The Challenge

The Church is changing. For some, that causes concern. For others -- impacting churches -- changes are seen as new opportunities to be embraced.  Impacting churches are thus moving away from cloistered familiarity to a community- enhancing vision. 

One major and growing group dealing with change is the senior generation. For many churches, the senior members built their church and dedicated their lives to it.  But as the church moves toward contemporary worship and activities focusing on younger generations, senior may feel somewhat disengaged.  Yet significantly, over 80% of the money still given to churches comes from those 55 and older. 

Impacting churches realize that those people who gave of themselves to build the church now need and deserve for the church to respond in addressing their needs as they age.  But how? 

The Opportunity

The Baby Boomer generation is aging and the first wave of Boomers is retiring.  This huge demographic class will continue to increase over the next two decades.  In less than 6 years, the number of Americans aged 85 or older will increase by 33%; and, of the babies born today, life expectancy indicates that 50% of them will live to reach 100.  In short, seniors are living longer, healthier lives. Because of this, seniors are looking for safe, secure living environments and services to allow them to enjoy their lives with minimal time devoted to the care and maintenance of homes and property. With this freedom of lifestyle they also want an assurance of healthcare as they age.

There is such a natural affinity for seniors to want to stay near their church. It is often one of the most indelible parts of their lives and one they cherish more than any other except for their family. As well, families are seeking solutions to having their parents move nearer to them.

Over the last several decades many churches expanded or relocated to acquire significant land in order to provide the expanding array of ministries they anticipated providing. On many church campuses, there is good land that is under-utilized due to demographic changes, ministry and vision adjustments, and- too often- inefficient land and facilities planning.  It is an untapped resource that can provide for both church growth and senior ministry.  By creating senior living communities on or near their campus, the church can open up incredible opportunities for ministry that provides:

• Quality, faith-centered care for seniors

• A means for seniors to become re-engaged in the ministries of the church

• A legacy of caring where seniors are valued and honored

Such communities also offer the seniors an opportunity to become more engaged with youth and young families as role models, foster grandparents, and as financial supporters. Importantly, though, these communities are not only for church members, but for all seniors. For many, time has separated them from family and other relationships; yet these people need at least as much love and care as any church member. In fact most unchurched people prefer faith-based service providers, believing that they offer greater attention, care and value than a purely secular enterprise. 

The Rewards

Churches who seize this opportunity find themselves in a position to do what is so natural -- minister to the elderly. By meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, the church can provide these dear people with a unique and rewarding "season" of their lives. The seniors in turn will live and contribute as a significant part of a great church. 

The first step is to identify churches with a vision for senior ministry that have land -- or can acquire land -- for this purpose. We seek impacting churches which may also have debt that, if retired, will have even more opportunity to impact their communities and build the Kingdom.  

Churches can use their land as an equity resource to finance the project.  The development itself yields resources for growing the church’s ministries, retiring debt, providing funds for new worship facilities, or other needs.

If there is an interest in further exploration, please contact us.  We will be pleased to provide additional project information, more plan detail, and the small steps that can lead us to a wonderful, rewarding ministry.