Ministry with the Ageing
The Lutheran Church recognises the continuum of our spiritual journey from birth to death. We appreciate that our faith community is the anchor from which we gain love, guidance, strength and security throughout our lives. In the Scriptures, respect for older people is clear. As family, friends and faith communities, it is important to consider ways that older people can contribute to the mission of the church and derive spiritual enrichment and growth to the end of life’s journey.
‘Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent’
Psalm 71:9
The Lutheran Church recognises the continuum of our spiritual journey from birth to death. We
appreciate that our faith community is the anchor from which we gain love, guidance, strength and security throughout our lives.
In the Scriptures, respect for older people is clear. As family, friends and faith communities, it is important to consider ways that older people can contribute to the mission of the church and derive spiritual enrichment and growth to the end of life’s journey.
To assist you, Ministry with the Ageing has prepared a wonderful guide for older people, their families and congregations which focuses on acknowledging the wisdom, knowledge and practical skills of older members of our faith communities, while thinking about ways we can minister to them until their final journey with Christ.
Encouraging participation
Service and engagement
From the time our older church members retire or cease work, encourage them to allocate some of their free time to roles that provide personal enjoyment and use their creativity and wisdom. This may be in practical tasks around church - in committees, groups, or projects or in assisting older members to maintain contact with the congregation.
Transportation
As they age there will be a danger that some will become frailer and potentially marginalised if positive and timely assistance is not provided. The lack of transportation is perhaps the prime reason older people are unable to attend church activities and services. We need to take steps to formalise arrangements with our older members to encourage them to maintain and continue their spiritual and community life with us.
Our church leadership is in the best position to assign a group of members to oversee those at risk, monitor their progress at church and ensure supports are available to maintain their contact with the many activities and services taking place. Should the time come when our older members are unable to attend church, pastoral care and community visits could be scheduled in their home.
Accessibility
Apart from personal contact with aged members, we need to be focused on their ability to negotiate our buildings safely and comfortably. They should have written resources that suit their eyesight and access to appropriate lighting and sound. The placement of walking aids is also important to prevent the risk of falls.
Consider wider spaces in between some of the pews or chairs, larger font in hard copy and on-screen material, and ramp entrances for those with frames or wheelchairs. Talk with your older members to see what would make it easier for them to negotiate your church.
Care
We are blessed in Australia and New Zealand to have good support available as we age. Families and support people will often assist older people in negotiating the ‘system’. Caring for older people at church ensures their continued involvement in the special personal and communal journey we all experience there. As we get to the later stages of our lives, none of us will want to lose touch, so make every effort to keep your older members involved.
They will likely enjoy attending intergenerational services, prayer, Bible study and other groups. They may wish to be involved with younger people and contribute their wisdom and life experiences with other parishioners. This is a great gift.
As people age, they may need extra care and support as they experience changes in living arrangements, struggle with the loss of social esteem and physical incapacity or bereavement. This ministry is especially essential as persons face the death of a spouse, family members or friends, and ultimately their own death. Through word and sacrament, educational ministry, fellowship, spiritual nurture, pastoral care and opportunities for creative service, congregations can help people cope with the varied experiences of life.
Congregations should show particular concern for older persons who are isolated or alienated, who often have greater needs than do those with supportive families. (It may be necessary to provide or to alert such persons to alternative sustaining relationships, including the congregation in its role as an ‘extended family’.)
Respect
Independence
The desire to do our own thing is a fundamental right for most people. Those getting older, despite any physical and mental impairment, will still feel the need to make their own decisions and choose their own lifestyles. We, the church family, need to be aware that this is a strong driver. Assist these older members at church with choices that will maintain their independence, and ensure that any supports necessary are readily available.
Self-fulfilment
Our churches have many groups and activities that can be a great joy for older members, so encourage them to participate. If church-related activities are not an option, consider how your older members can attend local community groups or activities. For example, local councils often provide transport to enjoyable activities.
Dignity
As your members age, they may feel undignified by their age-related problems. Respect and care will lift their spirits and assist them to feel comfortable in your church setting. As your members get older, they are no less God’s children. There is an inherent dignity in knowing that we are all created in the image of God.
Dementia Friendly Churches
Churches and faith communities provide opportunities to help people with dementia maintain social connections. The rhythm of familiar worship practices can be comforting, while music can have a strong effect that may result in better memory and ability to converse with others.
Social gatherings and Bible study groups may also be enjoyable for those living with dementia.
People with dementia may not remember activities they have been involved with, but the feelings they experience will remain. There are many small things we can do to make our churches more ‘dementia-friendly’.
–Dr Chris Materne, 2016, 'Making churches more dementia-friendly'
Read the rest of Chris' article, which includes many practical ideas for congregations.
Lutherans for Life has an excellent article on Dementia, with links to other resources. Their website also offers a Bible study and group discussion guide on dementia for congregations and families to use.
It can be very confronting for people and their families when they receive a dementia diagnosis. Lutheran Media have an excellent set of short videos about dementia, answering many questions people might wrestle with and providing encouragement and hope.
Lutheran Tract Mission offer resources specifically for people with dementia or their carers.
Bereavement and Funeral Resources
Lutherans for Life have prepared a number of very helpful articles and other resources to support individuals and congregations in caring for and ministering to the dying and the bereaved. These include Dying Well, Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, Terminal illness, Dementia, Palliative Care and The funeral.
They also have a number of Bible studies and discussion guides which you may find helpful.
Visit the Lutherans for Life website for more details or go to the Pastoral Care page linked below for all resources related to bereavement and end-of-life issues.
Preparing for my funeral
This booklet is a two-part resource that provides ideas for preparing for your funeral. It comes with a planning sheet to complete with all the important things you want others to know. You can download it here. If you would like us to post a copy to you, we kindly ask that you consider a donation, as it costs approximately $5 per copy to produce and post.
General Resources
- Ministry with Seniors – a valuable resource for anyone caring for seniors from the LCA SA–NT District
- Lutheran Tract Mission offer a large number of tracts, including large print options
End of Life Issues
The LCA does not support Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD). However, it undertakes to support all people, seeking to bring God's love to life in crucial life and death situations. To Learn more about our position, visit the Voluntary Assisted Dying page.
Papers and Policies
- Voluntary Assisted Dying and Lutheran Aged Care paper
- End of Life issues paper
- Serving after the service: toward a Lutheran understanding of Christian social service by Dr Dean Zweck
- LCA submission – the Committee for Care Ministries (incorporating the Ageing), formerly Committee for Ministry with the Ageing, on behalf of the LCA, responded to the Australian Government’s Elder Abuse discussion paper
Aged Care and Community Services Gathering 2019
Reports and Speaker Presentations
- Ministry Stream Report – Tania Nelson
- Ministry of Care Session LCAQD – Bishop Paul Smith
- God’s love – Our Care Rev Ian Lutze
- Lutheran Aged Care and Community Services Gathering
- Chaplaincy Today – Angela Uhrhane
- Human Ageing and Theology Spirituality Research – Prof Wendy Mayer
- Lutheran Aged Care Chaplains – Laurence McNamara
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