns of older-adults.  Every state, county, municipality and all major corporations are engaged in extensive studies regarding the implications of mass-aging.  The church at the national, regional judicatory and congregation level must do the same.
• By 2030, 35% of all those over 65 will actually be over 85.  However, for every 100 individuals 60-64 there will be 80 people in their 90’s.  And we know that many of them will be in our congregations.  This is mass-aging and the implications for Christian ministry are staggering.
• 15% of seniors today have kids that are seniors… the oldest-old are being cared for by the young-old.  The young-old are different from the new-old.  The new-old are the baby boomers.  The young-old are those in their 70’s who are taking care of those in their 80’s and 90’s.  These 70-year old care-givers need help themselves.  In facing the challenges of senior ministry, the church must specifically target the needs of care-givers.  Aging doesn’t only affect the individual, aging affects the individual and their family and friends who are care-givers.
• Today’s adults in their 40’s and 50’s represent the first generation that will likely spend more years taking care of their parents than taking care of their children.
• According to the U. S. Census, 1/3 of all baby boomers will reach age 65 with a total net worth under $ 1,000.  Mass-aging in the 21st century brings with it a financial wake-up call and the potential for mass poverty.

These projections have been gleaned from various sources:  The U. S. Department of Aging, U. S. Census Bureau, AARP, and numerous books and studies on aging.

Gary Andrews, speaking at the 45th annual meeting in 2003 of the American Society of Aging (ASA) said,

The world population increases with a net addition of nearly one-million people age 60 or older every month. Additionally, two-thirds (2/3) of all people in human history who have ever reached age 65 or older, and three-fourths (3/4) of all people in human history who have ever reached age 75 or older – are living today.

That represents Mass-Aging! A challenge and opportunity that has never been faced before by any nation or church in any culture.

Reflecting on this century of mass-aging, the National Council on Aging reports that one-third (1/3) of Americans in their seventies consider themselves middle-aged, and nearly half (44%) of Americans age 65 and older, describe the present as the best years of their lives. How will the Church respond to the current challenge to engage in active ministry those who are in active retirement? The Senior Ministry Inventory helps your congregation focus on how to minister in a culture of mass-aging.

This runs counter to much of what passes for decision making in business practice. When the church business follows corporate decision making, it follows the same fate. For many, Monday’s mark the start of a day of meetings that ask the question, “how will we move forward?” Whatever the product or service they offer, “how will we market it better?” Around the country, this is mimicked at our church council, deacon or elder meetings. The subject may change, but the questions share similar structure. Evangelism, foreign missions, proclamation of the gospel, filling pew seats, boy scouts, AA the list goes on.

The discussion is changed when objective data is brought in to illumine, which then shows the opportunities (solution) and not just the problem. Objective data is everywhere, we base most of our decisions on real, non-changing facts. Whether they are large or small decisions, evidence is what we demand.

Our senior population is increasing daily, many of those reading this would say that is an understatement. You are right. In America another man or woman turns 60 every 10.9 seconds. Our churches are dealing with Mass Aging and a country that has few ideas that bring any eternal help. Real help can only come from knowing what the needs are, and an objective look at those needs is the logical way to move from problem to lasting solution.

The Senior Ministry Inventory gives individuals and congregations this objective picture that can provide the lasting help that is needed. It is the most comprehensive research tool for Older Adults in use today. If you congregation is asking the questions about what to do about Mass Aging, then our research tool is a great first step. The Senior Ministry Inventory provides the right data for quality, timely decisions.

Give us a call for more information, or drop us an email at info@elderministry.com

Peace

So why are we writing this to you? We want to be a help to congregations in this economic troubled time. Church Resources has had the pleasure of serving congregations sine 1997 and by God’s grace we will continue for many years to come. For those who do not know us or about what we do, let me share a brief history with you.

Church Resources serves the church by helping congregations and individuals understand the implications for Mass Aging. For almost ten years we have offered a research tool called the Senior Ministry Inventory that helps a congregation understand the needs and gifts of people over the age of 50. The survey is a Case Study of each congregation that participates, which means that the data provided gives an accurate picture of that particular congregation. The data of one congregation is not mixed or grouped with another, thus it gives an accurate picture of the needs and gifts in a particular place. It is designed to be given to all adults age 50+ in a congregation and three reports come from the collected data.

First, ever individual receives a fully Confidential Report highlighting those needs that should be attended to as they grow older. Legal, medical, faith, educational, health, living situations are all covered in the survey, and recommendations are given for each of these areas for individuals to prepare as they grow older. Second, congregations receive a Congregation Summary Report of all the needs and gifts contained within those participating in the inventory. And Third, the sponsoring Judicatory (Synod or District) also receive a Judicatory Report of all participating congregations and the unique needs that are shared among those congregations. The data that comes from the survey is used by individuals, congregations and judicatories to understand how the church can understand and influence Mass Aging in America.

So why is a research tool like the Senior Ministry Inventory a good idea in a downturn economy? First, because our research tool is Case Study and not Scientific Random Sample in makeup, it has immediate and direct application to the needs of particular people in a particular place. This means that a congregation can go directly from the data, to implementing ideas that can help people where they actually need help. This objective look at your particular congregation will allow you to know exactly where to place your efforts, whether in social service programs or attending to the varied faith situations that we find ourselves dealing with day to day.

If you would like to know more about the Senior Minsitry Inventory and how it can help your congregation understand the varied needs of those older adults in your congregation please start by contacting us. We are here to help you through the easy process of this case study for your particular situation. Join the many hundreds of congregations that have taken action in arena of older adult ministry.