FACT: Within the next few decades, at least one out of four people in your congregation will be over age 65!

QUESTION: Is your church ready to minister to this growing number of midlife and older adults?

QUESTION: How will you keep these people from retiring from ministry and life at just the point in time when they have so much to offer in experience, time and resources?

The group with the most potential for increasing the power of your ministry may not even be on your radar screen! They are an ever growing group with more time, resources and experience available for ministry than any other group in your church. They are the 55+ crowd!

As people age upwards, they tend to retire, not just from work but from many of the activities that have been vital to their lives, including ministry within your church. While you want them to enjoy the later years, how can you stave off the exodus of ministry helpers at this age level?

"2nd Half for Him" is a movement that is trying to address just such issues with pastors and lay leaders, ministry teams and strategic thinkers within the church. Richard and Leona Bergstrom are leading that movement in the BGC and have developed materials and strategies that offer sound and clear direction for bringing the older population back into ministry within your church. They are trying to help you encourage your older adults to trade in the "been there, done that" attitude for a "know how, can do" mentality that will re-involve them once again in ministry not just to their peers, but also to those younger than themselves.

In Converge MidAtlantic, Gary Schroeder is working with churches to revitalize their ministries to older adults. He is looking forward to hearing from YOU and will consult with you directly and provide materials for you that will help you create an energy filled older adult ministry in your church.

To learn more, contact gary@bgcmideast.com or call Converge MidAtlantic at 330.757.7970. You may also find additional information on the "2nd Half for Him" website at www.chonline.org/bgc/.