From the time the baby boomers were being born, the study of aging in America became a hot topic. The White House Conferences on Aging (1951, 1961, 1971 and 1983) have illuminated the issues and challenges of a growing population of elders. In 2015, the White House Conference on Aging will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid and the Older Americans Act. The boomer generation is beginning to gray.
How has the PC(USA) responded to the graying of America? For the past 32 years, the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network (POAMN) has provided a framework for recognizing the gifts and challenges of growing older in the life of the church and a shared passion for ministry with and by older adults in congregations, presbyteries, non-profits, senior centers and retirement communities. POAMN is a vibrant, national network of individuals committed to equipping leaders, developing covenant connections and providing resources to welcome and encourage older adults to participate at every level of the church while meeting their needs and utilizing their talents. Established in 1983, the mission of POAMN is to educate, advocate, develop and share resources, and train leaders. It is in covenant relationship with the Mission Agency Board of the PC(USA).
The work of this network is accomplished through the efforts of all POAMN members, including pastors, educators, professionals, paraprofessionals, volunteers and the many others who work with older adults. The primary focus is to facilitate networking among older adult ministry colleagues through certification, training conferences, specialized educational workshops, forums for sharing ideas and experiences with others from across the nation.
POAMN holds an annual conference, publishes five editions per year of the POAMN Network News, hosts a web site at poamn.org and is active on Facebook at facebook.com/poamn. POAMN also publishes the “Older Adult Ministries Planning Guide” available annually in February. This guide provides an array of resources including the celebration of Older Adult Week in early May.
A hallmark of POAMN is its Older Adult Ministries Certification Program. The Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at Columbia Theological Seminary and POAMN are pleased to announce a new partnership that will better equip churches and faith-based organizations to address the needs of older adults. Beginning April 2015, the CLL will be the host location for the Older Adult Ministry Certificate Program (OAM). One certification course is being offered at the upcoming APCE (Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators) Conference in February: Spiritual Formation in Older Adult Ministry taught by Henry Simmons.
All executive presbyters, stated clerks and presbytery offices receive an electronic edition of POAMN Network News and are asked to forward it to churches and leaders in their respective presbyteries. POAMN also provides a popular series of “Older Adult Week” planning guides that are prepared in partnership with generous sponsors from various organizations. Through partnerships with churches and senior living communities across the nation, POAMN has been proud to distribute this guide to thousands of churches.
MICHELE HENDRIX is a caregiver specialist/master trainer with Powerful Tools for Caregivers and currently serves as president of the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network.
