Older Adult Ministry

2008 Leaders Retreat for Older Adult Ministries

When was the last time you experienced a time of learning, fellowship, fun and good food for twenty-six hours? You will have an opportunity to experience all of these and more May 20-21, 2008, at the Leaders Retreat for Older Adult Ministries at St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, Michigan. We are privileged to have the Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr. (Rick) as our speaker. He is the director of the Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. His ministry involves providing resources and training support for leaders of midlife and older adult ministries. Dr. Gentzler is a much sought after speaker and seminar leader. He is nationally recognized as a teacher, writer, and leader in the field of aging and older adult ministries. He is the 2003 recipient of the National Interfaith Coalition on Aging (NICA) “Spirituality and Aging” Award.

Dr. Gentzler is author of numerous books on adult and older adult ministry. His latest book is The Graying of the Church: A Leader’s Guide for Older Adult Ministry in the United Methodist Church. In addition, he has written several other books including: Designing an Older Adult Ministry; Aging: God’s Challenge to Church and Synagogue; The Pulse of United Methodist Baby Boomers; and, Forty-Sixty: A Guide for Midlife Adults Who Want to Make a Difference and Rock of Ages (a large print worship and song book).

Dr. Gentzler will be doing four presentations at the retreat. They are: Our Culture and Aging (Exploring Myths and Realities); Spirituality and Aging; Boomers Ministry; and Implications for Ministry.

John H. Miller, Pastor from Owosso First Church of God will be giving an inspirational message on Tuesday evening. G. Lynn Webster, Worship Leader from Owosso, First Church of God, will be leading us in worship throughout the retreat.

The retreat starts with registration on Tuesday, May 20 at 1:00 p.m. and will end with a meaningful worship at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21. The cost is $85 for a single room and $70 for a double room. This cost includes three meals, motel style rooms, the conference and conference materials. The registration deadline is May 12, 2008. Send your registration and check to Church of God in Michigan, 4212 Alpha St., Lansing, MI 48910. If you have any questions, please call Janice Beyers at 989-277-4539 or e-mail her at jbeyers42@yahoo.com.

Make plans now to join us for this exciting time of learning and fellowship.

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Let Your Light Shine

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Too often as we grow older, we become more concerned about our own needs and interests. We often become obsessed with the way things used to be and long for the “good old days.” These thoughts and desires carry over into our older adult groups in our congregations. Activities are planned to meet our own wants and desires. They are designed for self-gratification such as fellowship and fun activities. That in itself is not wrong or bad. Activities for fellowship should be planned but that should not be our number one concern. We have been called by Jesus to let our light shine before men so that others may see our good works and praise our Father in heaven. We need to reach out to our communities and to those around us instead of expecting people to come to us and to our activities. What are some of the ways we could do that?

Ministry to the homebound. We can volunteer to help them with their grocery shopping, take them to medical appointments, visit them on a regular basis, read to them, share funny stories, take them tapes of Sunday services, and many other possibilities. Some churches have started a weekly lunch program with homebound individuals. People volunteer to have lunch with someone once a week in their home. Telephone checks are another way to keep contact with the homebound. Regular phone calls are made to insure that the individual is okay.

Ministry to nursing home residents. Volunteers can visit on a regular basis residents in nursing homes. Volunteers can read to individuals, talk to them, and lead them in times of worship. One church holds a Vacation Bible School at a local nursing home where they have simple crafts, Bible stories and sing old favorite hymns and choruses. Another way to minister to nursing home residents would be to hold weekly Bible studies with those able to attend. Taking a pet to visit residents is another way to bring light to an often dark situation.

Ministry to your community. Holding classes at your church that are open to the community, such as computer training, scrapbooks, knitting, book clubs, camera clubs and garden clubs. Advertise in your local paper. Welcome people from your community. Another possibility is to partner with a local older adult agency. You could volunteer in senior citizen centers, serving dinners, helping with activities, etc. Your group could help with a local clean-up project at a park or neighborhood. Hold a community baby shower for those in need. Have a pantry of food and paper products for those in need.

Become involved in organizations that take care of our world and resources. Plant a tree. Find ways to help your church become more “green”. Recycle, reuse, and reduce. Clean up a section of highway or road on a regular basis. Become involved in community events that protect and care for our planet.

Intergenerational ministry. Become involved with the young people in your church and your community. Help out in children and youth ministry. Tutor children. Volunteer in your local schools. Establish relationships with young families in your community.

There are many ways to minister outside of your church. I have only mentioned a few of them. If we are going to reach people for Jesus Christ, we need to get out of our churches and be where the people are. We need to reach out to those in need. We need to let our light shine so people will come to know and praise our God. Is your older adult group reaching out? In 2008, let’s look for new ways to bring light to a dark world.
- Janice Beyers