I don't know anywhere
in the Bible where it says that God takes away God's
blessing when a person reaches the age of 65. God
does have a lot to say in the Scriptures about
aging, which is a gift from God. Age
bring wisdom and understanding, and has a purpose
Proverbs 16:31, "Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is found on the path of righteousness.
While we are all
spiritual beings, not all older adults are
religious. Helping older adults in their spiritual
journey is vital for the later years. In our
fast-paced and changing society, older adults need
opportunities to continue the lifelong process of
learning and growing. Older adults should be invited
and equipped to serve as volunteers in programs
serving other age groups, such as mentoring youth
and young adults, tutoring children or being a
foster grandparent.
Older adults can
literally think themselves into the grave by feeling
bad about getting old. Attitude is an important
index in prolonging life expectancy. The ability to
recreate gives people the chance to re-create
themselves at this stage of their lives. Laughter,
fun, humor and play are all vital ingredients for
the well-being of older persons.
Helping to meet the needs of
others can provide an ongoing sense of purpose for
older adults. There are countless opportunities
available for older adults to be in service: giving
care, preparing meals, providing transportation,
engaging in active listening, monitoring medication,
teaching Sunday school or singing on the choir.
Congregations must encourage older adults to be in
service, and congregations must be willing to equip,
train and support them in these endeavors.
Older Adult Ministry Ideas,
Adult Day Services
Develop a one-day or several-days a week Adult Day
Care at your church for older adults who need
specialized care for working caregivers.
Annual Older Adult
Picnic
Invite older adults from your church and community
to participate in a summer picnic. Provide
entertainment and games.
Exercise and Fitness
Classes
Older adults participate in “low impact” aerobics
class, “Body Recall,” or some other form of exercise
designed for older adults.
Field Trips
Older adults take educational and informational,
recreational, mission study, or work mission trips.
Game Day
Once a week or monthly, hold a game day for older
adults (include games that involve mental
stimulation.
Writing Letters and Sending Cards
Older adults write personal letters and send
birthday, anniversary, and special remembrance cards
to others
Library: Resources on Aging Issues
Place in your church library older adult reading
material, including audio and large print books. Living History
Older adults share their life journey and faith
story on tape (video and/or audio), in writing, and
orally in worship and Sunday school class.
Lunch Partners
Invite older adults to eat a meal once a week with a
homebound member in his/her home.
Older Adult Choir
Invite older adults to form a choir. Sing at church,
nursing homes, retirement communities, and for
homebound. Plan special events such as Christmas
caroling throughout the community.
Visitation Ministry
Older adults visit other older adults who are
homebound, lonely, hospitalized, institutionalized,
and dying.
Sunday Afternoon Worship for Homebound
Monthly, quarterly, or twice a year, conduct a
special Sunday afternoon worship service (include
Holy Communion), for homebound members in the church
sanctuary.
EST. 1811
