Archive for January, 2011

You may have just destroyed your first AARP card notification.

Or you may be a boomer turning 65 who’s admitting for the first time that you are over 50. So now that you’ve reached this unforgiveable milestone, what’s next? Welcome to the Worlds of 50+!

If you’ve been living in a 50+ Dream World up to now, it’s about to pop. My suggestion is to let it go. Give up on the fifty-foot yacht and the fifty-foot put. Chances are they are not going to happen anyway, and even if they did, they wouldn’t make you sleep better. It’s time to get real about aging while you still have time.

Welcome to the 50+ World of Christ-followers. At first glance it may look a lot like that other world, but trust me, it is as different as day is to night. It’s costly, but it’s worth it. I’ve thrown pretty much everything into it myself, but no regrets. It turns out that it is the most fulfilling kind of life ever!

My idea of aging is couched in my faith in Jesus Christ. Hard times or good, the best of times are always in the moment and just ahead of me. Today and tomorrow, He promises and I believe. The ordinary becomes extraordinary. This 50+ kind of life is so … eternal! Which means, as a Christ-follower, I’m not winding down. I’m just getting started. Jesus says that he is the “Vine” and I’m a “branch.” In vineyards, young vines may produce twice as many wine grapes, but older vines offer a grape that is richer, more sought after in flavor. Think about it when you worry that your “production rate” falling off with age. Less can still be more in the end.

There is a danger that the World of 50+ Christ-followers can easily get lost in that “other world.” What does that world (or even the Church) expect of you? Maybe NOTHING. Not now. You are too busy. Too old to make a difference. Too stuck in a rut. But not forever, right? One day you tell yourself that you’ll be free. Retired. Ready to play, travel, really live! Yet there is so much that is wrong with the world—things you don’t like. What if after a certain age the world is just a big disappointment? By the time you figure it out, you may already have missed the best of the World of 50+ Christ-followers.

Meanwhile, Jesus has this great idea: “make disciples of all nations.” It was such a great idea that he turned it into a command for his followers: “GO … make disciples of all nations.” Jesus sees a world out there. What does that world mean to you? How often do you think of things or people outside your home? your church? your town? It depends on which of two worlds you are living in.

So, here’s your assignment. Think of an idea that will change the world—and put it into action. Imagine investing your time, talent and treasures in a few of your Dream World peers and in those following after you among the generations. Imagine the change you can make … the influence for Jesus you can be … and the lives of your family and friends who will embrace eternity with delight because of your influence. Imagine living the best half of your life like this. Jesus is pulling for you.

Welcome to the World of 50+ Christ-followers!




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SMALL BITES … ADVENTURES IN DOWNSIZING

Jan Kinzel

Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

For I know the thoughts I have towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope…this from Jeremiah, the “weeping prophet”!

Ralph Waldo Emerson said words to the effect that it’s not what lies in the past or what lies ahead but what lies within that count.  The spotlight of downsizing certainly reveals the character within – good and bad.  This light shines on faith, hope, trust, optimism and the like; dispels the shadows where some of the weaknesses can hide and fool you; and exposes issues thought to have been long ago developed and taken for granted – trusted tools relied upon for living the Christian life. The ambush is surprising!  A reassessment of faith and values must be made – returning to the basics of faith in God and the simplicity of the Gospel truths and the refreshing of your own personal relationship with God.

Who gave me some hope to cling to when I first learned of the need to change most of my life?  Not whom you might think. It took me a while to understand the Jeremiah 29 verse and accept that my future had not been wiped-out and even longer to examine my values and what a mess I was.   In the meantime, the sales staff at the condominium complexes helped me to look forward.  Because of the many months of experience they had in helping people, like me, to leave behind a well-worn lifestyle and exchange it all for a new way to live, they had excellent words of hope and advice.  While I was looking back and dwelling on all I was about to lose, they told me that once I “put my key into my place and began living there I would love it.”  I really clung onto that.  And they were right.

While we still have that experience to come, there is a lot to be accomplished beforehand.  It’s exciting to plan our “new life”.  I know it will be different from the life in which I had become so comfortable.  There will be some limitations because of space but there will also be freedoms for the same reason.  I have named our new place “A Shining Little Jewel” and am setting out to make it just that.

