May is recognized across the country as Older Americans Month. Founded in 1963 as Senior Citizens Month, it acknowledges the fact that America’s older citizens are growing in number and influence.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are nearly 37 million people age 65 and older in the nation, accounting for about 12 percent of the total population. The month set aside to honor them is celebrated by hospitals, senior adult centers, government agencies and various other organizations.
Churches also recognize the important — and often necessary — role played by the older members of their congregations.
These older members are involved in a wide variety of church ministries and provide the valuable role of mentor and leader to other members.
At Sixth Street Baptist Church, Alexander City, in Tallapoosa Baptist Association, Pastor Robert Keatts said older members participate regularly both in worship and ministry opportunities.
"Just being present each week is in itself a great contribution, and as a pastor, it encourages me when I see those gray and white hairs sprinkled throughout the congregation," he said.
Keatts said although some do not attend the Sunday evening services because of getting out at night, "they are faithful in the Sunday School and morning worship attendance," serving as an example to other members.
He added it is a big mistake to classify older members as less involved in ministry. Some of Sixth Street Baptist’s older members serve in the nursery and preschool child care. A few teach Sunday School or discipleship classes or serve as honorary deacons. A couple sing in the choir. Several serve in maintaining the buildings and property.
Their willingness to serve should be a reminder to younger members, Keatts said.
"It is a shame that in today’s society that young adults and even median adults can find every excuse imaginable to miss a church service or (not) to serve in the church when there are many senior adults who long to attend and serve but who are no longer able to," he said.
At Sixth Street Baptist, older members are integrated into ministries that serve the entire church. "We found that they just want to be part of what the whole church is doing," Keatts said.
Other churches, though, have full-fledged older adult ministries.
At First Baptist Church, Huntsville, in Madison Baptist Association, Mark Seanor’s title as minister to experienced adults illustrates the role of the church’s ministry to those over 55.
"We have divided our ministries by life stage instead of age," he said. Members who are part of the experienced adults "life stage" are called by that term because "they have so much to contribute."
Dalraida Baptist Church, Montgomery, in Montgomery Baptist Association is a perfect example of a church that is kept alive by its older members.
Minister of Senior Adults Doyle Roberson said two-thirds of those who attend Sunday morning worship are older members and the church, therefore, relies on those members to keep its varied ministries going.
"At Dalraida, we support 12 community ministries weekly with our senior adults," he said. "We also have a homebound ministry of 45 people, supported by our senior adults. And we have a senior adult choir that sings several times a month in long-term care facilities."
Because of older members’ specific needs, churches often find they have to alter some longtime ministries.
For example, First Baptist Church, Arab, in Marshall Baptist Association found the traditional Wednesday evening prayer service was hard for some older members to attend. Instead the church offers a Wednesday morning prayer service and Bible study.
But pastors agree that any challenges posed by ministering to older adults dim in comparison to the benefits provided by those members.
Paul Murphy, pastor of First, Arab, said older members are powerful examples to other church members.
"They take the work of the local church as a personal responsibility," he said. "They undertake the ministry of the church as a matter of Christian duty in the very best sense, including faithfulness in attendance, giving and volunteering."
Keatts agreed, noting the importance of recognizing the gifts that older members can contribute. He added that it is a shame that more churches do not have the powerful combination of a vital older membership and a growing younger one.
"What pastors and churches need to remember is that everyone, regardless of their age, is valuable to God," Keatts said. "Churches must not miss out on what the entire body — including all ages — has to offer."
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