Workshop Brochure (Plain Text Version)

[NOTE: Church Resources conducts Awareness Workshops in the synods that are implementing the Senior Ministry Inventory for Older Adults. Below is the main handout we use to demonstrate the difference between "mere aging" and "mass aging."  The large format (11" x 17") color version with graphics is available in our Online Resources section.  Below is the text alone.]

1. Mass-Aging in the 21st century

Aging concerns are not new.  The Church has always served those who are aging.  However, as we enter the 21st century the new ministry challenge is not merely aging but mass-aging. Gary Andrews, speaking at the American Society on Aging’s 45th Annual Meeting said, “The world population increases with a net addition of nearly 1 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 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 those who are in active retirement in active ministry?

The Senior Ministry Inventory helps your congregation focus on how to minister in a culture of mass-aging.

2. Why Should Congregations Prioritize Ministry to Older Adults?

There are three basic answers to this question.  First, apart from basic demographic information, and general guidelines that apply to aging, most of our congregations have little specific, objective  knowledge regarding the fastest growing segment of both their membership and the community they serve. 

Second, the effect of mass-aging on our congregations will have a massive impact on Christian ministry in the first half of the 21st century.  Our country and all main-line denominations are growing older.  For example, of those who attend ELCA congregations the median age for people age 15 to 99 is 54.  Although specific studies are not available, the median age for other national Lutheran churches (LC-MS, WELS, CLB, AFLC, etc.) is thought to be similar.

Third, God has a purpose for people of all age categories.  This is the most important reason of all.  If God has a plan and purpose for older adults and seniors then so should the church.  The church must never deny older adults the priority that God gives to them—as those who have borne his image into old age.
Due to the increased number of older adults, during the next 30 years it will be possible for many congregations to grow substantially by reaching out with programs for older adults and not only with programs for families with young children.

3. Two Arenas for Ministry to Older Adults

The first arena is the growing need for increased ministry to older adults and seniors.  The majority of all current programs and literature on older adult ministry, including the Senior Ministry Inventory, concentrates on this first arena.

The expansive growth of the senior community is the demographic magnifying lens that focuses our attention upon this first need.  Over the past 20 years the number of seniors who are over 65 increased twice as fast as the rest of the population and this senior expansion will not peak until the middle of the 21st century.  The 21st century will be a century of age marked by an even more dramatic increase in the numerical growth of the older population as baby-boomers retire beginning in 2011.

The second arena is the growing need for older adults and seniors to engage in meaningful ministry.   This is ministry by and with older adults.  One of the compelling challenges facing the 21st century church will be to engage in active ministry those who are in active retirement.  The Christian’s calling knows no retirement age.

  1. As we enter this second arena many questions present themselves. What is God’s calling and purpose for older Christians? What relational and functional role should older Christians have within our congregations?
  2. What are the implications for congregational ministry when we consider the generation gap of the 21st century—the new-young and the old-old? As we consider this second arena it is important to remember that there is no retirement for the Royal Priesthood, the priesthood of all believers.

4. Three Functional Age Categories

Ministry to older adults is not homogeneous.  One uniform, standardized program does not meet all needs.  Just as youth ministry has a variety of programs to meet the diverse needs of children, Jr. High, and Sr. High youth; likewise ministry to older adults (individuals over age 65) can also be grouped into three functional-age categories. 

Independent-Able describes individuals who are able and independent.  They walk, drive, shop, travel and conduct daily activities without concern for any conditions that may have come with age.  Transition-Able identifies those who are beginning to experience normal limitations often associated with aging.  They may choose not to drive at night, walk-up multiple flights of stairs, etc.  Dependent-Able seniors have more restrictive and limited function because of physical conditions which are often directly related to aging.  They are often the frail-old in our midst.

Congregations desiring to meet the needs of older adults need to know how many of their members are in each of these functional-age categories.

5. The Ministry Difference in Research Models?

There are two primary methods used to collect quantitative data: (1) Case-Study and; (2) Scientific Random Sample.  The Senior Ministry Inventory uses Case-Study methodology to collect data.  Data from one congregation is not mixed with data from other congregations.  Every report is unique.

Consequently, when developing ministry models and programs, Case-Study methodology is superior to Scientific Random Sample.  As management theory emphasizes, “You cannot manage what you cannot measure,” and location specific ministry requires location specific measurement.

6. What is the Senior Ministry Inventory?

The Senior Ministry Inventory is a ministry research tool of 174 questions that provides an assessment of needs and preparedness for pre-retirement and retirement age individuals, their families and congregations.  The 174 questions sample eight life-arenas and form the most comprehensive and inclusive ministry Inventory available today.

7. Who benefits from the Senior Ministry Inventory?

8. Confidentiality of Information

All information collected through the Senior Ministry Inventory is fully confidential.  No third party, including congregations, will ever be provided access to Inventory responses from specific individuals.

9. Cost to Congregations, Judicatories and Individuals

There is NO fee or implementation charge for a congregation to participate in the Senior Ministry Inventory.  A congregation is responsible to return (via UPS or FedEx) all completed Inventories, and any unused Inventories, to the Church Resources’ processing center in Huntington Beach, CA. 

There is NO fee or Inventory implementation charge for the Synod or District.  If a Synod or District requests Church Resources to conduct congregational awareness workshops then the judicatory is responsible for travel, lodging and meal expenses. 

Every individual who completes the Inventory pays a $12 processing fee.   The processing fee covers Church Resources’ expense to print the 20-page Inventory and a 9 x 12 security envelope; process and score data; print a 4-page, full color confidential report with a window return envelope; prepare a 50+ page congregation report; compile the judicatory report(s); plus warehouse, shipping and handling costs.

NOTE:  If there are individuals who truly cannot afford the $12 processing fee, and if the congregation does not have the financial resources to provide a scholarship, then Church Resources will make a complimentary grant available to that person(s).  The pastor has sole discretion as to who receives a grant.

10. How Does a Congregation Implement the Senior Ministry Inventory

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