1. Older Adult Ministries
The State of the Rural Communities Conference
February 23, 2007
Older Adult Ministries

2. Older adults are a critical part of every church
Each person is unique with a unique history
The future is tied closely to the past
Every senior has a family
Churches are often family to their members
Culture, race, ethnicity and age all flavor congregations

3. Elements of Aging in a Rural Community
Normal Aging
Flexibility
Aging in Place
Extended family
Formal vs. informal systems

4. Normal Aging
Those aspects of aging that happen to everyone regardless of life style, race or gender
Gray hair
Wrinkles
Multiple losses

5. It is critical to NOT fall into the myths of aging
Myths about any population are generally problematic
Key myths about seniors
All seniors are senile
A majority of seniors feel miserable all the time
Older adults are greedy and selfish
Most seniors live in nursing homes.

6. Myths make people feel bad
People do adapt negative stereotypes
Can influence the way sub groups are treated in the church
In the extreme, can even lead to suicide in some populations

7. The amazing thing
The amazing thing about normal aging, is that somehow, people just seem to keep on keeping on!

8. Flexibility

9. Myth: All Older Adults are Ridged
Time can create patterns for people
Sometimes patterned behaviors can loose their original function
To younger people who feel that new is always better, older people can seem out of touch!

10. Ways to think about it Anyone can become ridged
Examine function vs. novelty
If it ain’t broke…why fix it?
If it is a dysfunctional pattern then it is a problem
Social life style vs. personality pathology

11. The joys of an extended family

12. Everyone has a family For the estranged it is a family out of touch
For the single it is a wider gathering of the clan
For parents it is about their children, where ever they are
Families don’t tend to abandon their children

13. The church as an extended family
Church may be physically closer than kin
Church may be less stressful than kin
The church is not a social service, it is just one big family!

14. Formal Vs. Informal Services

15. Informal helping Family and Friends Neighbors Natural Helpers
Role Related Helpers
People with similar problems
Volunteers
Froland, C., Pancoast, D. L., Chapman, N., & Kimboko, P. J. (1981). Helping networks and human services. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications. 32.

16. The church Clergy are generally considered to be Role Related Helpers
Churches are considered to be “gap filling agencies”
Ellor, J. W., & Coates, R. B. (1985). Examining the role of the church and aging. Journal of Religion and Aging, 2(1).

17. Let’s Talk