An ageing population – problem or opportunity?

The over-85s are now the fastest-growing group, set to double in the next two decades. Many of us even know someone who has reached their 100^th birthday! The 2021 census revealed the average age of Christians in the UK was 51, up from 45 just ten years before.

Those are the facts, but here is the key question: do you see the ageing population as a problem or an opportunity?

Looking beyond the headlines

Newspapers and government reports often describe an ageing population in grim terms like a ​‘burden’ and a ​‘crisis’. But what if the church saw things differently? Here are four opportunities right in front of us.

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An opportunity to reach a generation for Christ

The urgency of the gospel can never be understated. God has revealed that ​“Man is destined to die once, and then face judgement” (Hebrews 9:27). Knowing this is true, what a tremendous privilege we therefore have that we now live in an age where the average life expectancy is over 80 years old. Our church ancestors had much less time to reach people with the saving gospel of Jesus than we do today – what a chance we have been gifted.

Churches are already getting creative. One congregation in the North West, which runs holiday clubs for children, now also hosts a ​“holiday at home” for seniors. Over the week, guests enjoy meals, activities, singing and short talks that spark conversations about faith. It is heartwarming to see churches using their time and resources to point people in their later years towards the hope found in Christ.

An opportunity to mobilise a generation for mission

As health care has improved, it has brought about an often hidden but profound change in people’s outlook. Past generations looked at their retirement years as a time when they could slow down, but this generation of retirees are much more likely to view their retirement as a time to start doing the things they are most passionate about. They want to pursue hobbies, spend time with family and start achieving life goals that were set aside for their career. 

This means that we now have a generation looking for something to do in retirement, and those in that generation who are Christians are ready and willing to be mobilised for mission by the church. They have so much to offer and often you find that older people are enthusiastic about peer-to-peer ministry. This summer, I met a lady who had just finished her career in a senior role within the NHS. In retirement she was going to start a part-time job as a carer, not because she needed the income, but because she wanted to be involved with older people so that she could serve them as part of her walk with Christ.

Are we encouraging older members in the church to use and develop their gifts?

An opportunity to benefit from an intergenerational church

One of the things that often strikes newcomers arriving at church is how it manages to be a place for all ages. Most things we do in the UK target a particular demographic, but church services are one of those wonderful places where anyone is welcome no matter their social status, background, ethnicity or age. Older believers bring a treasure trove of wisdom, perspective and lived experience of walking with Christ. As Job 12:12 reminds us: ​“So with old age is wisdom, and with length of days understanding.”

But the gift is not one way. Older people also need encouragement, friendship and support from younger generations. I know of a church where the children’s and youth groups go and regularly visit some of the older people’s groups to hold joint sessions together. The benefits to both the younger and older generations can clearly be seen as they enjoy making crafts together and join in collectively thinking about their glorious Saviour.

At your church, are you thinking through how you can encourage and foster these intergenerational relationships? If you do, the result will be mutual blessing. Young people gain wisdom; older people gain joy and renewed purpose, and it is beautiful to see.

An opportunity to show compassion and love to the most vulnerable

Of course, later life is not always easy. Many older people face frailty, loneliness or suffering. But this is where the church can shine with Christ-like compassion.

Take care homes, for example. Countless residents would love a friendly visitor to sit or chat with. One of the things I most enjoy about my role at Embracing Age is helping churches to befriend those in care homes.

A church in Solihull has recently gathered a group of church members who are going to visit residents in five different homes near to them. Malcolm, a member of their group, says, ​“We already have got some members or family members in care homes, and we were looking to become more missional than we had in the past and then… it’s just gained momentum from there.’

Jackie, who works at a care home in Renfrewshire, Scotland, reached out to her local Baptist church to see if they could visit. Jackie says, ​“People come from church to join our residents for a short meeting and then have tea afterwards. This has made a huge difference to our residents who were missing church and losing faith due to lack of church community.”

As well as care home residents, it is worth thinking through how you are supporting those who are caring for a loved one at home. Their responsibilities might well be overwhelming them, and helping them in practical ways can transform their quality of life.

There are lots of other vulnerable older people whom you will have the opportunity to support through your church family. We are praying that the assisted dying bill does not pass into law. But if it does, as Christians in this country we are going to have to prayerfully think through how we lovingly reach out to those who are considering ending their lives. Our response to this as a church is an opportunity to show the world what true compassion and love looks like.

Take the opportunities

Yes, an ageing population presents challenges. But far more than that, it presents the church with the chance to:

• Reach more people with the gospel.
• Mobilise older generations for mission.
• Enjoy the richness of intergenerational community.
• Show the world Christ’s compassion and love.

At Embracing Age, we are here to help churches step into these opportunities. If your church would like training, support or encouragement, we would love to hear from you.

Could an ageing population be one of the greatest opportunities for the gospel in our time?