At the 2014 Regional Assembly, a resolution sponsored by Christian Care Communities, called for a renewed focus on ministry with older adults. The resolution called for this new initiative to be a partnership ministry between Christian Care Communities and the Christian Church In Kentucky. A Mission Action Team (MAT) was established to lay the foundation for this new initiative.
The MAT has been working diligently to identify the scope of this ministry. It believed that the phrase “older adults” was too limiting and carried with it stereotypes that did not capture the essence of this ministry. The MAT renamed itself. It is now the Engaging Adult Ministries MAT. The new name is much more descriptive of this MAT’s work.
The MAT has identified two major streams of focus.
One is the health and human services dimension that accompanies aging: dealing with aging parents; facing end-of-life decisions; decline in health and how it causes us to refocus our energies as people of faith; finding the resources and services we need that accompanies the life transitions of aging; and, dealing with death in life giving ways.
Another focuses on engaging adults in meaningful ministries and legacy building as people of faith. This would include evangelism strategies, participation in meaningful, life-giving ministries, and creating structures for passing along the wisdom of years of older adults.
These are just the ideas generated by the Engaging Adult Ministries MAT. It welcomes a much larger conversation with pastors and lay leaders among all interested Kentucky Disciples.
If you would like to be part of this ministry watch for the announcement of the next meeting of the MAT. All are welcome.
You are also invited to participate in this survey as a way of getting your voice heard.
