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Table of Contents
There’s Gold Silver In Them Thar’ Hills
A common stereotype about older adults is that they are caretakers, not caregivers; resource consumers, rather than resource providers. The truth, however, is that older adults represent considerable value to a local church. Here are a few ways senior adults are potential solutions rather than potential causes to common church problems:
COMMON CHURCH PROBLEM |
THE HIDDEN TREASURE
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| 1. Surveys indicate that a pastor’s most common frustration is a lack of dedicated laypeople to do the work of the church. |
1.Senior adults average two to three most times as many available hours for church-related activities as any other age group. |
| 2. Financial shortfalls are the most common reason for not adding buildings, programs, and/or staff. |
2. In a given year, one senior-adult church member will give seven times the amount of money that a baby boomer member in the same church will give. |
| 3. Members transferring jobs and/or moving to another community account for 3–5 percent membershiploss each year. |
3.Senior adults change their address an average of once every 12 years, compared to the national average of once every 7 years. |
| 4. Low institutional loyalty is a common characteristic of baby boomers. Most churches find it difficult to solicit membership or even long-term commitment from this age group. |
4. High institutional loyalty is a common characteristic of senior adults. When they join, they stay and are committed. |
| 5. Biblical illiteracy is common among laity in many churches. As a result, pastoral teaching often remains at the elementary level. |
5.Most senior-adult members have been Christians for years. Having experienced life’s mountains and valleys, they have a wealth of wisdom to share. |
Charles Arn, Ed.D., Monrovia, California.
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