MENU

It’s What Lies Within Cabbage Rolls

Jewel Tone Applesauce

Sparkling Cider

Snickerdoodles

RECIPES

Cabbage Rolls

2 heads of green cabbage

2 cans Italian flavored or plain diced tomatoes

1 egg

1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning

1 ½  teaspoon salt

½  teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 ½  lb. ground chuck beef

1 ½ lb. ground turkey

½  lb. Jimmy Dean sage sausage

1 cup Minute rice

1 medium finely diced yellow onion

10 bay leaves

10 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

1 cup milk, heated

1 can tomato sauce

1 small can tomato paste mixed with 1 quart warm water

Core 2 heads of cabbage, place in a large pot of salted boiling water and blanche for 4 minutes.

Remove from water and drain, cored side down on paper towels to soften the leaves.  Cool.

Prepare a Dutch oven, roasting pan or casserole dish by spraying it with Pam and covering the bottom with Italian flavored or plain diced canned tomatoes.

Lightly beat the egg with a fork in a large bowl.  Add Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.  To this, add meats, rice, onion and warmed milk.  Combine all of this with your hands.  (I like to wear disposable gloves or baggies.)  Don’t overmix as the meat will lose texture and become ‘mushy’.

Carefully separate the cabbage leaves.  Fill each one with the meat mixture and form rolls.  They will vary in size.  Place each roll in the diced tomato base, adding more of the diced tomatoes, 2 garlic cloves and a couple of bay leaves in between layers.  Top with remaining tomatoes;  pour tomato sauce  and the tomato paste /water mixture over all of the cabbage rolls.

Cover with lid or aluminum foil and bake in a 3750 oven until meat is cooked and rice is tender.  (These can also be cooked on the range or in a crockpot.)  Serve in pasta bowls with bread for dipping.  Freeze the leftovers in plastic containers.

Jewel Tone Applesauce

10 Granny Smith apples

10 Rome Beauty apples

Red apple peels

2 cinnamon sticks

1 cup granulated sugar

Juice of small lemon

1 cup water

Peel, core and rough chop the apples.  Combine all ingredients in a heavy bottomed pot – such

as a Dutch oven.   Cook over medium-high heat until apples are cooked down to the consistency

you prefer.  The red peels will give a lovely pink cast to the sauce.  Remove the peels and

cinnamon sticks before serving.  Serve hot, warm or chilled.

Sparkling cider over ice and some Snickerdoodle cookies are great accompaniments to this dinner.

Tip:  Encourage others as you would have them encourage you

A word fitly spoken …….apples of gold………Proverbs 25:11

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Sunmee decided to do something special for her grandpa.

Hi, Mr. Tanneberg. My name is Sunmee Huh. I am a senior at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, MD. I enjoyed watching your video on GOCASA.ORG website. Thank you for what you are doing.

My grandpa Sam immigrated to the US about 40 years ago with my grandma and my mom (8 years old, then) from South Korea. He has three children and 6 grand children, and I am the oldest grandchild.

One day after school, I saw my grandpa having a difficult time using a popular Internet search engine. So, earlier this year, I created a senior-friendly search engine called Good50, because I thought it was unfair he had gone through so much yet had to struggle with something most people don’t think twice about. The search engine features large font for easy readability and also has a high contrast version for people with low vision. Safe search is always on. Therefore, sites containing explicit content are automatically excluded from web search results. As far as know, Good50 is the ONLY search engine specifically designed for seniors (I may be wrong.).

After the site’s launch in January of this year, the Washington Post featured Good50 and AARP wrote a short story my grandpa and me in April’s bulletin. You can find out more about Good50 at www.good50.com/about.html

I created the site to help our senior citizens and those with disabilities to have an easier time searching the web, as well as to help charities. Now, I am so glad that many people are able to benefit from the site because they know about it. Many organizations such as the Helen Keller International (http://hki.org/get-involved/learn-about-donating/other-ways-to-help/), Lexington Public Library(http://www.lexpublib.org/search-engines), California’s Buena Park Senior Activity Center (http://www.bplegacy.org), Traverse City Senior Center in Michigan (http://www.tcseniorcenter.com/links.html) etc. provides a link on their websites.

Would you please give me a lending hand in spreading Good50 among seniors and older adults? A short information about Good50 in your newsletter would be wonderful. Any help within your reach would be deeply appreciated.

Please let me know if you have any questions, thoughts and comments. It would be very much appreciated. Please feel free to call me at 301-528-4303(h) or e-mail me at sunmee@good50.com.

With His Love,

Sunmee Huh

sunmee@good50.com



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Saving Little-fish by Richard Cary

Saving Little-Fish is a great “grandparent read.” When I sent out the complete manuscript to family readers the results were gratifying. Some of the children read it by themselves, but mostly parents read the book to their kids. It is a book targeting readers ages 8-12 (the POV is that of a 10 year-old girl, with a strong secondary character in her twin brother). A number of adults have read it and liked it (re. Narnia, written for kids but adored by adults!). Now, my book isn’t quite that adorable, but I think you get my point. Autographed copies can be obtained by using the order form on the website.

