Facing Reluctance and Motivating people to take the Senior Ministry Inventory

As you work on this project you may talk with individuals who are reluctant to take the Senior Ministry Inventory. Behind all reluctance is really the question of importance: “Is it really important for us to complete the Senior Ministry Inventory?” That is a very good question and instead of just saying “Yes” you may want to give some additional reasons.

Your congregation, community and country are getting older

During the first 30 years of this century the number of senior adults will continue to increase, until 2030 when our nation will have a greater number of adults over 65 than youth under 18. There will be about 70 million older persons, more than twice the number in 1994. The “old-old” or “frail-old” (often 85+) make up only 7% of our senior population today. However, by 2030 the old-old will increase to as much as 35% of all seniors.

The 21st Century will be the first century to deal with mass aging.

Your congregation needs to prepare to better serve a mass aging culture.

Congregations need to prepare for this eldercare challenge and potential crisis. Part of the solution is an Inventory of eldercare needs focused on the specific demographics of individual congregations and the communities they serve. Unless we know specific needs we cannot respond with specific ministry. Jesus responded to specific needs throughout His ministry and so should we.

The Senior Ministry Inventory is the most comprehensive and best tool to identify Senior needs.

The Senior Ministry Inventory is a research tool that provides an assessment of needs and preparedness for pre-retirement and retirement age individuals and their families. It is the only tool of its kind available today.

Three reports are generated for the Senior Ministry Inventory

First, every person who takes the Senior Ministry Inventory receives a confidential report identifying specific life-arenas that need attention as they grow older. This confidential report will act as an alarm clock, waking individuals to life decisions that may have been neglected for too long. Second, every congregation receives an anonymous summary report of all Inventories completed in the congregation. This congregational report will alert the church council and ministry committees to the growing need for increased Senior Ministry in their church and community. Third, a compilation report of senior needs within each synod will be provided to the judicatory. It is the purpose of the Inventory to act as an alarm clock and alert the local and national expressions of the church to focus greater attention on Senior Ministry.

Note: All reports provided are held in strict confidentiality, congregation and judicatory reports must be comprised of at least 20 units to ensure confidentiality.

Completing the Senior Ministry Inventory is very important because it provides an objective, statistical picture of the senior needs in your congregation. This is a family of faith picture that we all need to see…and to which we all need to respond.