CofE's aiming for a 'younger church' - but could witness to older people help wider church growth?

'Organisations like Faith in Later Life and the Anna Chaplaincy network are helping to promote and encourage outreach to older members of our communities. They are doing great work across the UK'.

So writes Peter Crumpler, journalist and C of E minister who has collaborated with Anna Chaplain Maggie Dodd in Hertfordshire on several projects.

The Revd Peter Crumpler is a Church of England minister in St Albans and a former communications director with the CofE. He takes the lead on older persons’ ministry in the church where he serves. In his latest article for Christian Today he explains why churches need to keep a focus on outreach to older people:

'To ignore them is to miss out on a major mission opportunity.'

Putting all older people in the same bracket is unwise now that older age can extend over several decades for some. Peter Crumpler sees at least three categories which may be helpful for decision makers to take into account:

The ‘go-go’ people: Men and women, often new to retirement, who are physically and mentally active and often looking for opportunities for voluntary service in areas that are perhaps very different to their previous paid work. 

Office volunteer (Photo credit: Centre for Ageing Better)

The ‘slow-go’ people: Men and women who are no longer as active, perhaps because of illness, adjusting to life following the bereavement of a spouse, or needing to care for a family member. 

(Photo credit: Centre for Ageing Better)

The ‘no-go’ people: These are older people who are now home-based or living in a care setting. Visits from church members, services held at care homes, and ‘live-streaming’ of church services can also be a link for them to the worshipping community. Many churches have adopted care homes in their area, and provide regular times of worship, and visits. 

You may read his full article here: https://www.christiantoday.com/news/want-to-reach-older-people-you-need-to-look-beyond-the-stereotypes

Christian Today is an independent Christian media company, established in 2004.

'While evangelical at heart' they say, '(read our basis of faith here), we are passionate about bringing the whole Church together and helping Christians of different denominations and groupings to learn from each other. To this end, you will find a range of voices, views and opinion... not all of which will be considered orthodox evangelical.'

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