Preaching to Seniors

I even hesitate to use the word “preach” because of the overtones it carries; someone yelling at me or making me feel guilty. What I want to ask is, “How do we talk to seniors about the Lord?” Here are nine truths to remember when you speak to seniors in a seniors’ community setting:

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Know your audience: Seniors come in three basic groups: independent living, assisted living and residential care. An old professor of mine stated this as, “Still go. Slow go. No go.” The “still go” crowd still attend your church and have some level of independence. The second two groups have decreased levels of general health and cognitive ability. As one senior offered to me, “ I am glad to play for you my ‘organ recital anytime you want to listen…but it doesn’t sound very good!’” In short: a vital question to ask when talking to seniors is: Who am I talking to?

 

Know your setting: Senior communities include people from diverse backgrounds and even religions. We need to be sensitive to this unique environment and approach this as Paul did on Mars Hill. Focus on Jesus rather than a criticism of others.

 

Keep the message short: Have one or two points to share with them. The old, “three points, poem and a prayer does not work with most seniors. The attention span of many older residents has shortened. No more than fifteen minutes of speaking, please. Better to end too soon than too late. Furthermore, the reading of scripture still has impact ( “my word shall not return to me void.”); but read slowly and clearly. Articulate words well. Take time to apply this to their lives. They have fears, guilt, sadness, joy, family tensions, boredom and a host of other feelings that are powerful.

 

Be relevant to their “now”, but recall their past. Be wary of simply using the sermon from last Sunday morning, because some of these residents now live in a very different world with unique issues. Let them know that the God of then is still the God of now. As one senior said to me , “Paul had his prison experience; and so do I-my pain and isolation from others. If you are unsure how to apply it, ask the chaplain or any senior you know from your congregation.

 

Preach the familiar. Since memory loss has impacted some in your audience, repeat the same messages they have heard through their lifetime. God will take care of you. He never leaves us. Jesus died for our sins. Heaven is our final home. And please do share the gospel, for even seniors may not have yet trusted the Lord as their saviour.

 

Talk slowly and clearly and gently: Do not shout-please! Some older pastors think they have to shout or even yell to be heard. In our settings, the hearing aids simply cannot handle the noise. It hurts the ears of those with hearing aids. Seniors can hear (albeit sometimes with a hearing aid) but it takes a little longer for them to grasp a concept and let it sink in to their mind and soul. Smile as you speak and look into their eyes. Be careful to use words that they understand. Avoid complex theological “church words”; however, we should also do that on Sunday! Also, avoid using slang words or colloquial expressions that are unfamiliar to them. And above all: please do not refer to them as, “you guys”. The old gospel song urges:

 

Tell me the story slowly,
That I may take it in—
That wonderful redemption,
God’s remedy for sin;
Tell me the story often,
For I forget so soon,
The “early dew” of morning
Has passed away at noon.

 

Speak about Jesus, or in Paul’s words: preach Christ. For the most part, avoid the controversial ethical issues of our lives. Speak of his life, promises, death and resurrection and second coming. Chances are that, if they did go to some churches in earlier years, they might not have actually heard too much about the Saviour.

 

Share a story from your own life or from another relevant person- especially another senior. Talk about how this message impacts your own life or someone their age that you know. Seniors, particularly in the latter two groups, learn best from stories.

 

Challenge them to keep living for the Lord. Where can you serve today-even from a wheelchair? One senior woman expressed it, “ When I pass another resident while in my wheelchair, I stop to say hello and check to see if the blanket is covering them.”

 

Preaching through Dementia: A discussion of this complex disease goes far beyond the intent of this little guide. In essence, dementia is a broad term that covers over a dozen specific diseases of the aging brain (the best known is Alzheimer’s disease). Dementia impacts a growing number of seniors and their ability to remember, to pay attention to what is being said and to think in a logical reasonable manner. The message of hope and comfort must speak to their “now” moment. For some in  advanced stages, they may not remember what was said even ten minutes from now, but the message will comfort and encourage them right at this moment, their “now moment”. Seniors struggling with dementia can be frustrated with themselves, frightened, insecure and wondering if God still loves them. Speak to them as to a child, but constantly remember they are adults who have lived long lives.

 

Thinking as Child, but treated as an adult. Although some seniors become more childlike in their aging years, remember they are adults who have lived a full life with jobs, children, financial responsibilities and respect. As possible, let them tell you their life stories; you will be amazed!

 

Treat them like your grandmother! One of our dedicated physicians told me, “ I treat them all as I would my own grandparents.” A pastor once told his sons, “The Lord has put a delicate balance in the church. He has put just enough headstrong, ornery members to keep you the pastor humble. And He has put just enough sweet godly saints to keep you from quitting.” Every church I ever served had both groups. Yes, and my observation is that the sweet humble ones who “keep you from quitting” tend to be the old-timers in the congregation- even if they are now in a seniors’ home.