Otherwise it’s available through Amazon.com.

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Variations on 50+ age Ministry Models in North America

Robert W Chism

Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

A new decade provides opportunity for local church leaders to make a difference in achieving the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

There are many factors which tend to separate us or influence our behavior, including gender, race, generation, health, disability, culture, education, economical status, and denomination. Since the arrival of ‘teenagers’ in the 1960’s the local church has experienced constant change. Examples of major change include societal aging; longevity; life course evangelism, benevolence development; and the need to maximize undesignated income and minimize the salary and benefit line of the local church statement.

The church has not approached societal aging intentionally. As a result, neither adequate strategy nor structure is in place for Baby Boomer in the local church. One fits all life cycle models are insufficient to recruit, train and place this enormous population segment based on the diversity found in older adults in general.

Thanks to better medical and health knowledge with intelligent individual choices 20 years or more of longevity has been added to the average life span. This creates the need for local church leader guidance of this defuse age segment for a length of time heretofore uncharted.

Intergenerational synergy, financial planning, mentoring, parental care, grandparenting, grief share, addictive behavior, military family support, wellness ministries are a few opportunities to make a difference.

Intentional encore generation evangelism staring with ‘in reach’ is one of the greatest areas for church growth for the next three decades based on trend analysis. “The large Boomer generation will become more receptive to the gospel. Our data is anecdotal for now, but we are seeing indications that the Boomers may actually become more interested in spiritual matters in general and Christianity specifically. If so, this trend will be counter to other trends, where adults tend to become less receptive to the gospel as they age. The Baby Boomers have tried it all and found no joy. They may likely turn to the hope of the gospel” according to by LifeWay Christian Resources. © 2010 ChurchCentral.com

Every congregation celebrating 25 years or more of existence should be pursuing benevolence and generosity development. A foundation with a director is both a spiritual and economic necessity for member estate plans and maintenance capital reserve budgeting.

A business manager is a necessity in today’s economy. Making do with less is a reality. A professional business manager position is not a cost, rather an annuity which keeps on paying for itself. Cost efficient suggests include maximizing directors, part timers, volunteers and forming alliances with organizations committed to inspiring, educating, and empowering midlife and beyond age Christ-followers in servant leadership, and spiritual growth. The following list provides a few alliances opportunities:

2nd ½ for Him ministries of Converge Worldwide exists to equip and encourage leaders who can develop powerful and effective ministries that address the needs and opportunities of an increasingly diverse group of age 50+ adults.

American Health Rankings/Individual Role provides information for the individual about the factors that affect health and tools to improve habits that can make a difference in individual longevity.

Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries of the United Methodist Church provides quality resources and valuable training support to help equip leaders (both clergy and laity) in their ministry of faith development with midlife and older adults.

Christian Association of Serving Adult (CASA) Ministries Network exists to prepare (equip, heal, mend) God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up … Ephesians 4:12 NIV

Christian Grandparenting Network A Christian organization devoted to challenging those in midlife and beyond to finish the race well by living for future generations, helping individuals and churches cultivate “intentionality” in inter-generational ministry by strengthening the grandparent-grandchild relationship.

Christ Together Helping the Church bring Gospel to the Community.

Dr Amy Hanson is a speaker, author, and consultant with a passion to help older adults discover a life of Christ-centered meaning and purpose.

Dr Charles Arn is a speaker, author, and President of Church Growth, Inc, which attempts to enhance the efforts of local churches, regional judicatories, and denominations in the task of disciple making through seminars, study kits, books, video, and other ways and resources that facilitate worldwide the Great Commission and the Great Commandment so that churches may better achieve their full potential in making disciples.

Evangelical Churches of America exist to glorify God by multiplying healthy churches among all people. EFCA Encore Ministries involves: Reaching, equipping, and unleashing 50+ adults for the cause of Christ during their “encore” years of life.

Finishers Project provides Christian adults with information, challenge, and pathways for discovering and processing opportunities in missions — short-term or as a next career.

Senior Life Style is a web magazine for making the most of the ‘Second Half’.

Prime on Line Senior Adult Ministries of the Assemblies of God USA is a website reference source for those in the second half of life.

The Center for Christian Leadership of Anderson University School of Theology (Church of God/Anderson) provides an online Aging Ministries certificate (50 CEU) program.

Young Enough to Serve (YES) is a new and movement promoting exceptional stewardship of better health, extended longevity, gifts, and life experience of an adult in life’s second half.

