Compiled by Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., Director, Center on Aging & Older-Adult Ministries

*Adult Ministries: Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation by Richard H. Gentzler, Jr. (Abingdon Press, 2004)
A "how-to" guide that provides practical ideas and models for adult ministry (including older-adult ministry) in congregational settings.

Aging: Concepts and Controversies by Harry R. Moody. (Pine Forge Press, Thousand Oaks, CA, 2000)
An excellent resource that helps readers confront many of the issues that have an impact on both aging persons and our aging society.

*Aging: God's Challenge to Church and Synagogue by Richard H. Gentzler, Jr. and Donald F. Clingan. (Discipleship Resources, 1996. OUT OF PRINT, but may be available from amazon.com.)
This resource provides practical ideas and important information necessary for understanding our aging society and "graying" congregations.

Aging, Spirituality, and Religion, Volume 1 edited by Melvin A. Kimble, Susan H. McFadden, and all. Volume 1. (Fortress Press, Minneapolis, MN, 1995)
This book examines the ways religion and spirituality are experienced by aging people within an aging society.

Aging, Spirituality, and Religion, Volume 2 edited by Melvin A. Kimble and Susan H. McFadden. (Fortress Press, Minneapolis, MN, 2003)
Picking up where Volume 1 left off, this book contains substantive theoretical essays on how religion and spirituality are encountered in the growth experiences and life crises of older adults.

Aging Well by George E. Vaillant, M.D. (Little, Brown and Co., New York, NY, 2002)
This book is based on what is arguably the longest study of aging in the world — the Study of Adult Development at Harvard University.

Building a Ministry for Homebound and Nursing Home Residents by Marie White Webb. (Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN, 2003)
An excellent guidebook for doing ministry with homebound adults and residents in continuing care retirement communities.

A Deepening Love Affair: The Gift of God in Later Life by Jane Marie Thibault. (Upper Room Books, 1993.)
A classic book on spirituality in life's later years and ways to become aware of our gifts.

*Designing an Older Adult Ministry by Richard H. Gentzler, Jr. (Discipleship Resources, 1999)
A "how-to" book and an informative resource for organizing and sustaining an intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults in local church settings.

Engaging in Ministry with Older Adults by Dosia Carlson. (The Alban Institute, 1997)
A helpful and practical book describing various models for older adult ministry.

Faith in the Future: Healthcare, Aging, and the Role of Religion by Harold G. Koenig and Douglas M. Lawson. (Templeton Foundation Press, Radnor, PA, 2004)
The authors believe a major role for the church is to train volunteer caregivers and other volunteers to interact with the growing numbers of older adults.

*Forty-Sixty: A Study for Midlife Adults Who Want to Make a Difference by Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., and Craig Kennet Miller (Discipleship Resources, 2001)
A small-group study book for Baby Boomers and midlife adults who are personally confronting the many issues of aging.

Growing Old in Christ edited by Stanley Hauerwas, Carole Bailey Stoneking, Keith G. Meador, and David Cloutier. (Eerdmans Publishing, Grand Rapid, MI, 2003)
Presents a serious theological reflection on what it means to grow old.

*The Graying of the Church: A Leader's Guide to Older Adult Ministry in The United Methodist Church by Richard H. Gentzler, Jr. (Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN, 2004)
Valuable information about aging in our society and in the church: who are they, what do they believe, how are they motivated, and what resources are available?

Mature Years. (Abingdon Press; available from Cokesbury.)
A large-print quarterly magazine filled with articles and a Bible study based on the International Lessons. Especially written for older adults.

The Power of the Dream by Marie White Webb. (Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN, 1999)
A moving testimony of faithful living in the later years.

Remembering Your Story: A Guide to Spiritual Autobiography by Richard L. Morgan. (Upper Room Books; Revised edition, 2002)
Designed for small groups, this resource encourages and guides participants through ten sessions of life review and future direction.

*Rock of Ages: A Worship and Songbook for Retirement Living. (Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN, 2002)
A large-print worship and songbook for older adults.

Senior Adult Ministry in the 21st Century by David P. Gallagher. Group, Loveland, CO, 2002)
This helpful resource provides step-by-step strategies for reaching people over fifty years of age.

Soulful Aging: Ministry through the Stages of Adulthood by Henry C. Simmons and Jane Wilson. (Smyth & Helwys, Macon, GA, 2001)
A ministry resource for older adults as they journey through the later years of life.

Successful Aging: The MacArthur Foundation Study by John W. Rowe, M.D. and Robert L. Kahn, Ph.D. (Random House, Inc., New York, NY, 1998)
A good book about lifestyle choices that, according to the authors, are more important than genes in determining how well we age.

Winter Grace: Spirituality and Aging by Kathleen Fischer. (Upper Room Books, Nashville, 1998)
A classic book showing how the losses that accompany aging can lead to freedom and new life.

* Books by Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., Director, Center on Aging & Older-Adult Ministries, the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tennessee.

List updated 11-24-04


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