History, Repeating Itself?

A continuation in a series of posts on "the new old" (here, here, and here)...

Amy Hanson is probably one of the best sources and resources available for ministry opportunities with aging adults. Her scholarship includes a master’s degree in gerontology, followed by a doctorate in human sciences from the University of Nebraska. She has worked in congregations and retirement communities, has a deep commitment to her faith—and now has distilled a wealth of research into a handy new book "Baby Boomers and Beyond: Tapping the Ministry Talents and Passions of Adults over 50." 

A section from the opening chapter of the book really caught my eye. Here's a brief summary: read it, and then ponder the single question following.

In the mid-late 50's millions of baby boomers were nearing adolescence. Never before had there been such an influx of young people who ere drastically shaping the culture. And the church was unprepared. Youth ministry expert Mark Senter writes "The post-war baby boom caught the church without a strategy for dealing with the sudden influx of people whom the media began to call 'teenagers."

The young baby boomers represented a huge untapped resource for the church, and some people began to work at convincing church leaders that youth ministry was vitally important. These entrepreneurs created a sense of urgency among churches to reach out to this young generation before it was too late.

The idea caught on - and expanded. Youth ministries, youth ministers, activity buildings, age specialization in church ministries, para church activities and programs, leadership training for those specializing in youth - the list goes on and on.

Nothing wrong with that.

Flash forward to 2011: those baby boomers who revolutionized youth ministry are now entering their fifth and sixth decades of life. They are marching into their later years of life in unprecedented numbers, healthier and more active than any segment of population before them.

And the urgency of ministry with them is just as great as when they were young - perhaps even greater.

There is much to be gained or much to be lost. It starts with whether or not ChurchWorld chooses to ignore or embrace this aging reality.

As a leader in ChurchWorld, how will you respond to "the new old"?

Redesigning Life, Reinventing Retirement

There's a move underway to make life safer, easier, and more healthy - and who do we have to thank?

Baby Boomers - because they're getting older.

When January 1 rolled around this year, the first Baby Boomers turned 65 - and will continue every 7 seconds for the next 18 years. I fit that category - I was born in 1958 - so you might say I have a personal interest in it! Here are a few noteworthy developments:

• Boeing, the airplane manufacturer, is improving in-flight design and comfort for aging passengers. Pete Guard, cabin-experience strategy leader, says "As Boomers age, their vision, mobility, and hearing may become a challenge, but the last thing we want is to make them seem less than capable - they're an independent group." On-tap: easier-to-open lavatory doors, redesigned overhead compartment latches, and thinner, lightweight seats allowing more leg room.
• Volvo, already known for making one of the world's safest cars, is studying the driving habits of the aging to develop cars that will keep them - and other drivers - safe. Thomas Broberg, senior safety advisor, says "Because Boomers are living longer and healthier than any previous generation, there will be more of them driving longer. The misperception is that older adults are involved in more accidents; they're not - they just have different reactions." One solution? Build cars with senses: they recognize a potential collision and apply the brakes if necessary.
• General Mills is boosting Boomer's health by creating engaging and interactive communities online. Marc Belton, EVP of global strategy, growth, and marketing innovation says "People like to talk about themselves and be a part of a story. One of our websites asks consumers to submit their favorite unhealthy recipes, and our team will healthify them."

It's really impressive to see Corporate America step up to the line and lead the way in innovation for the huge segment of our population known as the Baby Boomers. But their motives are at least in some part driven by the enormous potential market share - as a group, the Boomers have over $2 trillion worth of annual spending power.

What about ChurchWorld?

Amy Hanson, noted speaker, consultant, and author in the area of aging adult ministry, has some great thoughts about what she calls "the new old."

• The new old are reinventing retirement - a recent survey by Merrill Lynch found that 76% of Boomers want to keep working in some fashion during retirement. They want their retirement years to include a component of work that is significant.
• Not all older adults are Christians - think of the characteristics of adults who are 50 and older: caring for aging parents, concerns about their own health, financial worries, and continually evolving relationships with their own adult children and grandchildren. These life transitions provide communities of faith huge opportunities to reach out, engage, and share the Gospel with them.
• Aging Boomers have the potential to make a tremendous Kingdom impact with their lives - they have time, experience, and resources and they want to participate in purposeful endeavors that will benefit others.

The challenge is there. The corporate world has stepped up and is gearing toward innovating and engaging the new old.

Where are you, church?

MIT Engages the Boomers

Yesterday I introduced the first of a series of posts about my favorite generational cohort - the Baby Boomers. It's only my favorite because I am one - I'm connected to one generation above me and three below me, but the Baby Boomers (born 1946-64) are once again front page news.

All because beginning on January 1st this year, the first Boomer turned 65 - followed by 77 million, one every seven seconds, for the next 18 years.

At the MIT AgeLab, research fellow Rozanne Puleo and research scientist Lisa D'Ambrosio are leading the research into the changing needs of boomers:

D'Ambrosio: "The fact that we're living longer than ever before has a significant implications for how we live as a society. The generation approaching retirement now (Boomers) is not planning on being relegated to the couch. They see it as retirement from a job, not life."

Puleo: "it's a matter of learning what works best and what's most user-friendly - not just Boomer friendly. We have to find solutions that transcend age."

Using scientific research methods, scientists like these two are leading the way in investigation and innovation into the life - and lifestyles - of the Boomer as they approach 65.

But it's not retirement - at least not like my parents view it.

Amy Hanson, consultant in the area of older adult ministry in the church, has made the term "the new old" a popular description of this age group. She finds several key issues for the church to consider. Here's one:

The new old are approaching aging in a much different way than preceding generations. Churches frustrated by sixty-somethings shying away from "senior adult ministries" need look no further than the name. Boomers do not like the word "senior" and they reject just about anything that smacks of old age.

(Well, there was that one time I got the senior pricing at the movies without being asked...)

Whatever the format, today's ministry with Boomers approaching retirement needs different names, fresh ideas, and a whole new approach.

What's your church doing in the areas of aging "the new old"?

Build a Better Mousetrap...

As the title of this blog indicates (27 years is the average age between the four male generations in my family), I think studying generational differences is very informative for ChurchWorld. We're living, working, and ministering in a world where 5 generations are active. But as I am a Baby Boomer, I've always been a little partial to that particular cohort.

When 1/1/11 came, the first of 78 million Baby Boomers turned 65 - and will continue to do so, every 7 seconds.

Welcome to senior adulthood - NOT.

According to the Pew Research Center, 10,000 adults are turning 65 every day, and that by 2030, almost 20% of our population will be over the age of 65.

Amy Hanson, a consultant and author specializing in this age group, calls this group "the new old," describing them as "adults primarily between the age of 50 to 70 who view the later years of life in a completely different way than their parent's generation".

The new old are active, involved, and anything but "old."

Corporate America has noticed: as this group begins to reach "retirement" age, their $2 trillion worth of annual spending power is driving companies to rethink aging.

Marc Hottenroth, an industrial designer, leads GE's team as they learn to design better appliances for older Americans. They hold empathy sessions to help their design team understand what an aging adult goes through every day:

• taped knuckles to represent arthritic hands
• kernels of popcorn in shoes to create imbalance
• weighing down pans to simulate putting food in ovens

According to Hottenroth, "They won't give up style or performance, and they won't buy something made specifically for the aging because that's not how they see themselves." But if it's easier to use and it speaks to their needs, they'll love it."

What about ChurchWorld?

Are you ready to rethink aging?