Richard H. Gentzler Jr.

New Beginnings DVD

Mon, 16 May 2022 20:36:46 GMT

How are older adults living their later years?

New Beginnings looks at aging in our society and provides a glimpse at a variety of creative church ministries that are being enjoyed by older adults. Mission opportunities and teaching service abound in the stories told on film. Lives are changing, transitions are occurring, and new beginnings are taking place for countless numbers of older adults in our congregations.

Filmed on location around the U.S., New Beginnings comprises individual short stories of older adults and the role their faith plays in their churches and communities. Among the several short stories explored in this 20-minute film are vignettes including feeding the homeless, tutoring children, visiting the homebound, and making career transitions. Let New Beginnings spark creative ideas for your church's ministries with older adults!

For more information on aging and older adult ministries, call 877-899-2780, ext. 7177, or visit us online.

An Age of Opportunity

Sat, 14 May 2022 03:10:39 GMT

A companion to the author's earlier book Designing an Older Adult Ministry (Discipleship Resources, 1999), this book will provide new information and outline ways to develop and strengthen ministries by, with, and for older adults that can, and will, enhance the spiritual growth and well-being of people of all ages.

The church is beginning to recognize that there are vast numbers of older people in its membership. It is becoming aware of its indebtedness to them for the leadership, support, service, and faith that has made the church of today possible. The church is uniquely positioned to help older adults respond to the challenges of aging; to see the tremendous potentialities in the lives of older adult for making the church and community better; and to assist older people as they experience new meaning and purpose in their later lives.

Chapters include "Why Older-Adult Ministries?"; "Understanding the Aging Process"; "Aging and the Spiritual Journey"; "The New Seniors: Boomers?"; "Intentional Ministry by, with, and for Older Adults"; "Organizing for Intentional Ministry in the Local Church"; "Organizing for Intentional Ministry in the Conference"; "Congregational Care Ministry"; "Additional Ideas for Intentional Ministry"; and "Trends in Aging." Appendixes include a "Facts about Aging" quiz, information on creating and using older adult surveys, and suggested resources for further reading and study.

Gen2Gen

Sat, 14 May 2022 02:40:20 GMT

Gen2Gen: Sharing Jesus Across the Generations is a collection of articles on the newest trends and issues that are affecting individuals, families, churches, and communities. Developed by staff at Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church, Gen2Gen will challenge you to create ministries that connect with the youngest to the oldest members of society. Multigenerational congregations are best equipped to connect with diverse groups of people as they share faith in Jesus Christ. As a new generation emerges and the older adult population enters a period of explosive growth, it is time to turn our attention to how churches can effectively be in ministry across the generations.

Gen2Gen

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:46:56 GMT

Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:39:16 GMT

The church is in the hands of its elders. While the popular perception is that the aged are needy and infirm, Gentzler affirms that the majority of older adults have plenty to give. The church needs to tap into their wisdom, energy, experience, and talents.

Gentzler stresses that older adult ministries need to be by and with elders as well as for them, since participants will represent all stages of retirement and activity levels.

In addition to the practical issues of programming, Gentzler takes on more difficult topics of aging including chronic conditions, depression, and death. He also recommends that churches pay special attention to the needs of the Baby Boomer generation, since they are now becoming the older adults who will determine the church's path for years to come.

"As Boomers have cycled through their various life stages, they passed through 'hippie' and 'yuppie' to become 'abbies': aging Baby Boomers," Gentzler writes. "But don't tell Boomers they're aging. …They really do expect to stay young and see getting old as an option, rather than a reality."

The Leader's Guide is here.

An Age of Opportunity

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:38:25 GMT

Designing an Older Adult Ministry

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:27:48 GMT

Building on the success of Designing a Ministry by, with, and for Older Adults, author Rick Gentzler gives readers new ways to develop and strengthen ministries with older adults, providing:

information about the needs and life issues of older adults
tools to help congregations evaluate their current situation
models for ministry with older adults
suggested resources

For more information on ministries with older adults, contact the Center on Aging & Older Adult Ministries or call the toll-free number, 877.899.2780, extension 7177.

Safe Sanctuaries - Older Adults

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:24:28 GMT

Have you ever thought of older adults in your church as being vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, or neglect?

The statistics are sobering. According to the AARP Bulletin, each year 1 in 7 older Americans is victimized physically, emotionally, or financially. But many cases of elder abuse go unreported.

Elder abuse can happen to any older person—someone in your church, your neighbor, your loved one, even yourself—and anywhere. No church is immune from this reality.

Don't let your church be part of the problem. In this Safe Sanctuaries resource, Joy Thornburg Melton, an attorney and a former minister, offers valuable, practical advice to help churches reduce the possibilities for abuse and exploitation of elders.

Melton provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise in this excellent resource. She addresses such topics as:

Types of abuse (neglect, physical, sexual, psychological/emotional, financial)
Spiritual abuse and neglect (Dr. Richard Gentzler introduces these topics in the Foreword.)
Indicators of elder abuse
How churches are at risk
How churches can safeguard against abuse and exploitation of older adults
How congregations can care for the spiritual needs of nursing home residents, persons in assisted living facilities, or the homebound
What individuals and churches can to do to prevent financial exploitation of older adults
Best practices for beginning a ministry with and for older adults
Basic procedures for safely operating ministries for older adults
Planning how to respond to allegations of abuse
Much more

Learn how your church can recognize and respond to issues of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of your oldest parishioners. Real care on the part of congregations includes knowledge, advocacy, and appropriate action.

Rock of Ages

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:14:34 GMT

Rock of Ages is a large-print ecumenical songbook and worship guide for use in nursing homes, retirement communities, hospitals, and other older adult settings. It includes resources for leading worship, as well as the lyrics to more than 95 familiar hymns.