During past tough economic times, according to a March 7th article in  Parade Magazine, there was a decrease in volunteering.  However, today there is a compassion boom of people helping others.

An exclusive new Parade Poll of 1008 respondents demonstrate that our nation is in the midst of a volunteering boom. Thus, this blog will deal with how and why so many Americans are working to improve our communities and the world.

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Public service has become more than a phrase or a school requirement in our country.

According to CEO, Patrick Corvington of the Federal Corporation for National and Community Service, public service has now become a way of life.

• Many people who are out of work are now volunteering to stay connected in their communities, as well as, help keep their job skills sharp.

Corvington also explains that 94% respondents believed that it is important to be personally involved in a course that they believe in and 90% said they are working hard to teach their children the importance of activism.

Parents are leading by example.

Parents are leading by example, talking to their children about issues and causes, and urging them to follow role models who are working for positive change.

It seems that compassion counts more than ever.

One of the respondents polled is an attorney who volunteers at an elder-care facility and takes his young daughter with him.  He teaches her that those out of the public view need attention.

What would you do if given a $100,000?

One of the questions asked  the 1008 Americans in the Parade poll was, what would they do if given $100,000 to donate to charity?  I have listed the top ten responses:

1. Food and shelter for the needy
2. Disease research
3. Disaster relief
4. Animal welfare
5. Youth programs
6. Poverty relief/job assistance
7. Education
8. My religious charity
9. Global environment
10. Public health

It seems that a lot of people have been reshaped for service as the “mindset of Christ” becomes the focus instead of our “me” focus.

As we have looked briefly at the why people are becoming involved in more volunteerism, let us now look at the how aspect of the respondents.

Making a difference.

Almost all of the respondents (98%) have engaged in at least one activity to make a difference.

• 91% to the hungry.
• 30% helped organize a fund raising event.
• 32% participated in service projects such as clean up at a local beach, park, or public area.
• 24% volunteers at a soup kitchen or food bank.

What do you think is responsible for this great change in our country today in regard to this boom in volunteering?

In my study I have found it is not what but who.

In today’s population, based upon the Parade Poll, there are three distinct types of Americans who are driving the change in our communities and country.

“Yeppies, Rapid Responders, and The Mission Minded”

Just as this 76 year old was glad to see  how the Boomers changed some of the ways we do church, I am now glad to meet the new groups which are the “Yeppies,” (Young, Engaged Problem Solvers), “Rapid Responders,” and “The Mission Minded.”

• “Yeppies” rely on social media and socializing to fuel their activism and volunteerism.  They have faith that individuals can solve social problems.  They are open to a variety of causes.

• “Rapid Responders” are not out to improve the entire world.  Their focus is more personal as their causes tend to stem from specific problems such as health or a neighborhood issue.  Responders often organize community events to raise awareness or money for the causes.

• “The Mission-Minded” consist of older Americans for the most part who are motivated by their faith.  To them, supporting basic needs like food and shelter is a faith duty.  They feel that the world’s problems can be fixed by faith groups.

There you have it in a few paragraphs, but I assure you, I shall study these groups in my future research.

Next time, we shall look at our diverse population.

Lou

One of the issues that surfaced, in more than one situation, is the absence of older adult leaders.

Most leaders are over burdened with other church positions and few churches have full time or even bi-vocational older adult pastors. Yet, by 2010 older adults (50+) will comprise 40% of church congregations.  In addition, unchurched older adults are one of the largest groups in our population.

What is the answer?

Before you answer, “oh well” perhaps the following materials may help those who feel led to lead older adults who are looking to find significance in the second half of their lives.

My aim is to help that someone who feels “led to lead” receive God inspired help as I did.  After all, it is the Holy Spirit that leads; it is not about us.

Let us look at what it takes to lead older adults (50+) whether you are a lay leader or a pastor that leads older adults.

Older Adult Ministry:

Church growth indicates that as a church expands it’s ministry it needs to expand its base of leadership.

Not all of these leaders need to be licensed and ordained clergy.

“Called to lead” is very important as God does not always call the trained, but trains the called.  Therefore, the called will meet the needs of the people they serve.

Whether the leader is titled as a pastor, minister, coordinator or facilitator, he must be called and have love for the people he serves.  His job description should have the following goals:

1. To work with and within the existing older adult existing ministry program to bring it into anticipation with the total church life.
2. To become involved with the individuals currently participating in the existing program to the point of identifying their specific needs (been there, done that, continue to do that).
3. To concentrate on outreach, evangelism, ministry, for the purpose of discipling people age 50 and up.
4. To initiate new programs of service within and without the church (i.e) meals on wheels.
5. To work with assigned Deacons in Family Ministry.
6. To bring to the pastor older adult needs that require his attention.
7. To provide comfort, counsel, and referral as needed during times of personal crises.

In the past people lived in a world that did not change very quickly from generation to generation.

Western society is now much different.  Our culture is not one of harmonious continuity from generation to generation, but rather one of abrupt change.

The Second Fifty Years:

The Association of Baptist Ministries With the Aging, reported an alarming statistic, “Today the greatest proportion of suicides are among the elderly,”

Since much senior suicide goes unreported, we have evidence of an overwhelming need that exist within the older adult population.

Therefore, the church has an obligation to seek and develop leadership for the “Encore Generation” (older adult) group.

• The local church has a responsibility to evangelize them.
• The church should be a support group for believing and non-believing older adults.
• The church should provide opportunities for older adults to serve within present and new ministries.

On our next blog, we shall look at some stress factors that cause older adults to be depressed and sometimes suicidal.

Lou