Evaluate Your Ministry

Listen to me, O house of Jacob...even to your old age I am God, even when you turn gray I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.  
(Isaiah 46:3a, 4)

If we are not intentional about our ministry by, with, and for older adults, we may find older adults being discouraged from participating fully in the life of the church.

The following are questions that are intended to help local congregations evaluate their older adult ministry programs. The answers that follow are useful in providing congregations with accurate information.

Is it intentional? On a regular basis, each congregation should make a needs assessment and resource inventory of its older adult members. By doing this, the congregation can be sure it is providing an intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults.   Does it empower older adults for life and ministry? Older persons are active in the life of the church. Their leadership is solicited, welcomed, and used. They are encouraged to take charge of their own lives and are given primary responsibility for developing and implementing an older adult ministry.   Is it free of barriers for all participants? All efforts are made to remove physical, psychological, social, and economic barriers so that older adults are better able to participate fully in the life and activities of the church.   Does it reach out to older adults? To purposefully reach out to all older people, the church includes a program of evangelism, worship, outreach, pastoral care, and Christian education that seeks to include older adults. Support groups, member shepherding, home and institutional visits, and regular mailing are just some of the efforts being done.   Are concerns of aging included in the church services? The joys, celebrations, fears, frustrations, losses, and dreams of older adults are included as an integral part of litanies, prayers, hymns, and sermons. Milestones passed and goals achieved are celebrated. Older adults are encouraged to share their faith and to take an active role in the worship services.   Bianchi quotes an old Mexican American as saying, "There are some joys to old age, but none greater than realizing that finally you are learning about the really important things." - Velma Ruch in The Transforming Power of Prayer: Individual and Communal Prayer, 86 Does it provide opportunities for continuous spiritual and personal growth? Bible study groups and prayer groups are just some of the efforts made available for spiritual guidance. Opportunities for various types of classes, seminars, workshops, hostels, and support groups are provided to help with life transitions and to enhance learning skills.   Are opportunities provided for companionship and socialization? Older adults have the opportunity to enrich their lives through fellowship with others. Through planned activities and events, they receive affection, respect, recognition, stimulation, and feelings of worth.   Are many of its programs intergenerational? Older adults have the opportunity to share their faith, experience, and knowledge with persons of all ages. Likewise, they have the opportunity to learn from persons of other ages. Older persons and young people work together on various projects and exchange services for one another.   Is it community-minded, interfaith, and ecumenical? Older adults are encouraged to become familiar with the programs and services of their local community and public agencies and, when possible, are engaged in volunteer service. Support is given to join with other churches and faith traditions in mobilizing cooperative efforts to do for older people together what cannot be done separately.   Does it address concerns related to social policies and issues? Older adults are informed about pending legislation, social policies, and other issues that may adversely affect their lives as well as the lives of other people and generations. They form study groups, task forces, and/or committees acting as advocates in order to help. Copied with permission from Designing a Ministry By, With, and For Older Adults by Richard H. Gentzler (Nashville: Discipleship Resources), 1993.