How We Change
Most of us know that young adults act different from older adults. They think differently; they hold different values; they pursue different priorities. The explanation for these changes is not generational, but gerontological. Considerable research has been done in the developmental stages of aging and found that our mental-processing methodology changes predictably with our age.
Senior-adult researcher, David Wolfe, summarizes the major changes that occur in our worldview as we age.1 What implications might these changes suggest for an effective ministry with older adults? How would senior-adult ministry differ from younger adults?
YOUNG ADULTS Heavily influenced by peers Highly materialistic values More objective More extrospective Perceptions in black and white More rigid More subordinated to others More predictable behavior More price sensitive Detail oriented |
MATURE ADULTS Declining influence by peers Declining materialistic values More subjective More introspective Perceptions in shades of gray More flexible More individualistic More discretionary behavior More quality sensitive Whole-picture oriented
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