Evangelism for the Elderly

As you read or discuss about ministry or evangelism for the elderly, you will observe a bit of confusion in terms and 2 different approaches to ministering to seniors emerging.
In one instance the new emerging seniors are seen as still young, fun loving and fully productive and church activities are planed around that theme. Or they are seen as elderly, having physical and emotional pressing needs (i.e. loneliness, depression, dementia), living in retirement / nursing homes, living alone, confined at home and ministry is focused around that.  Both views are legitimate, they just speak to different phases in the aging process.

This article will focus on the latter group of elderly folks. If you are interested in ministry to the aging baby boomer,  the senior who popular culture promotes as enjoying a fun filled, productive retirement and the use of medical and other means to retard aging, then here are some resources for you.

Are you interested in ministering to elderly? Maybe folks in a nursing home or seniors confined at home or living alone?

The task can be challenging as the seniors find themselves in a culture has little time for the elderly. You can’t just give them the message and run!
You also have to invest in demonstrating a lot of love and care.  Bottom line is they are very valuable to God, and we need to communicate this clearly. The senior years can be very productive and fulfilling, contrary to popular culture.

Take time to read around the subject and understand  those you are ministering to. Do have a look at Understanding People: Ministry to All Stages of Life.  This interview may also be useful in getting you thinking and do have a look at the books suggested below.  Nonetheless many of these folks are ready to look death (and life) in the face and so there are many open hearts. We need to be there to give them that opportunity for eternal life.

Populations at the nursing homes tend to be small enough for individual attention suited at each person’s level. Evangelism to the elderly should begin with establishing relationships. Many of the elderly receive little visitation from friends and family and have a deep need for companionship and this offers an easy door for ministry. It is a need we can meet. Try to include a lot of time for personal one on one discussion either before the ministry session or after the session. This time should really be seen as a part of the session.

We found some examples of age appropriate documentation in the New International Version Seniors' Devotional Bible: With Life-Affirming Daily Devotions (Niv Devotional/Plain).  This should guide you in the appropriate language to use. Do keep it simple but not patronizing.

A Good Approach

Often the elderly tend to have better long term memory rather than short term memory and it is easier to make the connection with an event in their past. Therefore old hymns, old songs and music, old pictures, old dances, recounting events of past holidays, or simply stories of their children or their own youth gives you a starting point of connection. However work back to the present or the future. We don’t want to escape to the past but just to make a point of connection and to use it for now. Consider starting out with praise and thanks giving whether by song or storytelling. There is something in everyone’s life to give God thanks for.

Need some open ended questions to get the conversation going - try these.

Training Opportunities

 Evangelism Explosion Programme or EE as it is commonly referred to,  are now offering one specifically for ministering to the elderly. You may find it very useful.   

Senior Adult Ministry also provides self study & train-the-trainer training material.

Available online resources:

Other website links you may find helpful:

Available Online Resources for the Retired Senior

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