At the 2010 CASA Network Leadership Conference in Atlanta, GA Dr. Amy Hanson presented 4 decade changing strategies for the local church from her new book, Baby Boomers and Beyond: Respond to diversity among the older adult population, Integrate the older adults among the entire Church, Make evangelism and spiritual growth priorities, Emphasize service. In her book, she suggests a short list of where to discover encore generation leaders. Ministries can thrive under the leadership of a boomer from the business world (catalytic leader). I’ve also seen a number of dynamic and innovative ministries across the country being led by women as well as former worship pastors and even children’s pastors. The key is to find someone who is passionate about reaching this generation, has a teachable spirit, and can train others to lead and serve in the ministry.

The following list provides examples of successful encore generation ministry and networking opportunity for decade changing exchange of creative idea:

Beaverton Foursquare Church (www.beavertonfoursquare.org) 13565 SW Walker Rd, Beaverton, OR 97005 (503) 644-9104 Mike Kinsman. Pastoral Services: Encore! (The Bridge & Prime Timers) (503) 644-9104 x133 Mgkinsman@beavertonfoursquare.org

Calvary Assembly Church (www.calvaryorlando.org) 1199 Clay Street, Winter Park, FL 32789 (407) 644-1199 Mike Martin, A.R.K. (Acts of Random Kindness), Sonlighters Ministries mikemartin@calvaryorlando.org

Central Baptist Church (www.cbccrossville.org) 1346 South Main Street, Crossville, TN 38555 931-484-8426 Billy Kemp, 50+ Adult Pastor billy@cbccrossville.org

Central Baptist Church
1346 South Main Street
Crossville, TN 38555
phone – 931.484.8426Central Baptist Church
1346 South Main Street
Crossville, TN 38555
phone – 931.484.8426Central Baptist Church
1346 South Main Street
Crossville, TN 38555
phone – 931.484.8426

First Free in Rockford (www.firstfreerockford.org) 2223 N Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61107 (815) 877-7046 Chuck Rife, Pastor of Senior Adults & Caring Ministries chuckr@firstfreerockford.org, Tom Mathisen Director of MAXlife maxlife@firstfreerockford.org

First Evangelical Free Church (www.evfreefullerton.com) 2801 Brea Blvd, Fullerton, CA 91835 714-529-5544 John Coulombe, Pastor, ‘Experienced Adults’ john.coulombe@evfreefullerton.com

New Covenant Bible Church (www.newcovenantbible.org)1800 46th St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 (319) 393-3522 James Wartian, Mature Adults/Missions Pastor james.wartian@newcovenantbible.org, Tye Male, Middle Adult Pastor tye.male@newcovenantbible.org

Park Cities Baptist Church (www.pcbc.org) 3933 Northwest Parkway, Dallas, TX 75225 214.860.1500 Dorothy Wilkinson, Prime Time Ministry 214.860.1535 dmwilkinson@pcbc.org Dr Brian Newman, Minister of Married Adults 214-860-1536 bknewman@pcbc.org

Whittier Area Community Church (www.wacc.net) 8175 Villa Verde Drive, Whittier, CA 90605 (562) 945-4500

Hal Lentz, Lead Pastor of Development and New Horizons, (562) 945-4500×157 HAL@WACC.net

Catalytic leader and volunteer recruitment, development, & placement is yet another decade change idea. “A catalytic leader is characterized as being spiritually passionate, missional, and entrepreneurial.” according to Bill Hossler, Missionary Church President.

At the same CASA Network gathering Rev Chris Holck, Director of Encore Generations for the EFCA, provided three practical decade change tactics for the local church in the recruitment and development of catalytic leaders and volunteers: Scout Talent (Create a database, Hold “Boomerish” Events, Take Initiative), Guide People in the Discovery of their “Sweet Spots,” Help People Launch their Talents (Input, Service Menu, Experimentation).

Possibly the most important local church decade consideration is leadership style. The best research indicates a bottom up preference, consultative approach, upfront full disclosure, distain for menial tasks or roles, and an impatience tendency. Local 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.

It may be appropriate for the Elder Boards to adopt a more bottom-up approach to the long term ministry planning process. For better transparency, it is suggested that a letter to each member be sent announcing the formation of a long-term ministry team, requesting prayer for both the team and the plans development, explaining the process and time commitment, asking interested members to apply for team consideration by providing credentials, and allowing for questions, suggestions or concerns. Based on the feedback, evaluate the need for a special meeting and/or dinner to assure from the outset member understanding, input, and buy-in before selecting or announcing the long-team ministry team’s selection.

