Share

This page contains:

• Examples;
• Things to keep in mind;
• Possible starting points;
• Resources.

Here are three examples:

• Sunday afternoon tea in Ravenshead in Nottinghamshire. Sometimes referred to as Molly's Church, the seeds of this fresh expression were planted when Molly and Graham Bell focused on the needs of the large proportion of older people retiring in their village.

  The Bells committed themselves long term to the necessary community involvement that has, over time, led to the growth of a good neighbour scheme, a discipleship cell group, a lunch club and a day centre.

  Such investment in loving service and nurturing community has enabled the growth of the monthly Sunday afternoon tea. This includes excellent refreshments, exploration of a topic around the tables, drama around the theme of the day, a short meditation and the singing of a couple of well known hymns.

  Minibus transport is organised to enable the elderly housebound to attend. Minibuses are also laid on to take folk to other social events locally and on outings beyond the village.

  Read here for the longer story

• A congregation for the isolated elderly in Putney, London. Praise@Platt is a time of worship that has evolved for all those involved with Regenerate-RISE, a charitable organisation that cares for all those who would otherwise be housebound or isolated, living in either high-rise flats in Roehampton or the more wealthy area of Putney. RISE facilitates outings, activities, lunches and a support service with practical help, home and hospital visiting, along with emergency shopping and prescription collections.

  Held on a Sunday afternoon, Praise@Platt is low key, simple and about 45 minutes in length. It includes Bible readings, prayer, a time of reflection, worship with members playing musical instruments to modern songs and a short talk. The Gideons have provided large print New Testaments, and the words of the songs - from Songs of Fellowship for Small Groups - are on the wall via an overhead projector. CDs or DVDs are played as musical accompaniment, with appropriate sound levels for the hard of hearing. 

  The service is followed by a meal of sandwiches, crisps and cakes, whilst the worship songs continue to play in the background. Each time, the members are given a picture postcard with a Bible verse representing the theme of the service to think about during the week. This is because the majority who attend do not have any basic Christian teaching to fall back on. 

  One member of RISE was recently baptised, whilst other members cheered and clapped when he gave his testimony as to how he became a Christian, and a 92 year man was confirmed after giving his life to the Lord at a specially adapted Alpha course. Praise@Platt hopes to expand in the near future to welcoming older people from the local community to encourage them in their faith and give them a new experience of church.

  More about Regenerate-RISE here.

• Missional communities begun by newly retireds in Australia. Missing the social interaction through and after work, newly retired men are working together on what they've called 'Men's Sheds'. All over Australia, men meet and work together using pooled tools and equipment to do all sorts of work, either for themselves or for some deserving organisation.

  Many work with disaffected teenagers and school drop-outs, sharing their life experience and teaching them skills that will help them find employment. These missional communities offer much-needed fellowship for newly retireds and makes use of their invaluable skills.

  More information here.

Things to keep in mind:

Don't let anyone tell you fresh expressions are for young people only. There is just as much need for new and creative ways of doing mission and being church for and with older people. The elderly are the fastest growing section of the British population and although church attendance of this age group appears healthy, it is not keeping up with the rapid growth occurring in our society.

Encourage others to see the diversity of age groups often included in the older people bracket. This table illustrates the variety that exits within our churches alone.

(From 'Older People and the Church', Church of England Newspaper, 16th August, 2005, p. 11.)

To connect with the younger old or newly retired beyond our church congregations, be aware of the some of the broader generational differences between them compared with the previous generation.

Generally speaking, the 'boomer' generation (now reaching retirement age) have challenged the preconceived ideas and stereotypical images of ageing as they have grown older. Many aspects of their youth culture (rock concerts, music festivals, political protest, interest in new age spirituality) have travelled with them into middle age and beyond. They relish living life to the full and retirement is a chance to pursue this yet further.

Therefore, explore the possibilities of developing fresh expressions appropriate these instincts. Capture their interest through social action, adventure holidays (white water rafting!), painting or drama groups or hobbies that promote healthy living (swimming, pilates, golf, walking).

A significant number of this age group look after their grandchildren regularly and/or care for elderly parents. Consider what kinds of fresh expressions would help them in these important supporting roles. A support group for the bereaved in a Merseyside parish has grown into a community of 50 meeting weekly to talk, pray and make crafts. Providing sacred space to place scattered ashes, visit loved ones' gravesides and share special past memories might also be appreciated.

Don't assume that all older people know everything about the Christian faith as you build relationships with the elderly outside church. Though most people of this generation did go to Sunday school as children, many have never had the opportunity since then to hear further teaching or be part of a community that encourages discipleship.

Involve older people in decision-making. Invite them onto your decision-making councils. Avoiding client-provider dynamics as much as possible will help the sense that church is being nurtured rather than it being a programme or activity. More importantly, it will communicate to older folk that they are never too old to bless others, share their wisdom and use their skills.

Consider what support you might be able to offer residential homes in your area. As of 1st April, 2009, the Care Quality Commission requires homes to include a spiritual element in the life of its residents. Most residential homes are grateful for help and advice on where to start with this. Getting involved may be a good place to start in the very early stages of planting of a fresh expression for the elderly frail.

Avoid replicating what already exists. Take care to research your area well. Look for the gaps in what is provided by other churches, statutory authorities and volunteer services so all can work better together.

Possible starting points could be:

• Run a 'Holiday at Home' event for the elderly frail in your area.
• Friendship group for those recently bereaved.
• Celebrating age event or service.
• Running a 'Senior Alpha' course.
• Community event in a sheltered housing complex.
• Midweek communion followed by coffee and scones.
• Memorial services.
• Celebrate Grandparents' Sunday, welcoming grandparents and grandchildren who don't normally come to church (with a goodie bag for each grandchild).
• Advertise a group for people of Saga age, see who comes and ask them how often they'd like to meet and what they'd like to do.
• Start up an interest group - hobbies for men/pie and pint!

Resources:

• A Mission-shaped Church for Older People?, a resource booklet packed full of practical ideas and training material for mission and ministry to older people, produced jointly by Church Army and The Leveson Centre. Order here.
• Discovering Faith in Later Life series by Michael Collyer, to resource, motivate, challenge and encourage the wider church to take the spiritual needs of older people seriously. All issues are downloadable from The Sheffield Centre website.
• George Lings, Encounters on the Edge 40: People Try To Put Us Down - Fresh expressions with older people, Church Army, 2008.
• Chris Harrington, Reaching the Saga Generation: Fresh Expressions of Church For Ageing Baby Boomers, Grove Evangelism Series, 2008.
• Fresh Horizons DVD showing inspirational examples of how younger-old members of church are engaging in mission.
• James Woodward, Valuing Age: Pastoral Ministry with Older People, SPCK, 2008 - a fascinating read on the increased capacity older people have for spirituality over their younger couterparts.
• Rob Merchant, Pioneering the Third Age: The Church in an Ageing Population, Paternoster Press, 2003.
• Safe to Belong: Guidelines on work with vulnerable adults in the local church.
• Florence Robertson, Re-firing - Not Retiring, Spirit of Caleb Ministries, 2007.

This page was written by Mike Collyer and Claire Dalpra. Mike Collyer is a member of Church Army's research team The Sheffield Centre. He explores evangelism, spiritual needs and fresh expressions of church for older people. Claire Dalpra has worked in The Sheffield Centre for more than ten years. Her role as assistant researcher involves writing, editing, consultancy and conferencing in the area of fresh expressions of church.

What are some examples of fresh expressions?

Back to top