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27 August, 2010 | One comment | Evangelism and Church Planting

“All my life, I’ve known something was missing, and now I know what it was.” These were the words of Bob, a man who at the age of 80 found his way back to God and named Christ as the Lord of his life. Bob became a Christ follower while living in Carillon, a 55+ living community located in Plainfield, IL. Nearly 6 years ago, Community Christian Church, a multi-site campus based church in Naperville, IL, saw the ministry opportunities within Carillon and started weekly church services in the community’s clubhouse.

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Accept Aging or Fight It?

19 August, 2010 | No comments | Aging

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If Not Now, Then When?

6 August, 2010 | 2 comments | Older Adult Ministry

This week I read a great article regarding the ministry of YES! (Young Enough to Serve). This article tells the story of Frances, a 75-year old woman who is singing in a Mobile Home Choir, doing senior outreach work for her church and has just begun work on her Master’s degree in psychology and counseling. Her story reminds me of something I heard the late Dr. Gene Cohen (a leader in the field of aging) say in a presentation. He said as we get older we develop more of an attitude that says:

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Age Specific or Intergenerational Ministries? Why Not Both!

30 July, 2010 | 2 comments | Intergenerational Ministry

Peggy Horine never dreamed that her willingness to pray for a high school student from her church would one day result in her flying across the country to attend this young girl’s wedding. The relationship between these two women began when Peggy picked up a picture of Sara at a church gathering and called her to express she was praying for her. Peggy recalls, “We bonded instantly. She was so happy to have me in her life and in turn she made me feel like I was truly making a difference.”

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Baby Boomers On Facebook

23 July, 2010 | No comments | Baby Boomer Ministry

Baby Boomers are fastest growing group on Facebook as it sets record at 500 million users This news article caught my attention as it yet again serves as a reminder that Baby Boomers do not fit the aging stereotypes.

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Investing in Future Generations

9 July, 2010 | No comments | Intergenerational Ministry

In the New Testament era, what Timothy received from his mother and grandmother as recorded by the apostle Paul in II Timothy 1:5, is one of the greatest blessings that can occur through intergenerational relationships. Paul writes, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” This may be one of the most important goals of intergenerational ministry--to leave a legacy of faith for the next generation. In a society where the retirement years are often seen as a time for ‘self’ – some retirees are turning this idea upside down and investing themselves in the future generation.

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Abandon Retirement

2 July, 2010 | No comments | Retirement

This powerful video speaks against what our world so often teaches us about retirement. Take a look and then tell me what you think.

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The Boomer Director

25 June, 2010 | No comments | Baby Boomer Ministry

While I said in an earlier post that the church seems to be slow to wake-up to the need for ministry with aging baby boomers, I have also been thrilled to see some talk about the future of this ministry. In March, Church Executive published an article by Sam Rainer where he forecasted some new church staff positions to emerge by the year 2020. One of the seven positions he mentioned was The Boomer Director. He wrote, “…there is a large generational divide between the Builders and the Boomers—as big a divide as the one between Generation X and the Boomers. The ministry that reached the Builders will not reach the Boomers. And it all starts with the name. Boomers do not like to be called “seniors,” so if you think that your existing seniors ministry will attract Boomers, you’re probably not going to reach many Boomers.”

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Why Aren’t More Leaders Excited about Ministry with the Encore Generation?

18 June, 2010 | No comments | Baby Boomer Ministry

In the Winter 2010 issue of Leadership Journal, Dave Travis, managing director of Leadership Network, mentioned three things in the church that should be changing by now but aren’t. One of these was ministry to the encore generation. Dave said, “With the huge baby boomer population in this demographic, I’m surprised we’re not seeing growth for this sector.”

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Boomers Hate Being Called a Senior

4 June, 2010 | One comment | Baby Boomer Ministry

A month ago, the front page story of the Omaha World Herald was titled: “Baby Boomers cringe at ‘senior’ label.” Aging baby boomers do not think of themselves as old and definitely do not want to be labeled with any word that sounds old. Putting the words boomer and senior in the same sentence just doesn’t mix well.

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