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By Linda Worthington
UMConnection Staff

As the church strives to maintain or regain its membership, most put an emphasis on reaching young adults. But there’s another way to look at it, said the Rev. Richard “Rick” Gentzler, Jr., at a daylong seminar, “Exploring the Longevity Revolution,” held at Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg Oct. 24.

“Many congregations feel guilty if they don’t have youth and children,” he said. “I believe congregational vitality is just as important in midlife and older adults.” That’s because at midlife and beyond, he said, people have some of their greatest transitions, referring to losses of jobs, spouses, loved ones, homes and income. Meeting these transitions is a job for the church.

Gentzler is the recently retired director of the Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship. He is recognized nationally as a teacher, writer and leader in the field of aging, midlife and older adult ministries.

The seminar was organized by the Rev. Wayne DeHart, Director of Church Relations for Asbury Communities. As a part of Asbury Communities, his role is to strengthen the partnership relationship between Asbury and local faith communities. Part of his role is to provide opportunities to explore spirituality in older adults. Aging is a continuing journey of faith and growth in spirituality, he said.

The first of four sessions was on myths and realities of aging. The 80 people gathered in the Cultural Arts and Wellness Center learned that the population of persons aged 65 and over increased from 3 million in 1900 to 35 million in 2000 and will reach 72 million by 2030.

“The most shocking reality is that we have not prepared for an aging population at all,” Gentzler said, “even with demographics that show the population is growing older all the time.” The Older Adult (OA) population may soon equal the number of children and youth under the age of 15. Fifty-two percent do not participate in church at all.

According to the 2010 US Census Bureau, 13 percent of the US population is over 65, and 12.3 percent of Maryland’s population is over 65. In The United Methodist Church, 55 percent of membership is over 50 years of age and nearly 1/3 of membership is 65 years or older. On the positive side, today the over 65s are generally healthier, wealthier and more active than in previous generations.

The second session looked at religion and faith in older adults.  For many OAs, meaning in life is expressed in religious beliefs and practices, with faith and spiritual growth providing consolation and strength during difficult times, as well as a guide for daily living. Seniors’ spirituality and faith development were summarized in the “FACES”: F for finding a new sense of self-worth; A for adapting and accepting the many losses and changes in life, C for the desire to create a legacy, E for experiencing meaning and purpose; S for sharing wisdom and faith.

Gentzler acknowledged that OAs also experience many barriers to spiritual growth: anger with God, personal feelings and attitudes, and institutional barriers such as accessibility issues (too many steps) or holding Bible study at night when many seniors are afraid or reluctant to drive. Different styles of worship and music may be bewildering to OAs. When a church shows little interest in its older adults, they may lose their sense of value and worth, which diminishes faith development.

The “Boomer Generation” was the topic of Session 3. The group looked at general characteristics of Boomers, those who were born between 1946 and 1964 and are now reaching retirement age: They don’t accept that they are “older;” they work longer than ever before; are consumer oriented;  anti-institutional; less active in the church, and they love Rock ‘n Roll music. Even among this generation there are sharp differences between the Leading Edge group, born between 1946-1954, and the Trailing Boomers, born between 1955-1964.

The Boomer population, since its birth, has influenced societal norms. It is the largest cohort in the US population with 77 million Boomers living today. They are turning 65 (retirement age) at the rate of 10,000 a day.

Boomers are not interested in institutional rules, including the church, Gentzler said. They often act in counter-cultural ways, especially in contrast to the Builder Generation (1907-1928), which includes their parents. They are reluctant to let go of the image of youth, forged in the turbulent 60s and 70s, and they see getting old as an option. “I’m not old. I don’t need AARP,” is commonly heard. This image of youthfulness has sent millions of them to gyms and expanded the anti-aging products businesses.

In terms of religion, unlike the GI Generation (World War II) whose modus operandi was to “do it right,” Boomers want to “feel” it or “experience” it; they draw on bits and pieces from many sources for their spiritual nourishment and expression; and the sources are not necessarily Christian  or a particular brand of Christianity.

To meet the spiritual needs of Boomers and encourage them to attend church, among Gentzler’s suggestions are:

• Utilize a variety of program models to address their diversity.
• Create opportunities for Boomers to build caring relationships; they like to be in relationship with others, and appreciate intergenerational learning.
• Provide opportunities for mission and service, even better with family and friends.
• Target times of transitions and milestones, such as when they have the first grandchild.

Gentzler emphasized the Boomers’ denial of aging so do not ask them to participate in existing older adult programs. They will not.

Rather, he said, start new groups specifically designed for Boomers or are multi-generational. They like people of all ages, so offer a variety of entry points where they can meet others.

In the final portion of the day, looking at ministries with older adults, keep in mind three kinds of OAs, Gentzler said: the Go-Go, the Slow-Go and the No-Go, each descriptive of the over-65s. The first group is active, has a variety of interests, may be working, and still travels. The Slow-Gos are in a passive phase, with energy and health beginning to ebb and travel is shorter trips to visit family and friends. The No-Go phase seniors have health problems that restrict mobility and may need home health care or alternative housing.

How and what ministries to provide each phase may be summed up in the needs of S.E.N.I.O.R.S.: Spirituality, Enrichment, Nutrition/Fitness, Intergenerational, Outreach/Evangelism, Recreational and Service.