In conclusion, the following sample position description for an encore generation leader attempts to incorporate and communicate many of the decade change ideas offered in this article for local church leaders. The position can be split into two separate positions, ministry, and business. The position can be implemented initially as volunteer and evolve into a part time or a full time person. According to Rick Warren, likely for best person is already a member in the local church.

Sample Description for an Encore Generation Leader Position

Encore Generation:  implement and direct a full scale ministry for active adults by providing leadership, training, and mobilizing them in life step opportunities:

  • For initial guidance, create two to three “Focus Groups” made up of eight to ten Boomers to cast vision and strategize how best to do ministry with their own age group and help bridge the “generation gap”.
  • Facilitate the involvement of adults into volunteer ministry with office space and opportunities for service across the spectrum of ministries at the church.
  • Provide and coordinate a wide variety of ministry opportunities and activities to encourage meaningful involvement, spiritual growth and facilitate the nurturing of relationships with others who are in similar stages of life.
  • Foster intergenerational health by integrating active adults with other life stage ministries.
  • Provide life stage support for issues significant to this segment of the congregation such as financial planning, health issues, aging with grace, care for aging parents, grand parenting, et al.
  • Develop, implement and oversee coordinated in and outreach assimilation strategies for active adults.
  • Provide training that will unleash/mobilize active adults to discover and use their gifts.
  • Create partnerships with agencies/organizations outside the church that dovetail with the encore ministry focus.
  • Develop budgets for the ministry consistent with current youth ministry investment.

Development: Identify, cultivate, and challenge partners; increase the level of generosity participation and ownership, through direct involvement and consistent financial giving.

  • Provide necessary leadership to initiate and implement a development plan, to identify, cultivate, and challenge givers who have potential to support the ongoing mission.
  • Work closely with high capacity givers to complete major gifts and major gift plans.
  • Assure that gift arrangements are properly completed, and maintain ongoing commitment to givers, building generosity into their life.
  • Plan and carry out special dinners, events, and stewardship training that will maximize partnership with and raise financial resources for ministries.
  • Maintain regular communication with the Pastor Team to assure effective administration and prompt response to each givers questions, concerns, and interests.
  • Take executive leadership to further resource the organization’s development plan; educate and support each leader with respect to their development ministry roles.
  • Review research and develop strategies used in matching high capacity givers.
  • Give overall leadership in close consultation with the Senior Pastor to all current, deferred, and capital campaign activities.
  • Provide supervision, training, and resources to the Senior Pastor, aiding in moves management integration of identified and assigned givers and/or major givers.
  • Oversee the Foundation, work with the Foundation Board to raise support for, and help provide leadership to the Foundation.
  • Provide leadership to Planned Giving efforts which would include education marketing, presentations, proposals, gift arrangements, and gift closure.

Qualifications: Strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ as evidenced by spiritual maturity, a close daily walk with Him, a consistent vision with area of ministry and our mission statement.

  • Be committed to the theological stance of the Church.
  • Understanding of the ministries of the Church.
  • Proven knowledge, experience and success in not for profit development.
  • College degree in business, communications, marketing or related disciplines.
  • Highly desirable: advanced development training or experience, older adult training, research or experience, catalytic leadership style, church member.

(“Job Description about Older Adults” by Amy Hanson; EFCA Encore Sample Job Description Resources; networking with Hal Lentz, Lead Pastor of Development and New Horizons, Whittier Area Community Church, Whittier, CA and Dr Charles Arn, Institute for American Church Growth, Monrovia, CA)

About Robert W Chism Bob is a member of the Builder (Bridge) generation. Having retired from secular work in 2005, he has refocused his 24/7 energy toward older adult ministry. He is a member of CASA Network and serves on their prayer team; YES and serves on their prayer team; Christ Together; and enrolled in the CASA Academy, “Navigating Ministry in Times of Generational Changes” and The Center for Christian Leadership of Anderson University School of Theology, Certificate of Aging Ministries. Bob and Karen, his wife of 47 years, reside in Antioch, Illinois; have three adult children and six grandchildren.

For a copy of a five year on going research report entitled “An Encore Generation Ministry Model” contact Robert W Chism: 847-395-1626, chism.w.robert@comcast.net

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Taking Fresh Stock Of What’s On Life’s Shelf

Pastor John Coulombe

Whether in good health or ill, whether our mileage in life is low or high, whether bodies and ‘tents’ are weathered or in tip top shape, it’s always important to evaluate one’s life’s directions and purposes. That’s perhaps why a new year motivates us to begin fresh, take stock of what’s on the shelves of our lives and to re-stock it for the days ahead. Hezekiah was told by God in Isaiah 38 to set his house in order because the number of his days were few. That’s good advice for all of us, no matter how many days we think we have left.

