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Ageism and the Church A-2 Page 1 of 2 Ageism is discrimination against • “Most old people are senile. They some young blood in our congregation. program. Many who no longer have people, especially older ones, because don't know what they are doing and We are going to die out if some people full-time jobs have plenty of vigor. of their age. It produces a mindset that can't reason or learn.” In the past with children don't come soon.” “How They are a potential source of despises old age in others and in even physicians seemed to believe old is that candidate? We don't want a volunteers for your church's ministry. ourselves. It has spilled over into the senility was part of life. They failed pastor who's coasting to retirement.” While making substantial financial church, often in ways we are unaware. to diagnose dietary deficiencies. “Well, Mrs. Smith has been on the contributions to the church, older They overlooked the possibility of board for years. She must be ready to people should not have to put up with History and effects of several drugs or prescribed rest on her laurels. Besides, it's time to hearing that the church is dying tranquilizers. More people were give the younger people a chance.” because it is filled with old people. For Background disoriented than necessary. Now All these statements indicate that the those members who are on a limited In Proverbs we are told to “Listen to physicians are aware of this and are church isn’t taking seriously the idea fixed income, ways need to be your father, without him you would not treating root causes rather than that life is constantly renewed in Jesus developed so that they can contribute exist. When your mother is old, show accepting symptoms of senility as Christ. Nor do they show that God to the ongoing life of the church in her your appreciation” (Proverbs inevitable. values all people, not because of who ways other than increasing monetary 23:32, TEV). In Job, it is noted that • “Most old people end up in a nursing or what they are but because they are contributions. Can they set up coffee wisdom belongs to the old: “There is home, assisted living or retirement God’s children. These statements are after church? Can they teach church wisdom, remember, in age, and long center.” Actually, about 20% percent based on stereotypes; commonly held school or make decisions about the life brings understanding” (Job12:12, of the population is in such places. beliefs that aren't true and don't deal budget? Can they fix the thermostat or NEB). While The New Testament • “Old people are unattractive, with the individual but with an idea of supervise the youth who are tending doesn't say much about older people, it what it's like to be old. Pastors who the shrubs? Can they edit the church unsociable and do not get along with does assure us that life is constantly coast come in all ages-and so do active newsletter? Can they teach cooking to younger people.” Anyone who has renewed in Jesus Christ. pastors. Pastors need to appeal to older new immigrants or be foster had a cherished grandparent knows There are negative aspects of people as well as youth. Most churches grandparents? how untrue this image is. growing older. Some of our negative have more old people than youth, but While it's true that not every person images of the aging process arise out It is becoming more imperative that you don't very often hear, “Do you who is older is also incapacitated, of fear of our own aging, of our the church come to terms with its think she'll get along with the old physical changes affect some church finitude and inevitable death. Negative ageism, because in the United States: people.” members. Churches almost always images also arise out of “facts” about • There are more than 35 million Some churches have programs for have a nursery for children who need older people, many of which are not people 65 and older. older people. They have set up a care. Churches expect to provide this facts at all. These need to be dispelled telephone check-in service for calling service. Those churches usually do not before ageism is conquered. For • By the year 2050, 35% of the people every morning. They have have hearing aids built into the pews or example: population will be at least 65. begun drop-in centers or adult day- doors that are easily opened or aisles • “All old people resist new ideas.” In • The percentage of mainline church care centers to provide enough services wide enough for wheelchairs. so people don't have to go to full-care People who do all right elsewhere fact, an individual's personality traits members over 60 is now estimated facilities. Members participate in seem to be on display if they sit while become more marked the older she to be 25% and is expected to be 40% delivery of meals, shop for people who others stand through a call to worship, or he becomes. So, people who are by the year 2020. can't get out or bring them to church on opening hymn and invocation. creative and imaginative remain Sunday. People who are isolated during the creative and imaginative. Cranky Common Practices All those programs are needed. week because many of their friends people become crankier. Every person, regardless of age, should have died, they don't drive, or their Independent people tend to be Some churches practice ageism. “Will be able to determine for her or himself kids live out of town often continue to fiercely independent. the new pastor appeal to the young how to participate in the church's be isolated on Sunday mornings. They people?” “I surely wish we could get Ageism and the Church A-2 Page 2 of 2 of the church as encompassing Westminster/John Knox Press, Questions are in “the old ladies' class” rather “faithful people of all ages, tongues 1991) helps people explore ways to than an intergenerational class where • What does your church do that and races,” the intention was to expand their lives as they age. they can tell their stories and share refer to epochs of history. Would • Why Survive: Being Old in contributes to ageism? their joys and sorrows. They are given • Is the percentage of people over 55 “all ages” be as meaningful if it America by Robert N. Butler (New a bulletin with fine print and ushered who serve on committees in your meant people from infancy to old York: Harper Collins, 1985) is a into an uncomfortable pew. church about the same as the per- age? well-documented study relating the • People face losses as they grow history of discrimination against the centage of people over 55 in the congregation? Issues Facing older: friends and family die, elderly and identifying necessary • What is one way your church could occupation and its prestige are left legislative action to cause changes. the Church behind, agility and mobility may be • Longevity and Quality of Life: educate people about ageism? • Programs with and for older people lost. How can the church help Opportunities and Challenges • What is one program your church people deal with the depression, edited by Robert N. Butler and might consider participating in for are needed. Yet, they will not get at the root causes of ageism. despair and anger that naturally Claude Jasmin (Plenum Publishers older people? accompany loss and change? 1999). • What is one new way your church Education and advocacy are needed to get at the root causes of • Although the focus here is on older • Take Care: Help and Advice for could work with older people? alienation, loneliness and poverty. people, there is discrimination Caregivers by Anne Rhodes • What is one way your church could The church can help eliminate the against young people as well. Can (Harper- Collins Publishers, 1998). be an advocate for social change crippling images of old people as you think of ways your church • Promoting Healthy Aging: A that would benefit older people? senile, reclusive, uninterested and participates in this kind of ageism? Community Perspective, by Anne uninteresting. What is the role for What could you do about it? C. Breckenridge (Mosby Inc. the church in effecting social • One of the results of the aging of 1993). change related to ageism beyond its the population is an increase in the • Aging: Culture, Health and own doors? study of ageism. How can you Social Change by David N. • Obviously, churches that have no remain informed and help your Weisstab (Springer-Verlang, 2001). young people will someday no church hold correct assumptions • Learn to Grow Old by Paul longer be viable. But a church that about aging? Tournier (Louisville, KY: ministers to and through its people Westminster/John Knox Press, will have appeal to people of all 1991) relates this theologian's Resources ages. How can a church minister to experience in growing old to his and through its people no matter There are an increasing number of Christian witness. what their age? good materials on aging. Ask at your • Aging: The Fulfillment of Life by • There is some disagreement about public library about them. Here is a Henri J. Nouwen and Walter J. whether ageism will worsen or sampling: Gaffney (Garden City, NY: improve as the number of older • Aging as a Spiritual Journey by Doubleday, 1976) combines people increases. What can the Eugene C. Bianchi (New York: photography with an understanding church do to make certain there is Crossroad Publishing, 1984) of the causes and problems of less rather than more discrimination explores the spiritual journey for aging. © 2005, Parish Life and Leadership as the age of the population aging persons. Ministry Team of Local Church increases? • Aging Comes of Age: Older Ministries, a Covenanted Ministry of the • Although the Statement of Faith of People Finding Themselves by United Church of Christ the United Church of Christ speaks Frank Hutchison (Louisville, KY: