Honoring the wisdom and experience of the sages in our midst. . .

The Ministry of Older Adults

Older adults have always been the mainstay of the church’s ministry. They tend to contribute more financially to the church’s budget, serve in leadership positions and attend worship services and other church activities more consistently than the members of any other group. They also have the opportunity to contribute in a variety of other ways.

I have known older adults who taught Sunday school classes, worked with children and youth, prepared meals for church events, served as ushers and greeters, composed and addressed church newsletters and other mailings, baked cookies to be delivered to the homebound, served as a companion for critically ill individuals, designed and maintained the church’s website, drove the church van or activity bus, taught classes for flower arranging, gardening, making stained glass windows, photography, painting, sculpture, wood carving, sewing, yoga, researching family history, making scrap books, computer skills, and assembling a church history. Other older adults have provided transportation for those who are unable to drive, visited homebound members, and worked on conference building teams.

In the larger community older adults serve as hospital volunteers, deliver meals-on-wheels, work on Habitat homes, tutor students in academic subjects, work in soup kitchens or at the overnight shelter, and assist others with filing income taxes.
The senior years can be filled with meaningful and rewarding activity. But if chronic illness or physical limitations prevent older adults from being more actively involved in the church’s ministry or community service, they can still pray for the church leaders and members, and send cards or make phone calls to those who need words of encouragement.
There are no limits to the valuable contribution that older adults can make when they express creativity, productivity and interest in people. They are a vital part of the church’s life and ministry, and have much to give as well as much to receive from their continued involvement in the faith community.

Robert V. Dodd

Prayingfriend@aol.com
Robert V. Dodd has served as a pastor in the Western N.C. Conference for 31 years and is currently on medical disability. He writes Bible study and devotional materials for various United Methodist publications, including Daily Bible Study and Mature Years. He is also the author of the Advent Calendar of Devotions, 2009.
Mr. Dodd will be teaching the Adult Sunday School Lesson in the Memorial Chapel at Lake Junaluska on Sunday morning, June 14, 2009, prior to the closing worship service at annual conference.