In case you’re wondering about when my ‘number’ may be up, my calendar reveals that as of January 5, 2011, I perhaps have 1,754 days left to live. I have already lived 23,926 days, which amounts to 65 years, 185 days, including 16 leap years.

When and why did I come up with these wild figures and this wild thought? It was 30+ years ago while reading Psalm 90:10-12: As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years. Or if due to strength, eighty years . . . For soon it is gone and we fly away . . . So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. So—I decided I would begin counting my days once a week, using 70 years instead of 80 because when living and ministering in our previous ministry, a motorcycle was my means of transportation for work—and pleasure! Little did I know at the time I would later deal with cardiac issues and prostate cancer.

But why would I begin what seems like a compulsive behavior? I wanted perspective and I wanted wisdom and my rationale was two-fold: If it’s a lousy day, “I may only have 1,754 days left to live and then I’m outta here!” There is an end in sight and I can hang on a little bit longer. On the other hand, if it’s a lazy day, “I may only have 1,754 days left to live and I, like you, was made with purpose—it’s time to re-evaluate, re-enlist and re-boot!”

This past year, I must confess, I back-slid from my previous New Year’s wish/change list so I have made some new resolutions as to how I want to live in the coming days. I’ve discovered that “If I always do what I always did, I’ll always get what I always got!” . . . and I want to continue to be changed into the image and likeness of my God. So, this past week I re-upped and made several mid-life, uhhh, ‘later-life’ course changes for myself. And I was encouraged by these timeless resolves of Jonathan Edwards from days gone by:

Resolved:

  • To live with all my might while I do live;
  • To never do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life;
  • To be endeavoring to find out fit objects of liberality and charity;
  • To never do anything out of revenge;
  • To never suffer the least emotions of anger toward irrational beings;
  • To never do anything which, if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think in anyway the more meanly of him;
  • To never say anything at all against anybody, but what is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, agreeable to the lowest humility and sense of my own faults and failings and agreeable to the Golden Rule; and when I have said anything against anyone to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this resolution.
  • In narrations, never to speak anything but the pure and simple truth.
  • To maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking. Never to give over nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be. And after afflictions, to inquire: ‘What am I better for them? What good have I got by them?’ and ‘What might I have got by them?’
  • To never to lose one moment of time, but improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can. That I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

(Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758, American Theologian and Preacher)

Love, Pastor John

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Dr. Roger Valci, Senior Pastor at Valley Christian Center, Dublin CA, focused the Sunday morning message on life after 50 by asking these questions of a Mature Adults Panel.

“Our goal was to make people aware of how you feel on key issues of family, church and life.”

The Questions:

  • Who is your “favorite” pastor? (joke)
  • How many years have you been at VCC?
  • How many children and grandchildren do you have?
  • What is “retirement” like?  Is it really all that it made up to be?
  • What does it feel like to be a “second half person” in a “first person world”?
  • What concerns do you have with modern families?
  • What regrets do you have with your own family?
  • What are so glad you did with your own family?
  • What do you see in life that we cannot?
  • What do you see God doing at VCC?
  • Health is a big part of aging.  Describe some of those struggles.
  • Do you like young people?  What do you wish young people would know about you?
  • What fears, anxieties, worries do you struggle with?
  • How can we as a church family help you?
  • Before you step into the other side, presumably, that age will take you there before us, what life lesson would you like to leave us?

 

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5 Easy steps for influencers – it’s the book of acts revisited!

YOUR ASSIGNMENT: THINK OF AN IDEA THAT WILL CHANGE OUR WORLD. THEN PUT IT INTO ACTION!

1)       Invite four pastors or lay leaders responsible for 50+ age men and women out for coffee. Tell your stories. Share dreams. Pray for each other.

2)       Do the same with four Opinion Makers in your church.

3)       When you’ve become acquainted, ask the first group of four if they would do the same with some of their colleagues in ministry. In a few weeks time you can have a Village of respected and influential men and women who will think of a Great Idea that can change you, your church, your city and link you with the Idea Jesus left us with in Matthew 28:19 . . . one that will change our world. Then put it into action!

4)       Ask the same of the Opinion Makers. What are their Great Ideas? You will inspire others in your church and city to connect and change our world as only Christ-followers can. Remember, we are better together!

5)       Link colleagues and your churches or organizations to CASA Network.

This is our Moment to create Momentum leading to Movement.

