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The Older Adult As a Disciple
by Mari Ann Kusmertz-Chell
Within the last twenty years, United States culture has adopted attitudes related to "ageism." This has been accelerated by the differentiation between those individuals knowledgeable with technology and those who are not. More than that, there seems to be a lack of respect, even impatience with those who are older in our society. In many ways, the older adult has been relegated to retirement -- to jobs that underuse the skills and experience acquired over a lifetime. At times, even the church has lost its distinctiveness, adopted similar values, and exiled the older adult. In many cases, the church takes a chaplaincy role toward the older adult rather than a discipleship/missional role. The church is called to fulfill two commands by our Lord Jesus Christ toward older adults -- love them and make disciples. Part of loving older adults is assisting them in their growth as disciples of Jesus Christ. The primary questions that the church has to answer are these: How do we love older adults? How do we make disciples of older adults?
First, the disciple-making church needs to celebrate the strengths that older adults bring to the disciple-making process. Many seniors already are devoted disciples of Jesus Christ, having served, given, studied, prayed, and worshiped in the church for many years. With this group of individuals, the church has the obligation of continuing to offer appropriate Bible study classes and offering them meaningful opportunities to serve. The church needs to help these older adults to kindle afresh their love for the Lord and their commitment to the mission of the church. Second, the disciple-making church needs to provide ongoing classes to involve older adults in spiritual formation from beginner to advanced levels. The assumption cannot be made that the long-time church attender understands or even is familiar with the Bible. Ron Bennett with Navigators Church Discipleship states that there are distinct groups that need to be evangelized. The first group he describes as the "the lost within the church," individuals who are comfortable in church culture, but lack a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. With changes of life such as retiring from full-time work or children leaving home, the older adult may be interested in developing his/her spiritual life as well as have the time to do so. Some excellent materials to aid in the adult formation process are the Upper Room Devotional and Adult Bible Studies. Both resources are available in large-print versions. The Upper Room may be used as a weekly Bible study using the discussion questions supplied in the back of the devotional. Other helpful resources for the mature adult (40 and up) include materials from Willow Creek, such as Too Busy Not to Pray or NavPress resources, including Living the Questions in John or Respectable Sins.
Another essential area for the disciple-making church to develop is the integration of older adults into the mission of the church. In the midst of the challenges of aging such as health and mobility issues, many older adults have a strong interest in service and mission. Even adults with health issues enjoy the usefulness of continued service as a disciple. One area in which older adults are exceptional is in the area of hospitality. They understand the importance and process of welcoming individuals to the church building. Some ministries that are ideal for older adults are serving as greeters and hosts. More than that, older adults can even create and execute their own new ministries in the church such as Election Day Ministry. (Election Day Ministry offers radical hospitality to the community giving homemade cookies and beverages to voters as well as hot meals to pollworkers.) They can also fill ministry needs elsewhere such as leadership, teaching, or assisting in supportive roles. In other words, many older adults are more than capable and willing to be in mission both within the church and in the community.
Is the older adult a disciple of Jesus Christ? Yes, many are, but not all. The disciple-making church needs to set clear goals and make definite plans to keep including older adults in the ministry and mission of the church because the church’s calling is to make disciples of all people groups, and this includes people of all ages.
Resources
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Mari Ann Kusmertz-Chell is a 2005 graduate of Methodist Theological School in Ohio and is a staff member of Shiloh UMC in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the West Ohio Conference. You may contact her by e-mail at mchell55@hotmail.com.
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