In the August issue of ENCORE Ministry Matters, I highlighted the role of intentional leadership in older adult ministry. In this issue, I want to share various ministry models by, with, and for older adults in the local church.
When I served as the director of the Center on Aging & Older Adult Ministry for the General Board of Discipleship (pre-retirement years), I traveled extensively working with church leaders throughout the United States. I observed many different types of older adult ministry models in my travels and I want to share some of them.
Below is a brief explanation of each ministry. Examples are taken from Older Adult Ministry Charge Conference Reports.
Adult Day Care Model
A growing number of United Methodist congregations have single-handedly, or by joining with neighboring churches, created an adult day care ministry. This ministry provides caregivers with a needed break while giving older adults a chance to socialize with their peers and remedy the isolation and loneliness many seniors experience. Churches provide social ministry concentrating on meals and recreation such as arts, crafts, and music. Some churches may include health-related services. Churches offering this ministry include Brentwood UMC, Hillcrest UMC (Nashville), and West End UMC (Nashville).
Congregational Care Model
This model may include a faith community nursing ministry (parish nurse). Churches may provide respite care in church members’ homes as well as a visitation ministry for homebound and people living in nursing homes and assisted living settings. Stephen Ministries is a caring ministry that is a popular ministry in churches such as Bethlehem UMC (Franklin) and First UMC (Gallatin). Churches with intentional congregational health teams and/or parish nurse ministry include Brentwood UMC, Epworth UMC (Franklin), First UMC (Cookeville), and First UMC (Franklin).
Relational Ministry
Many churches have social gatherings and fellowship for seniors. This ministry includes luncheons with or without programs, game day (board games, bingo, cards, etc.), and travel. Older adults enjoy being with peers and friends and participating in recreational and socialization activities. Belmont UMC (Nashville), Bethlehem UMC (Clarksville), First UMC (Cookeville), Good Shepherd UMC (Hendersonville), Crievewood UMC (Nashville), and First UMC (Smyrna) are just some of the churches offering this ministry.
Service and Missions Ministry
Conducted primarily by older adults, this ministry provides needed services (including meals and after school programs for children) for people in the community. Examples of this ministry can be found at Belmont UMC (Nashville), Calvary UMC (Nashville), Centertown UMC (McMinnville), First UMC (Winchester), and Gordon Memorial UMC (Nashville).
Study Ministry
This ministry exists in nearly every United Methodist congregation but some churches provide study and service. It includes older adult Sunday school classes, Bible study with senior adults, book clubs, and Ventures in Learning. Exceptional examples of this ministry can be found at First UMC (Columbia), First UMC (Cookeville), First UMC (Franklin), and St. Mark’s UMC (Murfreesboro).
Support Group Ministry
This ministry provides support for caregivers, adult children of aging parents, cancer/stroke survivors, grandparents raising grandchildren, grief support, spiritual growth and renewal, widows, and widowers. An excellent example is Wings of Hope, a widows’ support ministry. Wings of Hope can be found in Cheatham County, Franklin County (First UMC, Winchester), and Rutherford County (St. Mark’s UMC, Murfreesboro).
In the October 2021 issue of ENCORE Ministry Matters, I will share information about another ministry model commonly found in many churches: S.E.N.I.O.R.S. This ministry model is easily adaptable for congregations of all sizes and is an intentional and inclusive ministry by, with, and for older adults.