How are older adults living their later years? New Beginnings looks at aging in our society and provides a glimpse at a variety of creative church ministries that are being enjoyed by older adults. Mission opportunities and teaching service abound in the stories told on film. Lives are changing, transitions are occurring, and new beginnings are taking place for countless numbers of older adults in our congregations. 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. Among the several short stories explored in this 20-minute film are vignettes including feeding the homeless, tutoring children, visiting the home-bound and career transitions. Let New Beginnings spark creative ideas for your church's ministries with older adults! This film was produced for The United Methodist Church by the General Board of Discipleship's Center on Aging & Older Adult Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries.  For more information on aging and older adult ministries, call 877-899-2780, ext. 7177, or visit us online. A free leader's guide is available for this resource as a PDF here. Requires free Adobe Reader

New Beginnings: The Gifts of Aging Video

Gentzler, Richard H.

Discipleship Resources

Gen2Gen: Sharing Jesus Across the Generations is a collection of articles on the newest trends and issues that are affecting individuals, families, churches, and communities. Developed by staff at the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, Gen2Gen will challenge you to create ministries that connect with the youngest to the oldest members of society. Multigenerational congregations are best equipped to connect with diverse groups of people as they share faith in Jesus Christ. As a new generation emerges and the older adult population enters a period of explosive growth, it is time to turn our attention to how churches can effectively be in ministry across the generations.

Gen2Gen: Sharing Jesus Across the Generations

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

A companion to the author's earlier book Designing an Older Adult Ministry (Discipleship Resources, 1999), this book will provide new information and outline ways to develop and strengthen ministries by, with, and for older adults that can, and will, enhance the spiritual growth and well-being of people of all ages.
The church is beginning to recognize that there are vast numbers of older people in its membership. It is becoming aware of its indebtedness to them for the leadership, support, service, and faith that has made the church of today possible. The church is uniquely positioned to help older adults respond to the challenges of aging; to see the tremendous potentialities in the lives of older adult for making the church and community better; and to assist older people as they experience new meaning and purpose in their later lives.
 Chapters include "Why Older-Adult Ministries?"; "Understanding the Aging Process"; "Aging and the Spiritual Journey"; "The New Seniors: Boomers?"; "Intentional Ministry by, with, and for Older Adults"; "Organizing for Intentional Ministry in the Local Church"; "Organizing for Intentional Ministry in the Conference"; "Congregational Care Ministry"; "Additional Ideas for Intentional Ministry"; and "Trends in Aging." Appendixes include a "Facts about Aging" quiz, information on creating and using older adult surveys, and suggested resources for further reading and study.

An Age of Opportunity: Intentional Ministry by, with, and for Older Adults

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Gentzler, Richard H.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Gentzler, Richard H.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Gentzler, Richard H.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

New Beginnings: The Gifts of Aging Video

Gen2Gen: Sharing Jesus Across the Generations

An Age of Opportunity: Intentional Ministry by, with, and for Older Adults