Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Issue link: http://horizons.epubxp.com/i/52581
we must remember that seniors, like everyone else, need love, acceptance, affirmation, fulfillment, encourage- ment and practical help in their daily lives. We are called to help all people, including new seniors and older adults, achieve the highest possible level of the abundant life Jesus came to offer. Most seniors are fully capable of navigating their own lives and ministries. They also are able and willing to minister to others; this ministry can help them rediscover the joy of being members of the body of Christ. In today's multi-generational society, many young people are looking for a church that will meet the needs of family, parents and grandparents. Like all ministries, ministry for older adults must respond to human needs and be sensitive to individual preferences. The church must show concern for the spiritual, personal, physical and social needs of all people, and must emphasize respect, dignity and appreciation—for all persons are made in the image of God. Older Adult Ministries Certification: A Proactive Approach By Jan McGilliard Older Adult Ministries certification provides an opportunity to become proficient in the language of the "third age"—of those who have traveled further on the journey of life. The certification process is designed to educate individuals to be in effective ministry with a rapidly growing segment of the population. It is in the life of the church that we promise to nurture and love each other as the people of God, from cradle to grave and beyond. Later life presents many opportunities and challenges unique to mature adults, with the common theme of change. Through the Older Adult Ministries Certification Program, POAMN offers excellent training that prepares individuals to engage in ministry with older adults in the context of their faith communities, family networks and local communities. It provides a theological and biblical background as applied to the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of older adults. Participants will be able to advocate for older adults in a professional way, and provide education and advocacy for all whose ministry involves older adults. Training is available in various tracks: • Spiritual Formation for Older Adult Ministries • Teaching for Transformation in Older Adult Ministries • Reformed Theological Answers to Questions of Middle/ Older Adults • Physical and Mental Changes in Aging • Elective Study: choose an area of special interest • Final Project: integrate coursework in a practical, final project To learn more about POAMN's Older Adult Ministry Certification Program, contact Jan McGilliard at janmcgilli@gmail.com, or 540/953-1366. Jan McGilliard is a gerontologist with interests in Celtic spirituality and congregational care. She is a ruling elder and lay preacher, currently serving as acting campus minister at Virginia Tech. Michele Shultz Hendrix serves as POAMN Conference Planner and is passionately involved in advocacy, program development, Christian care- management, and providing resources in the area of older adult ministry. Notes 1. For more information, visit www.pcusa.org/ news/2011/3/29/looking-inside-presbyterian- congregations. 2. Lisa Hetzel and Anneta Smith, "The 65 Years and Over Population: 2000," Census 2000 Brief C2KBR/01-10 (Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau, 2001), 1. 3. Frank Hobbes, "The Elderly Population," Population Profile of the United States (Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau, 1994), 1. 4. U.S. Census Bureau, "Older Americans Month: May 2011," U.S. Census Bureau News, March 23, 2011. 5. Ibid. o Resources Older Adult Ministry:A Resource for Program Development A manual with strategies, program plans and theological reflections for churches seeking resources for older adult ministry. Order through Presbyterian Distribution Service, 800/524-2612; item 21785429; $5.95 plus shipping. Senior Adult Ministry in the 21st Century By David P. Gallagher Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2002 Learn insights and strategies for ministries with people who are 50 or older. November/December 2011 9