Forging Ahead
Beginning in 2012, The CASA Network is making an historic move: transitioning from its long held member-support approach to funding its outreach, to one that is “faith-based,” supported by individuals, churches and parachurch groups that possess a vision and passion for older adult and intergenerational ministries. The board reached a decision for this major shift unanimously on December 2, in the belief that this is the best way to increase our effectiveness and for The CASA Network to thrive.
Since its inception, CASA has served hundreds of churches and thousands of ministry leaders, but has continued to struggle financially. This prompted a merger some years ago with Chicago-based Total Living International. Subsequent experience proved that CASA could best serve the broader spectrum of the body of Christ by regaining its independent status. In the summer of 2009, with blessings from all parties involved, CASA separated from TLI and relocated to modest rental facilities in Bellevue, Washington (near Seattle). This is where a small but talented and committed professional staff, together with scores of generous and gifted volunteer professionals and alliance groups, provide invaluable training and resources for 50+ and intergenerational ministry among families, churches and cities throughout the USA and Canada. In the transition, CASA became The CASA (Christian Association Serving Adult Ministries) Network, “network” being added to acknowledge hoped for relationships with other ministry groups, churches, denominations and educational institutions in the belief that we are “better together” for preparing the church and followers of Jesus for the age wave phenomena sweeping across our land.
Is it possible that the significant and growing increase in North America’s aging population is more than the result of advances in modern medicine? Could this be first and foremost a part of God’s eternal plan? Is there a fortuitous Kingdom paradigm shift in the making, pushing its way to the surface by the aging of America and by the worst recession since WW2? And could it be that we are distancing ourselves from God’s providential plan for the church with the significant changes in ministry emphasis occurring as local churches and denominational entities increasingly distance themselves from serving their aging adult constituency?
A 2011 Pew research survey in the USA reported that 45% of adult members in the average evangelical church and 51% in mainline churches are 50+ in age. Yet in their new book, A Vision for the Aging Church, James M. Houston and Michael Parker state, “our research confirms that ‘senior ministry’ when present at all, is almost universally considered to be a ministry to rather than from elders.”
Society’s ‘age wave’ component is more often than not viewed by the church as a burden it must serve, rather than a resource for serving. When combined with the economic downturn, the result has been the closure of denominational departments of older adult ministry and staff pastors let go or reassigned. Of those reassigned, many may not be trained in or passionate about ministry among the 50+ ages in their churches and communities, especially since seminaries and Christian universities offer few educational classes in this field of service. Within many pastoral staffs, being assigned to ministry to older adults is silently (sometimes not so silently) viewed as a “step down,” and a drain on resources needed in “more important areas.”
The 50+ ministry leadership conferences, seminars and workshops, the online Center for Building Adult Ministries (BAM), the Leaders Library, and ready access to many of North America’s top experts in the fields of older adult and intergenerational ministry make The CASA Network more important than ever. This is our passion: to effectively serve all generations within churches, families and denominational groups.
What’s on the docket for 2012:
- One and two day Influence the Generations for Christ Conferences and Start the Conversation events.
- Interested? Invitations to host are already coming in. If you would like to know more about a 50+ Ministry Leadership Mini-Conference in your area, let us know. Email info@gocasa.org, or call 888-200-8552 for information.
- Joining our current gocasa website in 2012 will be: www.stagecoach.org. Informative. Inspirational. And very intergenerational!
Beginning in January, all content on gocasa.org will be open! No more searching for lost passwords. No more annual membership dues. In their place, entirely open websites and three tastefully conducted support drives during the year, and I want to begin by thanking each of you who have been a vital part of The CASA Network. Thanks for what you mean to 50+ Ministry. I’m asking you to please continue at least the equivalent of your present level of support and more, if you can. Our goal for 2012 is $100,000 for operations and the development of conferences, training and educational programs, as well as other resources targeting older adult and intergenerational ministry.
In the face of a diminished 50+ Ministry target in today’s church, The CASA Network is increasing efforts to fill the gap with quality training and resources for professionals and volunteers.
With your support and God’s blessing, we can do this thing. We are The CASA Network. And we are all in this together!
Ward
Visit our Stakeholder page for information about giving.