California Group Helps Churches in Their Oft-Forgotten 'Seniors Ministry'
by Allie Martin
January 12, 2004
(AgapePress) - While many churches are gearing their outreaches toward young people, a California-based ministry is encouraging churches not to lose sight of the "Baby Boomers."It was back in 1983 when three Southern California churches formed the Christian Association of Senior Adults (CASA) as a way to provide fellowship and inspiration for senior adult members. Now CASA has a number of leadership resources, including a speakers and consultants network to help churches minister to senior adults.
Dr. Ed Neteland, executive director of CASA, says too many churches are age-driven in their ministry efforts.
"The reality in the Church, just like in society, is that people are living longer -- so that [portion of the] population that used to die off is still around," Neteland says. "Because of the focus on health and well-being and new advances in medicine, people live longer and they're no longer just sitting in a wheelchair. So the challenge is [to make use of this] tremendous resource that the Church has."
According to Neteland, there are many opportunities for senior adults to serve in churches. But many churches, he says, are unprepared to meet the challenge of the growing population of older adults.
"The danger is that [churches might] not give any attention to that growing audience and say 'Well, they're adults, let them take care of themselves' -- or [neglect to] motivate and challenge them to utilize their time and talents for the Kingdom," he says.
To help churches avoid that trap, CASA makes available a variety of resources for church leaders and for the older adults themselves -- quarterly publications, books and audio cassettes, and leadership conferences.
The group's next annual leadership conference is scheduled for November in Irvine, California. It also has a "Life Celebration" scheduled for February 28, 2004, in nearby Fullerton that will feature Dr. Jack Hayford, pastor of the Church on the Way (in Van Nuys), and Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, who recently retired from his post as chaplain of the U.S. Senate.
CASA has member churches in 36 states as well as in Canada, Australia, and Brazil.
