• Goal of the Office of Older Adult Ministries
• Demographics
• Change in patterns of giving
• The challenge
• Why give through the Presbyterian Foundation?
• How can I designate my gift?
• What kinds of things will my gift support?
• Get more information about giving opportunities

Goal of the Office of Older Adult Ministries

In view of the increasing numbers of older persons in society and especially in the church, the Office of Older Adult Ministries was established to encourage development and resourcing of older adult ministry throughout the Presbyterian Church. In partnership with middle governing bodies the office develops strategies for leader development and support for ministry with, by and for older adults.

Demographics

Since 1900, life expectancy in the United States has increased by approximately 28 years, from 47 years of age to 75 years — a fact to be celebrated. Because of the increase in life expectancy, the number of older persons has greatly increased during this century. One projection placed older adults at 13 percent of the population in the year 2000, and 20 percent by 2030.

In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 67 percent of the total membership is 45 years of age or older, and more than one-third is over 65. The fastest growing segment of the population is the persons 85 years of age and over.

Change in patterns of giving

In the past several years, the portion of Unified Giving of the Presbyterian Church that goes for national programs has continued to decrease. This is an indication that the giving patterns of the church have changed. The result of this change is that many programs that are totally or partially funded through the Unified Budget come up short of funds to accomplish the work that the General Assembly has mandated.

The challenge

The Presbyterian Church stands today at the edge of an unprecedented opportunity to empower its older members, to empower the church itself through its older members in interaction with the whole church, to reach out into the wider community to provide services, witness and caring concern for all persons in the community.

To fail to meet this new challenge of the church—to provide ministry by, with and for older adults—is not only to miss an opportunity for witness and service, but is to risk the life of the church itself. To accept the challenge is to move with new life, hope and courage into the future.

The Presbyterian Church is in many ways at a crossroads, and its future may depend upon its action at this crucial time. The church can lead the way in shifting the focus of its members to a new and different way of viewing life and death—with emphasis on:

• community, more than on individuality;
• interdependence more than on independence;
• intergenerational activity, more than on separation of the ages;
• reflection about life's meaning, not on living life on the surface without depth or meaning;
• relationships, more than on me, myself, and I;
• death as a natural part of life to be accepted and discussed in the context of the entire life cycle;
• aging as a valuable journey in each person's life, rather than a process to be denied, avoided and dreaded.

[The Challenge is quoted from Older Adult Ministry: Growing in the Abundant Life. Report of the Task Force on Older Adult Ministry, Adopted by the 204th General Assembly (1992), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).]

Why give through the Presbyterian Foundation?

Since 1799, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation has administered the gifts and bequests of faithful Presbyterians, providing a steady stream of income to designated churches and charitable institutions.

The Foundation offers more than professional management of money. A Foundation Development Officer is available to lend expertise in designing a gift or bequest to create a permanent fund which most effectively accomplishes your goals. You can seek guidance with the assurance that your wishes will be respected and if you desire, held in strict confidence.

How can I designate my gift?

Your Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation Development Officer can work with you so that your gift goes directly into the Older Adult Ministries Endowment Fund. Once your gift is made, the fund is carefully monitored through the Foundation's Gift Compliance Program.

As a corporate body subject to laws governing gifts received, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation has the fiduciary responsibility to assure that your gifts will be managed and used only as you direct. This insures that your investments are permanently safeguarded and that funds may not be used for other purposes.

What kinds of things will my gift support?

The opportunities are almost endless. Here are some of the projects that can be funded by your gift to the Older Adult Ministries Permanent Endowment Fund:

Volunteers in Shared Ministry for Older Adults
A program can be funded whereby in partnership with middle governing bodies, older adults can serve as volunteers in beginning and leading older adult ministry in presbyteries, synods and congregations.

Annual Conference for the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network
Gifts can support a conference each year to train persons who are new to older adult ministry and enhance the ministry of those already serving as leaders.

Seminary Intern
A seminary student can have the opportunity to work in the Office of Older Adult Ministries, to gain hands-on experience in developing resources, leading workshops and planning conferences for older adults and for leader training.

Scholarships
Partial scholarships can be provided for new participants in the annual training conferences on the basis of project proposals which they submit and which they plan to accomplish within the next year.

Leader Development Workshops
Leader development opportunities can be held at conferences, presbytery and synod events, women's gatherings and other church sponsored events, for training leaders to do older adult ministry.

Interfaith and Interdenominational Sharing
With funding to cover the annual fees and expenses to attend meetings, the Office of Older Adult Ministries can maintain membership in and participate in the leadership of the National Interfaith Coalition on Aging and the National Council on the Aging, sharing resources, program ideas and other issues of common interest.

Research
Research is needed on the participation, the needs, desires and contributions of older adults in the Presbyterian Church in order to develop programs that will address the identified needs, desires and contributions of older adults.

Intergenerational Resources
Resources that encourage intergenerational activity in congregations and conferences are needed in a church that has been very successful in separating the ages from each other.

Bible Studies for Older Adults
Gifts to this permanent fund can make it possible to develop a Bible study series for older adults.

Resourcing Presbytery Staffs and Older Adult Committees
Funding can provide for the cultivating of leader development opportunities in partnership with presbyteries and their committees.

Get more information about giving opportunities

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation

You can arrange a meeting with your Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation Development Officer by contacting:

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation
200 East Twelfth Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
(800) 858-6127

Older Adult Ministries projects

You can find out more about Older Adult Ministries in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and opportunities for supporting related projects by contacting:

The Office of Older Adult Ministries
100 Witherspoon Street, Room 1615
Louisville, KY 40202-1396.
(888) 728-7228 x5487