Faith Needs of Older Adults

In my seminars and classes on aging and older adult ministries, I usually invite participants to reflect on the various myths and realities of aging. Since we live in an age-denying and age-defying culture, I find it helpful for people to stretch their thinking and their attitudes related to aging.

The Bible is filled with wonderful stories and references relating to the blessings of aging. In Genesis 12, we read about the call of Abraham. He was 75 years of age when God called him to leave his homeland and depart for Haran. In Exodus, we read about Moses at the age of 80 being told by God to return to Egypt and to free God's people from slavery, bondage, and captivity. These are just two examples of older adults in the Bible who were called by God for a special ministry and purpose.

The Scripture is quite clear that God does not stop involving people in ministry when they reach older adulthood, nor does God take away God's blessing when people reach the age of 65. The writer of Psalms reminds us, "In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap" (Psalm 92:14).

Recently, I had a conversation with a woman who was a participant in one of my workshops on aging and older adult ministries. She told me that following the death of her husband, her self-esteem was shattered. She felt confused and had lost a sense of purpose in her life. She didn't feel like doing much, but she had been encouraged to participate in my workshop. As a result of the workshop, she said she felt God speaking a message of hope for her life.

Following the workshop, she publicly proclaimed that she felt God wasn't finished with her yet. She was excited and enthusiastic about her life and what God might be leading her to do. She had come to believe that even in her later years, she had now found a new sense of purpose in her life. She was grateful to God and appreciative of my workshop.

I was truly blessed by her comments and encouraged by her enthusiasm. Yet as she walked away, I wondered about her local congregation. Would they be people who could encourage her in her faith journey? Would they help her know and experience God's love through Jesus Christ? Would they provide her with the necessary resources for living her faith in everyday life?

Older adults have faith needs that may be overlooked by active, growing congregations. We are called to make disciples of Jesus Christ, and this doesn't mean just making disciples of children, youth, and young adults! Older adults need to experience a new (or renewed) relationship with God through Jesus Christ and to grow in faith maturity, too.

What are some of the faith needs of older adults that congregations need to know?
Older adults need to:

• Know that God loves older people.
• Experience a church that cares about older adults as individuals and as a group.
• Remain a vital part of the church by making significant contributions (beyond financial) to its ministry.
• Find new ways of serving others, even when health and physical strength decline.
• Serve as mentors and role models for the benefit of succeeding generations.
• Have available support systems for coping with losses.

What about your congregation? Are you intentional in your ministry with older adults? Are older adults full participants in the life of your congregation and invited to share their faith with others? Let us hope that your congregation can proclaim, as did Job: "Is wisdom with the aged, and understanding in length of days?" (Job 12:12).