INVEST IN YOUR 50+ MINISTRY LEADERS!

Here’s an encouragement to Senior Pastors everywhere. Invest in your 40/50 ministry pastors and lay leaders! Often overlooked and under appreciated, they set the bar for the 40 percent (or more) of your congregation who are 50+ in age. You’ve given them the task of motivating, encouraging, teaching and caring for the older adults in your church family. They may also be a key to success in the intergenerational emphasis you want for your congregation. But to do this they need your support.

The truth is that most who accept this assignment have received little or no special training for the task. The rest of your team is likely better prepared than those charged with older adult ministry. Even if they have years of pastoral experience, even if they were fortunate enough to receive higher educational training in a Christian university or seminary there is a good chance they’ve received little or no preparation for what you’ve assigned them to do. And if you are still unsure about investing in these leaders, think church budget. Remember, you’ve given away the responsibility of working with a demographic that controls 65 percent of the nation’s wealth!

It’s Why more and more churches across the USA and Canada are becoming ministry partners in the CASA Network. It is How senior pastors have been empowering those who lead older adult ministry in their churches: they expose their team to some of North America’s leading pastors, educators and 50+ ministry leaders at the CASA Network’s International 50+ Ministry Leadership Conferences–like the one set to happen on November 9-11 in Anaheim CA. Don’t you think you should, too?

Think Dr. Richard Gentzler, National Director of the Center on Aging and Older-Adult Ministry for the United Methodist Church, sharing the “why” and “how” on starting intentional older adult ministries. Think Dr. Laura Carstensen, Founding Director of the Stanford Institute on Longevity, and her fresh views on “a long bright future” for the longest living generations. Think David Fraze, Student Ministries Director at the Hills Church of Christ in North Richland Hills, TX, as he “revisits our definition of family.”

Think Pastor Rod Toews of the Peninsula Covenant Church, Redwood City, CA, who personally visited 44 churches in the USA to study their older adult ministries. Think author-to-older-adults Missy Buchanan, a recent guest on ABC’s Good Morning America as she talks about faith and aging. Think Chip Arn, one of America’s leading researcher/teachers in church growth and 50+ age ministry. Think Robin Carey, M.S., and discover the power of spiritual coach/mentoring with CASA’s new project, Start the Conversation! Then remind yourself that these are only part of what will be happening during ILC—Anaheim. There is much more!

Invest! Become a CASA Network ministry partner. You are already reading this on the gocasa website. The rest is easy. Do whatever it takes to get your people to ILC-Anaheim on November 9-11. Better still: bring them with you! Show that you understand how important their part of Kingdom ministry is to your church. For those who are intentional about being (or becoming) an intergenerational church, bring your youth pastor, too. His understanding of older adult ministry is another key to your success.

The CASA Network ILC is not showy, just solid. It is built on the premise that nearly 40% of America and Canada is 50+ in age and getting older. With lifetimes of experience and skills, knowledge and wisdom, the Christ followers in this age group can be your greatest ally for Kingdom ministry.

 

 

 

 

Ward

 

Where in the World is Ward?

2011

Aug 10-11 – Fresh Horizons 50+ Ministry Leadership Conference – Tauranga, New Zealand

Aug 18 – Fresh Horizons 50+ Ministry Leadership Conference – Caloundra QLD, Australia

Aug 19-21 Regional Senior’s Retreat – Caloundra QLD, Australia

Sept 24 – The Intergenerational Challenge – Denver CO

Oct 18-20 Mount Hermon Fall Adult Conference – Mount Hermon CA

Nov 08 – CASA Network Board of Directors – Anaheim CA

> Nov 09-11 – ILC-Anaheim – The CASA Network International 50+ Ministry Leadership Conference