 

“Listen well. Share life. Take action!”

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.” —2 Thessalonians 1:11,12

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Jan
04
2011

FROM AROUND THE WORLD . . .

Folks are writing to tell us – “I’M IN!” Let us know how you are connecting a Global Village of Elders in your church and city!

I am a graduate student at Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, PA. I am currently working on my thesis for my Masters degree in Ministerial leadership. I was told by John Trent that I should reach out to you for assistance. I am writing my thesis on the subject of “empty-nest” and the role of church or family ministries in helping people who are going into or are already in this transitional period of their life. I can find a lot of information on the subject itself but am having a difficult time finding church and adult or marriage ministries that specialize in this area or have “programs” that specifically deal with this single issue. I was wondering if you have any information or can steer me in any direction where I can find churches etc. that are doing good things in this specific area or web sites that I might go to find more information (books, articles, sermons etc.). Thank you so much for your time and help. —Peter Coderre, Graduate Student, Lancaster Bible College. (All right out there. Here’s a young man looking for help. Some of you brilliant, savvy souls – time to connect and share. pncoderre@aol.com or 717-691-5860. While you’re at it, copy us and let us know, too.)

We feel the necessity to invest in a 3rd Era Senior program. 1st Era = birth to 30, 2nd Era = 30 to 60, 3rd Era = 60 plus. We feel the need to, not only minister to seniors but recruit seniors to minister to others. Any resources would be greatly appreciated. Note: my son graduated from Point Loma Nazarene College. —Robert (Bob) Boyter, Camarillo Community Church, Camarillo CA. (Got any ‘best practice’ ideas to share with Bob? Send them in. We’ll pass them along.

I serve as a member of an area Committee that plans and promotes an area Seniors Rally held one day in October each year. We have planned 14 such programs and are looking for needed topic for Breakout Sessions that we call Workshops. Challenging Themes for the One Day Meeting. —Leonard G. Wymore, Hopwood Christian Church, Johnson City TN (Have ideas you’d like to share with Leonard? Send them in. We’ll pass them along.)

In the first 30 days of 2011, I’m going to connect with 4 pastors and/or lay leaders in my community and start a discussion; then I’m going to pray for 4 “opinion makers” among my congregation of seniors and get them discussing ideas for reaching builders and boomers; finally, I’m going to make an effort to link them with resources like CASA.  —Paul Lundberg, Atwater Baptist Church, Atwater CA

I will start by asking God to lead me in the right direction … To start talking to people, encourage them to join me in the 50 and over challenge for God’s Kingdom … With your prayers and help “I’M IN” …  —Pauline Cole, The Sanctuary Church of God, Deland FL

“I’M IN!” says Pastor Jon. He’s been at the church for 20 yrs and oversees the singles ministry and Encore, the fifties-plus groups. —Jon Evans, Desert Chapel, Palm Springs CA

I will be working with Emily S, Rich W, and Mr. & Mrs. John R from Calvary Lutheran Church to broaden our village of elders & seniors. I was very impressed by your conference and you left me very up beat about our elders and senior population. —Ellwyn Parks at Calvary Lutheran Church & Olive Branch Christian Church, Indianapolis IN

I am just beginning a ministry in our church for Older Adults from age 60 and over they appear to be anxious to become part of this ministry. We will be serving nursing homes, the sick and shut in. Please, I need your prayers and suggestions. I have invited a group of approximately20 senior adults to join this ministry. We will have our first gathering in January 2011.   —Debra Brown at Tucson AZ

Meeting with other leaders, have one meeting today in less than an hour. Have scheduled a meeting with our church elders, and am encouraging the 50+ encore folks that I have the privilege of leading. I want to reach out to neighboring churches and to our sister church in Albuquerque.   —Betty Rohde at Faith EV Free Church, Rio Rancho NM

My goal is 10 new churches to join CASA and get engaged in the coming year. Merry Christmas to you and the entire board and your families.  —Dr. Chuck Stecker at A Chosen Generation, Centennial CO

Hi Ward. That was a good conference in Marietta GA. Looking forward to our next conference. Have a great week. —Larry @ CCCU – Community Christian Credit Union, San Dimas CA

Thank you for planning the Atlanta conference. The CASA Network is my fraternity – my colleagues – my older adult ministry professional peer group, and I would hate to not connect with them at least annually. Kathy and I want to say thank you for moving forward and our gift is enclosed. “WE’RE IN!”  —Chris & Kathy Holck, EFCA Encore

Thank You very much for your prayers, I am excited and a little scared, I know with God all things are possible please continue to pray for me and this senior adult ministry there is a great need for this type of ministry.                                  —Debra Richards at Tucson AZ

