"Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets" (Zechariah8:4-5).

As leaders of older adult ministries,we are well aware that life expectancy in the United States greatly increased in the last century. In 1900 life expectancy was 47 years at birth; and by 2000, life expectancy hadincreased to 78 years of age. Yet it is also true that the older a person becomes, the more apt she or he is to experience health challenges. Increases in total expected years of life are not necessarily accompanied by increases in expected disability-free life.

Age takes its toll at different rates for different people. People in midlife (50s and 60s) can experience heart attacks and strokes. During the 70s problems with multiple chronic health conditions can increase By the 80s diminishment of physical capabilities slows or even restricts an older adult's day-to-day activities. Even older adults, for whom aging was slow to take a toll, will eventually notice loss of previously taken-for-granted health and physical abilities.

Living in our youth-oriented culture,it is difficult for many of us, including church leaders, to truly appreciate the needs and concerns of older adults. For many congregations, conflict may arise when regarding the needs of older adults while, at the same time, tending to the needs of the young.

Through their longevity, older adults can continue to make meaningful contributions to the community: as purveyors of wisdom, examples of faith, and resources for the historical grounding of our young. Conflict between generations should never occur. While we are called by God and instructed in Scripture to honor older adults, Jesus reminds us that we are "to become like children."

Intergenerational or multi-generational ministry within the community of faith is a blessing, not a curse. A church filled with young and old is a gift and a treasure for all generations. Unfortunately, intergenerational ministry is seldom planned in many of our congregations. For that reason, we may need to be quite intentional about creating opportunities that value and respect the gifts of all generations, young and old alike.

While many congregations would like to expand their efforts in meeting theneeds of older adults, many find it difficult to do so. The lack of financial support, staff support, and onference leadership support are perhaps the three biggest hurdles to ministry expansion.

Support for congregational efforts in older adult ministry is a necessary part of the work of the United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries. Administratively related to the General Board of Discipleship (see ¶1121 in The Book of Discipline), the committee is providing grant funding in two specific areas of older adult ministries this quadrennium: Intergenerational Ministry and Caregiving Ministry. The grants, part of the Comprehensive Plan for Older Adult Ministries, will be available to local United Methodist congregations, districts, annual conferences, central conferences, and United Methodist-related institutions. All grant applications will be reviewed by the United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries. The committee is also responsible for the selection process. The following procedures have been determined by the committee:

Intergenerational Ministry with Older Adults:

• August 2009 -- Applications available
• December 15, 2009 -- Submission deadline
• June 2010 -- Grant funds are awarded

Caregiving Ministry with Older Adults:

• August 2010 -- Applications available
• December 15, 2010 -- Submission deadline
• June 2011 -- Grant funds are awarded

Older Adult Ministry Grant Application Form with procedures and criteria, will be available by contacting:

Teri Kline, Project Coordinator
Center on Aging & Older Adult Ministries
GBOD
POB 340003
Nashville, TN 37203-0003
Telephone: 615-340-7177
Toll free: 1-877-899-2780, ext. 7177
Email: tkline@gbod.org

The Reverend Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr. is the Director of the Center on Aging & Older Adult Ministries at the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, Tennessee. He is author of numerous books on midlife and older adult ministries. His most recent book is titled Aging & Ministry in the 21st Century: An Inquiry Approach (Discipleship Resources, 2008).

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