New research is highlighting the wide selection of activities that churches are offering to older people – and the growing opportunities to present the Christian gospel.
It’s also shown how older people’s experiences and insights can profit all ages within the church family.
The survey, carried out within the UK and Ireland by Christian charity Faith in Later Life, asked churches what they were doing to minister to seniors of their congregation and beyond. The results reflect a broad spectrum of events and activities.
These include lunch clubs, exercise sessions, singing classes, tea and occasional times, outings and a broad range of social activities open to the community. Some churches offered a ‘holiday at home’ with special events organised, and one provided a monthly chiropodist’s visit.
Many churches are visiting care homes and holding services of their lounges. One respondent recalled, “It was so uplifting to see the enjoyment on their faces. Many with severe dementia were recalling words long forgotten and joining in.”
Alexandra Drew, chief executive officer of Faith in Later Life, explained, “There is something very powerful about ministering to those that are very old, and the experience of journeying with someone to the very end of life.”
This was echoed by a respondent who said that “by frequently practising the presence of God now we have been capable of show seniors that they’re still loved and never forgotten by God, or His church family”.
Community work goes hand in hand with reaching out with the gospel. The research showed that 83 per cent of those delivering social activities for older persons are also running worship services, Bible study groups and groups to explore faith. 1 / 4 of those that responded had seen people come to faith within the last yr, and half had seen people grow of their interest in faith.
One respondent said, “We have an elderly church member who has moved into sheltered housing and been instrumental in a monthly Sunday afternoon service starting. She also hosts our ladies’ Bible study group in her flat, has initiated the monthly craft group at church and that has brought latest older people to our lunches. She is an inspiration to the remaining of us.”
Faith in Later Life is a charity “dedicated to inspiring and equipping Christians to achieve, serve and empower older people in all places, through the local church”.
The charity also equips a national community of a whole lot of ‘Church Champions’ for older individuals who share their mission. It encourages and equips each them and others of their churches and communities.
Drew explained, “This means we influence and impact at a neighborhood level, seeing older Christians empowered, and older people in the broader community reached and engaged with the love of Jesus.
“We also provide leadership and a Christian voice for older people through the media and at events.”
The research, carried out with evaluation from Laura Treneer at Frank Analysis, highlights the necessary role of ministry to older people at a time when many churches are focussing on ‘growing younger’ – and maybe overlooking increasing numbers of older people in our communities. Many respondents felt that ministry with seniors was marginalised or neglected inside their church.
One senior Salvation Army officer recently told a conference, “An older church is just not a failing church,” reminding church leaders of the importance of seniors’ ministry.
Drew said, “The impact on the broader church of mission to older people is important. More than half of those responding said their work is resulting in greater recognition of older people, more age-inclusivity and greater awareness of older people’s spiritual needs.
“One church has young people interview older people throughout the service. Another youth-focused church ensures that seniors are frequently visible doing reading and prayers. A 3rd of the network in our survey say their ministry has increased confidence and skills amongst church members and increased intergenerational connection – so there’s potential for much more growth here.”
The Faith in Later Life survey ran in November-December 2024 with 63 respondents from nine different church denominations or networks across the UK and Ireland. Although each is exclusive and their ministries and reach vary, between them, their answers indicate that they:
• run greater than 100 community activities
• deliver 60 midweek services or Bible study groups
• make home visits in greater than 40 locations across the UK and Ireland
• visit at the very least 39 care homes
• are serving, reaching and empowering between 1,500 and three,000 older people monthly, and
• seeing as much as 150 people come to faith within the last yr.
Rev Peter Crumpler is a Church of England minister in St Albans, Herts, and a former communications director with the CofE.