Our Calvary group was so impressed with the conference that we are trying to motivate a group of folks to go to California next November.  So far we have a fairly strong commitment from five (5) very interested people.  Isn’t that great?  —John Remetta, Calvary Lutheran Church, Indianapolis IN


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SMALL BITES … adventures in downsizing

Jan Kinzel

Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

My friend who was helping us sort through our vast quantity of stuff was working with me in the garage on a Tuesday, when my croquet set emerged. These sets have not changed much, if at all, over the years.  The rolling rack, the wickets, the different colored balls and mallets – all were there. At our new place the expanse of lawn will allow for croquet, but storage of the set would present a problem.

I told my friend, “Mary might want it.” Now, Mary loves all things patriotic and owns a huge collection of Americana everything.  Mary also ‘lettered in croquet’ in college and we have played this game at many summer gatherings over the years. Croquet, American flags, Norman Rockwell, picnics – yeah, like that.

Calling Mary and expecting to hear her voice, I was surprised when her husband answered.  Dennis’ response to, “Say, could you and Mary use a croquet set?” was a big burst of laughter. “Why are you laughing?” I asked him. (I should mention that Mary and Dennis are watching their dollars in this strained economy, as are most of us.) This is what he told me.

On Friday, Mary and her friend Linda, who loves antiquing and thrift store shopping, spotted a croquet set in a thrift shop. Mary looked at the price and decided it was too expensive for now. Hard as it was, she left empty handed. When she told her husband what had happened, he told her to go back and purchase it. Returning to the store on Saturday, she found it had been sold.

On Tuesday, I called. Dennis answered the phone and burst out laughing when I said, “Say, could you and Mary use a croquet set?”

Croquet will be played on the expanse of lawn and at Mary’s insistence we all will dress properly for the occasion – in white attire.  Mary and Dennis will supply the croquet set!

A Norman Rockwell Picnic

Big container of fried chicken, homemade or purchased

Favorite Potato Salad

Large Dill Pickles

Cole Slaw

Watermelon Wedges

Juicy Strawberries

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Lemonade

Place all on a picnic table covered with red and white checked tablecloths and some small American flags strategically placed here and there.  Include some red, white and blue straws for the lemonade.                 

RECIPES

Make or purchase your favorite fried chicken.  Bring plenty of pieces.

Purchase a jar of large dill pickles. (Costco has these very inexpensively.)  Remove each pickle and wrap individually in waxed paper, twisting each end of the paper.   Stack the wrapped pickles on a plate so people can take one to carry around.

Make or purchase your favorite cole slaw.  It’s easy to make these days with the availability of pre-cut and pre-washed angel hair cabbage.  An easy dressing to make includes light mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.

Wash and cut a thoroughly chilled watermelon in half, lengthwise.  Cut again, lengthwise in half.  Make ½ inch slices of each melon quarter and arrange in a spiral pattern on a round tray.  Place a salt shaker nearby.  Yes, I love salt on watermelon!

Find the largest and reddest strawberries you can.  Wash the berries and leave the hulls intact.  Put the berries in a basket lined with white napkins or a piece of white plastic such as a square cut from and inexpensive plastic tablecloth.

Make or purchase chocolate chip cookies.  If the chocolate chips melt a little sitting out on the picnic table,  so much the better!

Have a large container filled with icy lemonade.  Float a few mint leaves for color.

My Favorite Potato Salad, My Mother’s

Hard boiled eggs, cut into discs and chilled

White Rose or other firm cooking potatoes

Vidalia or other sweet yellow onion, diced

Mayonnaise, light or regular (your choice)

Diced pimientos in jars

Celery seed

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Curly leaf parsley

Papkrika

Clean potatoes with a soft brush under running water.  Bring to boiling in a large pot starting with cold water.  Cook until a sharp knife goes through the center of a potato with a slight amount of resistance.

Remove from heat, drain water, but leave the potatoes in the pot to cool.  When cool enough to handle, remove skins and refrigerate until cold, then dice into desired size pieces.

Drain liquid from pimientos.

With all ingredients ready to go, place 1/3 of the potatoes in the bottom of a deep bowl.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper and celery seeds and add 1/3 of the mayonnaise.  Mix then add 1/3 of the onions, and pimentos and mix again.  Repeat, using up those ingredients.

Smooth salad and place egg rounds on top.  Sprinkle with paprika for color and garnish with sprigs of parsley.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill.  Be sure to set bowl in ice on the picnic table.

TIP:  Expect the unexpected!

Psalms 37:4  …and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

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