Caricatures of aging are often portrayed by physical and mental ravages, real or imagined problems of decline and atrophy, and mental pictures of earlier generations that blind us to the enrichment and possibilities of the 60s, 70s, 80s. Why fear? Why do we feel the need to distance ourselves from aging?

 

WHEN ALL ABOUT ME IS NOT ENOUGH

(the common question asked)

“How’s retirement going?”

(the stock answer given)

“I’ve never been busier!

(the unspoken concern)

“Why am I still here?”

We’ve all heard it … maybe we’ve all said it. “Since I retired, I’ve never been busier.” If we haven’t it’s most likely because we haven’t reached that life stage yet. But deep inside an unspoken question lingers in the minds of many older adults…am I making a difference? Do I still matter?

 

MEANING AND PURPOSE

Meaning and purpose are still high priorities in the hearts and minds of active older adults. Church leaders must understand this. So should the adult children of aging parents. Simply because one steps away from a career or occupation and into a stage of life generally referred to as “retirement” does not diminish the need for significance and the desire to make a meaningful, albeit different contribution to friends, family, and the Kingdom of God on earth.

 

This makes planning for older adults in the family structure and the configuration of older adult ministry in the church all the more important.

 

Fresh activities, finding ‘trigger points’ for new ideas, continue to be a challenge for today’s church and family leaders-. Whether you are in a small church community or a church of thousands, when tasked with organizing and planting a successful ministry, every resource helps.

 

Remember, those you serve may tell you, “Since I retired, I’ve never been busier,” but inside there may remain the unspoken question “… do I still make a difference?”

 

Let’s make certain the answer for everyone is “YES!”