Kia ora e te whanau
Week three, in reflecting on the priority of ministry with seniors.
I’ve reflected on the way that seniors are so readily overlooked – that church missional focus is almost invariably directed toward the young, while ministry with seniors is regarded almost exclusively as a chaplaincy service – bordering on palliative care.
It’s time to take seniors, as a mission field in their own right, more seriously. And not just as something that we do for seniors, but as something that is done with seniors, by seniors.
Once I realised that I had neglected the place and potential of seniors in the life of our congregation, one of the first things I had to do was apologise. Apologise that I had ignored not just their needs, but their potential to make a difference. Apologise that I had diminished their capacity to engage effectively in ministry. And apologise that I had not expected enough from them.
I’m convinced that we’re all called into, and are capable of, ministry. Ministry is simply making a positive difference in someone else’s life. It doesn’t need to be grand. It doesn’t need to be ‘spiritual’, in the way we commonly understand the word. It simply makes a positive difference. A smile, a thank you, a small act of service, time spent, help given – can all be acts of ministry. A simple phone call asking after their well-being, a note of appreciation of who they are, a heartfelt compliment – these are all acts of ministry. They may not seem like much. They can make a positive life-giving difference in the lives of others. And what I know with confidence, is that very act of ministry, no matter how small and apparently insignificant, benefits at least two people – both the receiver and the giver.
Once we recognise the priority and needs of seniors, it’s not a big step to providing more structured ministry opportunities – for connection and engagement. It can start with such simple activities as coffee meets, walking groups, book clubs – relatively easily organised, and places where all can participate as equals according to where they find themselves at the time.
As I said, we’re all capable of ministry – my encouragement is to simply look for those areas of interest that we find energising, and explore ways to share that interest. One of our people was a NZ accredited Wine Judge – he ran a tasting group, we had an amazing time! (Methodists, I know – tut, tut.) I’m also convinced that our experiences of pain can often be the greatest levers for exercising life-giving ministry with others. God doesn’t waste anything, and growing through our worst experiences can become an impetus for providing comfort and a support to others who find themselves following a similar path. As I said, God wastes nothing.
What else I’ve been doing recently
This past weekend found me in Auckland and the Waikato. Saturday found me in the magnificent Anglican Cathedral in Auckland as part of a Common Grace Aotearoa sponsored event looking at the issue of repatriating Māori land. It’s a challenging issue, and one that each of the partner churches is struggling with in their own way.
Sunday saw me in The Waikato – first leading worship with, and enjoying the hospitality of, the lovely people of the Cooperating Parish in Te Aroha. This congregation is typical of many of our congregations – aging, declining in numbers, yet with a continuing energy and commitment to being the church in the community. From there it was onto Chartwell, Hamilton, for the induction of the Ven Peter Bargh as their new Anglican appointment. With three bishops present and presiding, including the sermon delivered by the Archbishop of Aotearoa – the Most Rev Don Tamihere, it was a grand affair! While significantly larger, the demographic of Chartwell is not dissimilar to Te Aroha. From there it was on to Te Awamutu for a couple of purely Methodist inductions – including Rev Bob Franklyn as Co-Superintendent of the Waikato/ Waiariki Synod. This is a CV rich part of the country, so Bob has responsibilities in the CV space, as well as currently being on the UCANZ Standing Committee.
Leadership & Personal Development Resources
Grandma Went to Woodstock: 5 Principles for Pastoring a Vibrant Older Congregation
I’ve recently realised that we’re actually talking about more than one generation of seniors. My Father-in-law (died a couple of years ago at 97) belonged to the ‘Glenn Miller’ generation – he was always whistling the music the sprung from the big band orchestrations that followed. I realised that I belong to the ‘Neil Diamond’ generation – including guitars, drums, keyboards – which have been very much part of our lives. Worship for my ‘Baby Boomer’ generation needs to reflect that reality, and somehow we need to bridge with the ‘Silent Generation’ that preceded us and comprise the seniors of the seniors. To be fair, it has been this silent generation that has been my primary focus, yet the Boomers are now moving into their space. This excellent article (sent to me in response to my first musing on this issue a couple of weeks ago) can be accessed here: https://karlvaters.com/grandma-went-to-woodstock/
So, you need a new website?
Peter Lane, one of the ‘tech gurus’ in the Methodist Church, recently posted an excellent ‘how to’ in the Methodist monthly. In a simple and non-technical way, he demythologises the challenges of developing simple and effective church websites. The reality is that many of our websites are either non-existent or appalling (I’ve noticed). Peter offers a pathway for even the most tech-phobic among us – demonstrating that simple and effective websites are well within the reach of most of us. The reality is that in 2026 even seniors access the internet and every church needs a relevant up-to-date website to inform of what is on offer, where, and when. Peter’s easy to read article (I found myself simply enjoying his style of writing) can be accessed here: https://hail.to/methodist-church-of-new-zealand/publication/wfKUdIA/article/TjDpugn
Homilies and Preaching Resources
My response to the lectionary for the 15th of February is titled ‘Empowering Moments’ – reflecting on Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration as we find it in Matthew 17 vs 1-9. The homily can be engaged with here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yyzc1iVQyYg
Gospel Conversations – out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese. They host a conversation of 4 Theologians / Practitioners – until this year around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here: https://www.calledsouth.org.nz/gospel-conversations/. Led by Michael Godfrey, rather than the Gospel text, they are focusing on the first reading (traditionally known as Old Testament). For this coming Sunday the 15th of February, it’s Deuteronomy 30 vs 15-20. It can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdBsJsDJniI