By Ward Tanneberg

Sometimes I believe we who are the Church seem more obsessed with finding the age of earth than determining how to reach and serve the aged living on the earth.

Population aging is one of four major trends in North America, along with climate change, economic globalization, and technological innovation, changing our present and future. All directly or indirectly affect the Church, but population aging stands out as a true game changer. In the U.S.:

In 1910 ~     6,216,674 or 6.8% of total population was 60+ years of age.

In 2010 ~.  56,986,401 or 18.4% of total population was 60+ years of age

In 2030 ~   92,171,565 or 24.7% of total population will be 60+ years of age

In 2050 ~ 112,037,396 or 25.5% of total population will be 60+ years of age

Figures for projections from 2010 through 2050 are from: Table 12. Projections of the Population by Age and Sex for the United States: 2010 to 2050 (NP2008-T12), Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau; Release Date: August 14, 2008. The data for 1900 through 2000 is from Appendix Table 5, Census 2000 Special Reports, Series CENSR-4, Demographic Trends in the 20th Century, 2002. This data was compiled by the U.S. Department on Aging.

In Canada, the numbers are even more striking. As of 2012, about 21% of Canadians were over the age of 60. By 2030, that proportion is projected to rise to about 28.5%, and by 2050, 31% — nearly a third of all Canadians — will be 60+ in age.

So what? Why is this important to the Church?

In the last half century, the Church has changed dramatically, sometimes for the better; at other times, not so much. We’ve especially enjoyed recent (in church history years) success in the evangelical / charismatic portions of the Church with growing numbers and newer buildings and greater acceptance worldwide. But short term success brings with it corresponding dangers. If, for example, church leaders ignore or disavow altogether the present and future impact on the Church of the above-mentioned dangers during the next half century, we are in serious denial.

The most in-your-face, significant culture changer of all is the “age sunammi” about to crash onto the shores of our ‘church-island-cultures.’ More than a few leaders have inadvertently staked their personal futures and attached their organizational pursestrings to these ‘island cultures’ without a second glance at what is one of the greatest factors facing present and future generations of Boomers, gen-Xers, and Millennials; namely a rapidly aging population that is like shifting sand beneath the ministry foundations on which many a local congregation is being built today. Socially, relationally, financially, the list goes on. Aging doesn’t just affect the olders. It touches everyone.

If you are a pastor or leader with 20-30 years of servant leadership still ahead of you, it is time to look up and look out! The first transforming wave is already here, changing the way you will have to look at financing projects, caregiving for all ages, and “broadcasting” Good News in large crowd settings over against one-on-one discipleship, to name just a few. Effectively serving the body of Christ in an aging nation, with its longer-living generations, requires a clear re-examination of your divine mandate and an evaluation of methodology. This “silent revolution” is happening on your watch!

Don’t ignore the age revolution. It is here. It is a reality. Instead, embrace it. Give it your blessing. Study it. Channel it. Empower it. It is time to generate serious inclusivity and active servant leadership from an aging population, not merely to view olders as being passively present. When valued for what they can bring to the body of Christ, you can engage champions of faith and faithfulness, just awaiting your call They want and need your affirmation and blessing. As a godly leader, you can bring out the best in them and discover in doing so that your maturing saints make better ‘guardrails’ than ‘road blocks’ on the way to successful intergenerational ministry.

 

Ward Tanneberg served as a pastor for 35 of his more than 55 ministry years. He became president/executive director of CASA50+ Network in 2008. He speaks and writes to 50+ and intergenerational ministry leaders and is the author of several inspirational novels. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife Dixie.