Reaching the aging population in your neighborhood is a vital investment in the well-being and cohesion of the entire faith community.
By Aaron Summers
“Who is my neighbor?” the rich young ruler asked. Jesus responded with a parable (Luke 10:25-37), explaining that those in need are our neighbors. The parable of the good Samaritan leads us to think of the least of these: abused, neglected, poor, and alone. But have you considered the senior adults in your church who are also part of our community and in need of our support?
I thought about kids. I thought of families. But I didn’t think of senior adults. Why not?
We operate from several assumptions:
- Senior adults don’t need us, but we need them.
- Senior adults already know Jesus.
- We look to what’s next (kids), not what’s current (senior adults).
- We value life over death, so we focus on kids, not the elderly.
Jesus’s parable challenges these assumptions. When viewed broadly, the parable reminds us those in need are all ages. News reports of elder abuse by families and institutions are common. Senior adults are left alone to figure it out while the rest of the family lives their best lives. Many senior adults have outlived their pensions. They’re also lonely. The victim in the parable represents your seniors as well as your preschoolers.
An aging population and the church
Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples of every nation. Each of today’s generations is much like a nation. They have distinct languages, cultures, morals, ethics, and views. Going and making disciples of all nations includes making disciples of each generation. Would we ignore an entire people group? So, why would we not seek to reach every generation?
Recent data from the Lausanne Movement’s State of the Great Commission report reveals people are living longer, resulting in more senior adults. In 2018, the number of people over 65 outnumbered those under 5 for the first time in recorded history. In 2022, 10% of the world was over 65. By 2050, that percentage is expected to increase to 16%. By 2100, 25% of the world will be over 65, meaning the percentage of those over 65 will be three times higher than those under 5.
In 2018, the number of people over 65 outnumbered those under 5 for the first time in recorded history. In 2022, 10% of the world was over 65. By 2050, that percentage is expected to increase to 16%. Share on XThis will present some challenges to the church. As Boomers age, they’re living longer than previous generations. But the current pattern is for many to move into long-term assisted living. Some are traveling and enjoying life with less concern for the church than they once had. If Boomers don’t continue to attend, give, and serve in the church, who will?
Additionally, current Social Security and Medicare programs are strained under increased weight. The church will face financial difficulties because the “fixed income” group rises in number and reduces in financial stability, impacting the rapid decline of churches. With as many as 3 in 5 churches plateaued or declining, how will they survive?
Many churches view the young as the sole effort for outreach. Certainly, every church needs the next generation to keep the fire burning. However, why are we not balancing our efforts to reach older generations with the gospel as well?
An aging population and the gospel
We generally assume the older generations know Jesus. But here are four reasons this may be a fallacy:
1. Emotional manipulation from the pulpit
For several decades, the push for salvation came so strong that many were emotionally manipulated. I’ve experienced preaching that caused great fear or tremendous guilt. The issue is that this is man-made more than Spirit-driven. We cannot assume our senior adults know Jesus personally.
2. Cultural Christianity
Cultural Christianity during the 1970s to 2000s created a problem in that it served people well financially and professionally to attend church on Sundays. Globally, 84% of adults say religion is an important part of their daily lives. However, that “religion” may not be a relationship with Jesus. Even among those who claim to be Christians, I’m amazed at how many Boomers and Silents fall back on works instead of faith. They are often doggedly loyal to that line of thinking, too.
3. Salvation is assumed through attendance
How many have grown up with the notion that being a good disciple means attending more often? Mark Powers writes, “Discipleship in the institutional church is too often only a training program for churchmanship. Our strategy for equipping good church members is to fill them with information and hope they become good disciples. Then, we define discipleship by how many church activities they attend. We have missed the point.”
4. Salvation is assumed because of age.
Of course, Grandma knows Jesus. Well, then prove it.
Reaching an aging population
We are fond of saying the Great Commission is without race, but it’s also without age. So how do we reach and disciple the older generations?
1. Reconnect to evangelism
According to the research from the Lausanne Movement, “Many trust Christ on their deathbed, and others come to faith in older ages. Increasing longevity and the looming shadow of mortality, combined with the evangelistic potency of Christian love and care, may create something like a 70-100 Window, similar to the well-known 4-14 Window.” Engaging with older adults is not just a responsibility but a potential source of great spiritual growth and renewal for our faith community.
“Increasing longevity and the looming shadow of mortality, combined with the evangelistic potency of Christian love and care, may create something like a 70-100 Window, similar to the well-known 4-14 Window.” Share on X2. Develop a heart for all generations
Acquire recent and accurate demographics of people living within a 10-minute drive of your church. Examine the data thoroughly. Do you live in an area with a high senior adult population? How many are 55-75? How many are over 75? These two groups have different ministry needs. Begin praying for these groups in a broad sense. Over time, begin to pray for specific opportunities to have gospel conversations. It’s no different than if I told you how to reach Millennials or Gen Z. Pray. Relate. Converse. Call.
3. Commission your church to reach every generation
Commissioning our churches to reach all generations is essential for fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient faith community. In today’s rapidly evolving society, churches must adapt to different age groups’ diverse needs and perspectives to remain relevant and impactful.
Reaching all generations aligns with the core Christian mission of inclusivity and love. Jesus’s teachings emphasize caring for and valuing everyone, regardless of age.
By commissioning our churches to reach all generations, we embody these teachings, creating a faith community that truly reflects the diversity and unity of God’s creation. This holistic approach nurtures individual spiritual growth and strengthens the church’s role as a beacon of hope and love in the wider world.
Reaching the aging population in your neighborhood isn’t just a compassionate endeavor but a vital investment in the well-being and cohesion of the entire faith community. By fostering solid connections with older adults, we acknowledge their invaluable contributions and ensure they remain active, respected societal participants.
“Reaching the aging population in your neighborhood isn’t just a compassionate endeavor but a vital investment in the well-being and cohesion of the entire faith community.” — @aaronwsummers Share on XProviding accessible services and encouraging intergenerational activities can significantly enhance their quality of life and reduce feelings of isolation. Our collective responsibility is to build a supportive environment that honors the dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of age. By doing so, we not only enrich the lives of our elderly neighbors but also cultivate a more empathetic, resilient, and inclusive faith community for all.
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