Rarely are senior adults seen on basketball courts shooting hoops. However, today’s senior adults are dispelling the myth that recreational activities such as basketball, softball, backpacking, camping and hiking are only for the young.
Rodger Oswald of Church Sports International, a sports evangelism ministry headquartered in San Jose, Calif., strongly encourages senior adults to stay active as long as they live.
Oswald says recreation ministries are for men and women of all ages, “not only for children, teens or the really young at heart.”
According to Oswald, senior adults will soon double the number of teenagers in churches. The challenge for churches is to create programs that will help their graying population stay mentally and physically active.
Multiple rewards
Pat Bivin of First Baptist Church, Sylacauga, has seen firsthand how seniors can benefit from an exercise program. Bivin teaches Body Recall classes at churches and leads senior adult retreats. Body Recall emphasizes increased strength, stamina and flexibility, all of which are important to staying physically active. The benefits of exercise programs such as Body Recall go beyond just the physical, however.
“Our participants enjoy laughter and plain old fun,” Bivin said. “They enjoy interacting with people, and they have something to get up and out for.”
Churches also benefit from a more active senior population. “Participants in a fitness program are more in tune with the world,” Bivin said. “Most volunteer with other church and community activities, so they’re involved and helping others.”
Such programs can also be an outreach tool for churches. Bivin said one of the results of this ministry has been that several people who were not previously involved in a church have gotten involved in Sunday School classes and worship.
Oswald said that in addition to health and fitness activities, a recreation program for senior adults can include almost all the activities younger people participate in. Elements of a program can include competitive team and individual sports, recreational sports and even wilderness activities. Leisure activities such as crafts, music, drama, retreats and table games can help seniors stay mentally alert as well.
The entire church benefits from an overall strategy for senior adult recreation ministry, Oswald said, because such programs ensure the health of the whole church family.
Recreation ministry is another way for churches to meet the needs of participants as well as outreach and ministry goals.
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