April 21, 2003
Senior adults encouraged to reach out
to bring aging boomers to fuller faith
___By John Hall
___Texas Baptist Communications
___WACO--Senior adults must overcome fear and welcome the baby boomers into their ranks to effectively reach them for Christ, according to speakers at the Texas Baptist Senior Adult Summit.
___The baby boomer generation, usually defined as people born between 1946 and 1964, is presenting challenges for churches nationwide as it surges into senior adulthood, said Patsy Zailer, coordinator of senior adult ministries at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston.
___"We are on the threshold of a new era in senior adult ministry," she said.
___Boomers are markedly different from their parents, known as the traditionalist generation, Zailer explained. Boomers lived through the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Watergate, the space race, Vietnam War, hippie movement and women's liberation efforts.
___They are highly educated and seek to be better off financially than their parents, Zailer said. They are having trouble aging, resorting to exercise and plastic surgery to keep a youthful appearance.
___Although the pendulum appears to be swinging back to more formal fashions for men, boomers remain a casually-dressed generation, she said. People who wear suits to work during the week often come to church in jeans and sandals.
___Many boomers believe they had enough church when they were young, she said. They vigorously support tolerance and see any sincere belief as good. There is a sharp decrease in biblical knowledge from traditionalists to boomers.
___Boomers expect immediate electronic communication and think about missions globally, Zailer said. Stewardship is giving one's time and talent, not just money.
___These characteristics scare many senior citizens who have seen the effect boomers have had on American society as they aged, Zailer said and the audience affirmed.
___Dennis Myers of the Baylor University School of Social Work compared being a senior adult to the Jews standing on the edge of the Promised Land. Many Jews feared the strong people who lived in the region and did not want to follow God's will. Others looked to the possibilities and acted faithfully.
___Myers encouraged senior adults to step out of their comfort zone and "act as if." Emotions often lead people to act, but Myers argues that many times the emotions come after the actions.
___Senior adults can minister to the aging generation by prayerfully brainstorming new ways to cooperate in ministry, Zailer said, adding that the key to ministering to boomers is being flexible enough to meet their needs.
___Along with altering programs, churches need efforts that specifically target boomers' needs, Zailer continued. Support groups for divorce, depression and stress can be helpful. Having a counselor or psychologist also may help a church's outreach.
___"We've got to be flexible to reach people," she said. "The main thing is to reach people."
___
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