Did you know that there is a conference dedicated to the topic of ministry to older adults? It is presented by CASA Network which stands for Christian Association Serving Adult Ministries Network. It used to stand for “something something Senior Adults” but they too have erased the word “senior” from most of their language.
Here is the link to their conference website: http://gocasa.org/events/conference/
and here is the schedule: http://gocasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/CASA-ILC-2011-Schedule-FINAL.pdf
I have attended this conference and have been around the leaders of the CASA Network and I am telling you that it is the strongest effort to gather like minded leaders who care deeply about ministering to age 50+ adults in America/the world. We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in older adult ministries as is made obvious by the fact that we don’t typically refer to this segment of ministry as “seniors’ ministry” any more. CASA Network understands this transition and is guiding pastors and leaders in how they can reach the “young old,” that is, the Boomers. You will see the practicality of the topics if you look at the schedule. I am looking forward to sitting in on a number of workshops and the plenary speakers are of high caliber. I am particularly interested in a workshop titled, “Still Naughty? Still Wrong? Cohabitation after 80.” Wow, is that really an issue? Yes it is! I had a pastor contact me recently telling me of that very situation in his church where an older Christian couple didn’t want to marry legally but wanted the pastor to perform an unofficial exchanging of vows.
It is not too late to register so if this is just what you have been looking for but didn’t know it existed, maybe I’ll see you in Anaheim from Nov. 9-11.
