I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 NIV
**My thoughts today are on the VALUE of having Senior Adults as Volunteers in your ministry.
The relationship with God becomes sweeter with age…
There is one thing that comforts me day in and day out, especially on days when I can’t figure myself out or understand why God would want to call me his own. It is this: he has searched me and known me. He is familiar with all my ways. All my days were ordained before me and he has written every one of them in his book (Psalm 139). God has written a book about each of us…that’s how much we are on his heart. That means he has followed the story of my life – and yours. He was the God of my childhood, the God of my teenage years, the God of my honeymoon and parenting years. And he is now the God of the second half of my life, just as well as the first half. There is something comforting knowing that God has seen my life from beginning to end, and as I’m in the second half of it inching toward the end, he is there to guide me to the finish line. For this reason, I can be content “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” and “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Thank you, God, for lessons learned, experiences gained, and wisdom that comes through living life (Proverbs 3:13).
*I recently attended a KIDMIN Conference in Chicago. One of the seminars I attended was an idea sharing seminar. I was particularly interested in the ways the churches were welcoming Senior Adults to help with Children/Youth Ministry.
Here are a few ways to consider…
Have them be greeters at the doors of your Sabbath School Classrooms.Their only job would be to welcome everyone and interact personally with them helping to develop a relationship and an atmosphere of value for both the older and younger members.
- One particular church called their Senior Adults the ”High 5” group.They also monitored the halls and did bathroom trips.This same group gave our stickers etc for those that knew their Memory Verses.
- Another church allowed the Senior Adults to sit in chairs if they could not stand at the door.
- How about having a HUG station where the young person can go to have someone that cares to talk to.
Volunteers are hard to recruit for ministry. Why not tap into a Senior Adult Team that needs to have you…
- Understand that they are not opposed to change
- They would love you to ask them to serve
- Trust them with some of your prayer concerns
- Invite them to join you on a ministry visit
- Keep reminding them that you want to reach my kids and grand kids
- Help me understand that younger folks really do want older folks in their lives
IDEAS to get started:
- Intergenerational Retreat
- Invite older adults and youth to participate in a retreat together. Plan for games, meals, Bible study, and sharing.
- Mutt Ministry
- Many older adults love dogs, cats, and other small animals yet are unable to care for them. This ministry shares the love of gentle animals with both senior adults and the younger generations.
- Latch Key Kid Ministry
- Older adults provide after school program, including tutoring and mentoring opportunities for children.
Calendar Updates: 2017
October 7 Go Fish Community Outreach Brandon Spanish
**October 20-22 Couples Retreat @ Camp Kulaqua Speaker is Mike Tucker from Faith for Today. “Mad about Marriage” Register @ the Camp Kulaqua website under events. Plan to come and be blessed.
October 31 Fall Fest/Trunk or Treat @ Forest Lake Church parking area
November 3-5 Creative Ministry @ New Community SDA Church (Palmetto Bay)
*I would love to hear if you have a Senior Adult Ministry in your church or you are planning to start one. Praying for you as you embrace this multigenerational ministry.
I know the Lord will Bless you and your church. Keep me posted.