The Presbyterian Church has been facing similar changes and its response has paralleled that of many of its local churches. According to General Assembly’s Older Adult Ministries Office, the changes facing our denomination are a reflection of the nation as a whole.
The lengthening of the average human lifespan is one of the remarkable achievements of the 20th century. In 1900, life expectancy was only 47, but over those 100 years, it rose to 75 for men and 78 for women. The percentage of older persons in our global society is growing and expected to nearly double between 1990 and 2030.
This trend is no less apparent here in the United States and is especially noticeable within our own congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), where the average age of worshipers is 58 — and rising. For every worshiper under the age of 25, there are more than six worshipers over the age of 65; they account for 35% of all Presbyterians.
Older Adult Ministries Office
Our nation has been changing while our institutions struggle with their collective memories and membership as they respond. In many instances, the effort to create ministries resembles cosmetic surgery. In a desperate effort to appeal to a youth-oriented culture, churches change the face they show the community, yet remain a community that is vastly different than their appearance. Change that is skin deep is not change at all. Perhaps it is time to recognize and admit who we are.
In John Landis’ uproarious comedy the “Three Amigos!” Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short are three unemployed silent screen comedy stars who find themselves being recruited by a Mexican village, “Santo Poco,” to save them from a local gang of bandidos. After discovering that they have not been recruited to put on a show but to actually fight the bandidos, they decide to stand and join the village in their effort to rid themselves of the bandit invaders. Santo Poco’s salvation began when the three amigos admitted they are not who they pretended to be and told the villagers that it was up to the community to fight. “What is it that this town really does well?” Martin Short calls upon the villagers to use their best gifts to save their town.
Like the pastor who called upon the church’s leadership to be who they are, churches are most able to respond to challenges when they admit who they are and use their best gifts to respond to the challenges they face. One of the great gifts God has given us is the long life and collective experience of older adults. A church, like people, is most able to respond to life’s challenges when it admits and thanks God for what it is.
Older adults are one of God’s gifts to the church, not its liability. Those who have journeyed in faith for decades, who have survived and even thrived amidst the ravages of time, have so much to share. With older adults living longer, active lives than any time in history, it is time for people of faith to celebrate and embrace the life God has given. Instead of trying to be something we are not, perhaps God is calling the church to be what it is.
I have witnessed a living demonstration of this. Several churches that were facing declining membership joined together to organize a ministry for the region’s homeless people. The leadership was primarily composed of older adults who had the time, knowledge and resources to contribute to the development of an interfaith outreach. As the mission grew, the effort became visible among the churches and the community, drawing young families into service and leadership. The churches became known for their mission and some churches welcomed new families as a result of their strategic investment of their gifts in the community.
Two of the ministry’s most important leaders were from Westminster Gardens retirement community (Duarte, Calif.). In fact, many of the residents living at Westminster Gardens continue to be active leaders. They participate in various ministries in their churches or in the local community. Since many of the residents were pastors, missionaries and professional church workers, they continue to work as interim pastors for the local congregation and give their time to outreach ministries.
As the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) responds to the impending retirement of the large Boomer Generation, the largest contingent in American demographics, there is an opportunity to be a church that welcomes retiring adults. In the next three decades, 78 million more people will retire. The Boomer Generation, known for its entrepreneurial spirit, expensive tastes and emphasis on healthy lifestyle, is bringing change to the image of retirement and aging. Like many institutions, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can effectively minister to this population by affirming its identity and challenging its members to use its gifts for a ministry and mission that affirms older adults instead of denying the gift that they are.
Older adults are God’s gifts to the church! And more will come when we learn to affirm, celebrate and invest in older adults.
DOUGLAS G. EDWARDS is Director of Fund Development for Westminster Gardens, Duarte, Calif., www.westgardens.org or 626-358-2569.
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