Casey N. Cep recently wrote about the importance of listening to the elderly. She notes that those age 65 and better are a significant part of the American population now, and that they will grow significantly over the next few decades:
OLDER AMERICANS ARE ONE of the fastest growing demographics in our country: Baby Boomers began turning 65 in 2011, and by 2030 older Americans will number 72 million, nearly 20 percent of the total population. In a culture so obsessed with youth, it is easy to underestimate this demographic because they are so often invisible.
So What?
Those aged 65 and better should not be invisible in our culture. They must not ever be invisible in the church.
- What percentage of your congregation is over age 65?
- How effectively does your congregation welcome those aged 65 and better into all areas of the life of the church?
- Is your congregation likely to benefit from the coming growth in the over age 65 demographic? Explain.