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Helpful Websites
General Board of Discipleship's Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries
Recommended Resources Related to Older Adult Ministries
(Compiled by Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., Director, Center on Aging and Older Adult Ministries)

Helpful Books
And Not One Bird Stopped Singing: Coping with Transition and Loss in Aging
Building a Ministry for Homebound and Nursing-Home Residents
Designing an Older Adult Ministry: 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; and suggested resources.

Forty-Sixty: Designed to be used individually or in a small group, Forty-Sixty identifies 10 significant issues many people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s face as they experience midlife. Gentzler and Miller help individuals understand the problems of midlife and suggest ways to cope constructively. Each chapter explores a midlife issue and incudes a Bible study guide to enable the reader to draw upon God's word and wisdom for direction and meaning.

The Graying of the Church: A Leader's Guide for Older Adult Ministry in The United Methodist Church: Most "mainline" denominations are aging, and many congregations are "graying." But just because a congregation has many older members does not necessarily mean that it is dying. It isn't that pastors and other leaders are necessarily part of an "old" church, but rather, they are part of a congregation that is "blessed with many older members." The Graying of the Church, written by Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., provides church leaders with the latest demographic and resource information, various older-adult ministry models, and a new way of looking at our "graying" congregations. The reader is invited to discover why outreach to older adults is necessary and how a S.E.N.I.O.R.S. Ministry can be an effective and valuable model for ministry in all congregations.

Rock of Ages: This large-print ecumenical songbook and worship guide for use in nursing homes, retirement communities, hospitals, homes, and other older adult settings, includes resources for leading worship, as well as the lyrics to more than 95 familiar hymns. Primary users: local church leaders/chaplains/lay volunteers/staff who lead worship in nursing homes, retirement communities, or other long-term healthcare settings; also the residents who participate in the worship.

10 Gospel Promises for Later Life (Enlarged Print Edition)

Other Helpful Resources
S.E.N.I.O.R.S. Ministry: A Congregational Model for Intentional Ministry with Older Adults (free brochure)
After the Example of Christ: Congregational Care Model (free brochure)
Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation: Believe It! Report It! (free brochure)
General Board of Discipleship Award-Winning Video: New Beginnings: The Gifts of Aging
New Beginnings (availablle on DVD and VHS ) looks at aging in our society and provides a glimpse at a variety of creative church ministries that are being enjoyed by older adults. Filmed on location around the US, New Beginnings comprises individual short stories of older adults and the role their faith plays in their churches and communities. A free Leader's Guide is available in pdf format.

Worship Resources for Older Adult Sunday
Worship Resources for Older Adult Sunday
This new area of the General Board of Discipleship's Center on Aging Website offers worship resources for celebrating Older Adult Sunday. An Older Adult Sunday provides the opportunity for a congregation to celebrate the gifts and contributions of older adults. This Sunday should also call the church to action in addressing the needs of older adults in the congregation and community.