Robert W. Chism
Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center
Research confirms the benefit of older adult members
“God’s plan is ageless and unbiased” is an expressive new midlife direction tagline of Forerunner of Faith, a second half intergenerational ministry at Village Church of Gurnee, Illinois. Society along with the Church is obsessed with youth, even with societal aging. It is generally accepted that age is an empty variable which does not consider gender, race, disability, health, fitness, education, longevity, or the choices one has made concerning nutrition, smoking, drinking alcohol, exercise, and religious conviction which impacts one’s health, vitality, well being, and ultimate mortality. Fortunately, greater awareness, understanding, sensitivity, positive attitudes between the generations, and share of mind is evolving through cutting edge research, education, conferences and publications by Institute for American Church Growth, Barna Research, CASA Academy, CASA Network, and Dr Amy Hanson.
The Boomers are fast becoming “older adults”, though they shun and detest the label. Yet “older adult” is considered to be the politically correct designation for them, since it now includes three categories: Middle Adults (50-69); Seniors (70-79); and Elderly (80+).
Based on a new type of older adult, one that are active, healthy, and capable of making significant contributions, as well as a bold new strategy that values each generation, there is great potential for new approaches to intergenerational ministry and to enlist the talents and passions of those in the second half of life.
Research confirms the benefit of older adult members:
Giving: contribute 70% of the average church budget
Stability: change their address 50% as often as the national average
Volunteer: spend 2 to 3 times as many available hours than any other group
Kingdom Building: is the fastest growing population segment through 2040
Dr. Herb Shore of the Jewish Retirement Center in Dallas, Texas developed categories to differentiate appropriate leadership focus for each group by the church:
Go-Go: They need to be “challenged” to pursue Kingdom goals.
Slow-Go: They require ministry “adjustments” to allow participation.
Can’t-Go: “Planning” will enable them to make contributions.
Won’t Go: “Focus groups, training, and relationship building” can evangelize this group. This speaks volumes for the need to redesign programs or create new positions
Based on the uncertainties of today’s society, older adult population explosion over the next 30 years, and given that over half (58%) in this group have no religious affiliation or won’t go, the need for older adult evangelize (in and outreach) program redesign or new position creation is apparent.
During the 20th century, longevity has increased by 20 years. How or even if, an individual benefits from these added years depend on the result of personal lifestyle choices. Inactivity, nutrition, smoking, drinking alcohol, religious conviction, impacts one’s health, well being, and ultimate mortality. The need for new older adult wellness ministry creation seems obvious.
Older adults have more personal inherited wealth than any other group. Since approximately 88 percent of their wealth is tied up in non-cash assets, the need for stewardship redesign or new position creation of generosity and benevolence development should be clear.
Older adult research reveals a bottom up leadership preference, upfront full disclosure, distain for menial roles or ageist attitudes, and an impatience tendency. Church leaders may need to be more open, receptive to new ideas, willing to let go more, share responsibility, and involve members more in the decision-making. Areas of redesign may include: Demographic research and planning; Older adult evangelism; Generational connectivity; Older adult and youth ministry staff budget parity; Annual goal development, measurement, and reporting; Accountability of both membership and church leadership; Annual business meeting marketing and Digital communication.
Some churches have developed older adult ministry positions that are serving senior and elder adults well, but are not attractive to middle adults. New positions need to be designed to foster wellness, evangelize adults in midlife; and cultivate generosity/benevolence in this group. Whether your church is small or large, the question is not is a second half ministry position affordable; it is rather, can senior pastors afford not to consider multiple new ministry positions given societal aging, healthy longevity, and middle adult faith formation?
In conclusion, what can you exemplify for the Lord?
- Life Course Ministry
- Ageless Evangelism
- Successful-Biblical Aging
- Positive Longevity Attitude
- Intergenerational Sensitivity
- Generosity and Benevolent Life Style
For a copy of Forerunners of Faith’s philosophy and structure; and/ or Pastor of Development and Middle Adult Ministry position description, e-mail chism.w.robert@comcast.net.
Robert W. Chism is a member of the Builder generation and “a practicing Boomer without a license.” Having retired in 2005, he has refocused his 24/7 energy toward midlife and beyond ministry and applied gerontology. He is a member of Catalyst of Lake County; CASA Network and serves on their prayer team; and is enrolled in CASA Academy. Bob is Chairman of Forerunners of Faith. Bob and Karen, his wife of 47 years, reside in Antioch, Illinois; have three adult children and six grandchildren.