Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network (POAMN) is a network of individuals, congregations, governing bodies and retirement communities committed to the spiritual, emotional, physical and social well-being of older persons and those who care for them. POAMN advocates and supports the Christian view that the life of older persons is to be affirmed and accepted, their needs respected and their contributions sought and used to the fullest.
POAMN along with ARMSS (Association of Retired Ministers, their Spouses & Survivors) and PAHSA (Presbyterian Association of Homes & Services for the Aging) can be considered as the “experts” in older adult ministry within our denomination. Each group has a definite focus, yet we serve the same audience … older adults.
POAMN had its beginnings in 1982 when the Office on Aging in Atlanta initiated a program to have two persons from each of our 16 synods come together for a two-year term as enablers and volunteer their efforts to communicate to the church that we all are a part of the graying of America.
Just about the same time the Gift of a Lifetime was initiated, thanks to a major gift from the women of the church. Several persons gave up to two years of their time to do individual staff assignments in several churches where they developed older adult ministry programs.
In the midst of all this activity, the larger church was coming together in the 1983 reunion. The transition included the continuance of the Office on Aging, which ultimately located in Louisville, Ky. During that time, POAMN related to a unit/division for a number of years and The Office on Aging had oversight.
Then and now, POAMN offers excellent resources and people who know the field of aging. POAMN holds an annual conference with a keynote speaker and high-quality workshops. A certification program in older adult ministry is offered to prepare persons to serve older adults in congregations and communities.
Through the years, thanks to the Office on Aging and POAMN, many resources have been produced to help understand the rapidly growing population of older adults and share ways to serve them. The annual conference brings people with like interests together to share best practices, learn together and support each other in common ministry. While the attendees are not large in number, every year at least half of the attendees have attended for the first time.
Funding for POAMN is dependent upon dues from its 80-plus members.
HELEN MORRISON is a ruling elder in the PC(USA) and the current president of POAMN.
