General Conference of The United Methodist Church established the formation of a Committee on Older Adult Ministries, which is administratively related to the General Board of Discipleship (see ¶1119, The Book of Discipline, 2000).

Our Purpose

The committee provides a forum for information sharing, cooperative planning, and joint program endeavors as determined in accordance with the responsibilities and objectives of the participating agencies. The committee serves as an advocate for older adult concerns and issues and supports ministries by, with, and for older adults throughout The United Methodist Church and in the larger society.

Our Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the committee include the following:

1. Identify the needs, concerns, and potential contributions of older adults.
2. Promote a plan of comprehensive ministry by, with, and for older adults in local churches that includes spiritual growth, education, training, mission, service, and fellowship.
3. Support the development of resources that will undergird local church ministries by, with, and for older adults.
4. Advocate development and implementation of policies and services designed to impact systems and concepts that adversely affect older adults.
5. Educate and keep before the church the lifelong process of aging, with emphasis on the quality of life, intergenerational understanding, and faith development.
6. Encourage the development of resources and programs that can be used by annual conferences, jurisdictions, and the denomination at large in training and equipping older adults for new roles in the ministry and mission of the church.
7. Serve as focal point for supplying information and guidelines on older adult ministries to local churches.
8. Encourage coordination among agencies responsible for the development of resources, programs, and policies relating to older adult ministries.

Posted 6-25-01

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