Older Adult Ministries

Getting Started

By engaging in older adult ministries, you will come to realize that the wealth of experience, wisdom, and faith that often abounds in older persons should not be lost or underutilized.

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Steps for Vital Older Adult Ministry
May 6, 2013 | Article

A UMNS Feature
By the Rev. Richard H. Gentzler Jr.

Anytown United Methodist Church sponsors a regular monthly luncheon for older adults. In addition to the covered-dish meal, a speaker or program is held to entertain, inform and inspire participants. Normal attendance averages about 20, even though there are several hundred older adults both in the church and in the community.

 

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Center Sage, Spring 2013
Apr. 15, 2013 | PDF

Contents of this issue include: 

  1. Why Older Adult Ministry?
  2. Change and Transition Ahead for Gentzler and Older Adult Ministries
  3. Committee on Older Adult Ministry
  4. Intentional Intergenerational Initiatives
  5. Housebreaking Ageism in the Church

 

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48 Older Adult Ministry Ideas
Jan. 9, 2013 | Article

As you plan for intentional older adult ministry, keep in mind that every older adult is a unique individual and one ministry idea does not meet all needs. Be sure to identify needs and plan ministry accordingly. Listed below are selected ministry ideas with older adults.

 

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Older Adult Ministries Must Be Intentional as Aging Population Explodes
Sep. 24, 2012 | Article

With Americans reaching age 65 at the rate of 10,000 a day, congregations must become even more intentional about providing appropriate ministries for older adults, according to the Rev. Dr. Richard H. Gentzler Jr. director of the Center on Aging & Older Adult Ministries at the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD).  

 

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In Ministry with Boomers and Beyond: A Leader’s Guide for Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century
Mar. 7, 2012 | HTM

by Richard H. Gentzler Jr. This course in Learning & Leading may be used as an advanced course for Lay Speaking Ministries or for leadership training in other venues. The Leader’s Guide provides a layout for course sessions with goals, suggested discussion topics and devotional material. (Available ONLY as a PDF download.)  

 

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Events Calendar

May 16, 2013
Preparing the Way: Looking Beyond America's Current Crisis of Faith

The world is changing.  In the midst of that change, religion in North America is experiencing significant upheaval.  At the same time, there are numerous places where seeds of vitality and faithfulness have been germinating for the last few decades; places like the Academy for SpiritualFormation where God’s Spirit is actively preparing the way for the next incarnation of the body of Christ. 

Join Phyllis Tickle, a leading authority on religion in America for a live call-in seminar hosted by Johnny Sears, Director of The Upper Room’s Academy for Spiritual Formation.  Hear and participate in a conversation about the changing religious landscape; envision a future in which both Christianity’s rich past and contemporary evolution are dynamically integrated; enter in as the spirit moves us closer to embodying the reign of God in the world. 

Location: Call in and on-site at The Upper Room, Nashville TN 
Duration: Call in 12:30 – 1:30 pm CDT | Nashville live audience 12:20 – 2:00 pm CDT
For more information: contact Sharon Conley or call 615.340.7525 | Donna Bryant or call 615.340.7233

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