Honoring the Elder’s Ministry The black church has the responsibility of being a caregiver or as an access to caregivers who have elders that are located within the home. Therefore, congregations of every size, location, and varying resources can plan, design, and implement a ministry of relief that eases the burden placed upon the caregiver. A proactive ministry of relief can also remove the psychological feeling of guilt when a caregiver admits to weariness and fatigue.
The wisdom and grace on the life of an elderly becomes imparted into our lives as we invest in them, and honor them with servant-hood. Therefore, as Christians, we need to understand that having the opportunity to care for the elderly and to serve them is a command from God.
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They have spent time preaching and teaching others what they have learned through time and experiences. Therefore, we should honor their commitment to their church and community, and their commitment to serving God. The elderly have already endured the trials of life, and have offered their knowledge to the church and community as a receipt of survival. However, there should be personal visits, regular visitations that evolve into solid relationships and welcoming events that celebrate strength to express gratitude for what has been done in past years. Therefore, by doing this kind of celebration it will increase the honor and comfort for the seniors in their community of faith (Saucer & Elster …show more content…
However, we can reinstitute pleasure, respect, and dignity by offering our time to the seniors. Celebration is energized by remembrance and recognition, and demonstrated in caring and service. God celebrates the life of the youth and elderly. Therefore, it is important that we as the people of God should not fail to care, cease to celebrate, and not forget (Saucer & Elster 23). Psalm 71:9, Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength fail. This scripture made me realize that one day I will become of age. Therefore, the wisdom and knowledge of the elderly is a pathway for the younger group, and for the future generations to appreciate. Deuteronomy 32:7, Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: Ask thy father, and He will show you, thy elders, and they will tell you. Therefore, generations have been entrusted with different lessons based upon the time they have lived, and there is much to be learned from those that have gone before us. God places people in our lives who can teach us these lessons; parents, grandparents, and the church elders. However, if we would take the time and ask for their help, it will benefit us and it will certainly help the seniors feel they are
Dr. Ken Nichols in his book “Masterpiece” said it best, “We may notice how God is changing us from the inside out, but over time, those who are watching us will be able to see the difference.” As discussed in chapter four, the direction of inclination of the approaches to cope with burnout by the pastors in the Northeast Florida was meditation, exercise, bible reading and prayer dialogue with others, study for renewing, listening to hymns, and so on. Most strategies that the African-American pastors suggested represent spiritual and conservative methods. Now, this chapter will bring to the light the practical and
According to the case Bessie’s Story, Bessie was an 80-year-old black woman who faces many issues of elderly African Americans. She recently began to have declining physical health and progressing arthritis. She has suffered several losses of her family and friends, causing some emotional feelings of sadness and despair. Her husband of 59 years, died 2 years ago. Bessie attends services at the Baptist church every Sunday and prayer meetings once a week. She frequently walks, slower now, in her neighborhood and works in her garden. Bessie a typical of many elderly black women is in need of health promotion activities to maintain her quality of life.
While the major thrust of this manual is to help Christians in a nursing home ministry, this final part enlarges the scope a bit to help churches organize to meet the needs of elderly people both inside and outside of nursing homes.
In African American Pastoral Care: Revised Edition, Dr. Wimberly spoke about responding to God’s unfolding and continually changing times when dealing with healing and reconciliation. In this revision of his classic book, Dr. Wimberly updated his message by examining current issues in African American pastoral care, counseling, and outreach ministry in the community. Dr. Wimberly reminded us that we need to do more for our members and proposed new pastoral care approaches to the crisis of disconnection. Using his own narrative, he explained and described how pastors and church leaders can claim a new narrative method for reestablishing the African American village. His paradigm for African American pastoral theology is inspiring African Americans.
“If youth but had the knowledge and old age the strength,” (Proverb). Remember sitting on the porch swing with grandpa and listening to him rant and rave about what seemed utterly irrelevant? What about the time that you got backhanded for rolling your eyes at crazy Mrs. Roberts when she would preach ‘life lessons’ at you? However, with age, it has become more and more apparent that maybe Mrs. Roberts wasn’t that far off from what is really the problems most fail to see. In today’s generation, the elderly have often been put on the back burner when they shouldn’t be. Although at times it might seem like the young are utterly invincible, the harsh truth is that there is so much knowledge we are yet to possess, residing within our elders. In Rudolfo Anaya’s A Celebration of Grandfathers, we see just how important Grandpa’s extraneous rants actually were.
Stigmas and stereotypes plague modern day society. Stigmas regarding race, gender, and religion are publically fought over and receive a great deal of attention; however, stereotypes concerning old age are frequently overlooked; perceived to be just a part of our normal society. Old age is an accomplishment and an individual should be proud and ought to celebrate his or her milestones. Birthday cards often undermine the value of old age, and make-up companies, magazines, and both mainstream and social media generally discount older individuals unless advertising ways to feel, act, or appear younger. One man who defies the stigma of old age and rejoices in it is my Grandfather Marvin. Marvin is a seventy-seven-year-old male who lives in Oskaloosa,
Everyone will grow old, as the aging process of the human body is inevitable. However, each day in our life can bring on new adventures, new friends, and knowledge of the world a round us. Yet, many people have negative views towards those who are considered older adults and thus, have a negative belief on the aging process as a whole. Throughout the quarter, COMM 119 has taught us why there is this negative stigma around the aging process and specially, on older adults as a group. This paper will address my stereotypical views of the aging process before COMM 119, the effect of improperly discussing death and dying, as well as what it means to be a successful ager. Understanding these topics have helped me realize that my viewpoints of elder
...uence of spiritual beliefs and practices on the treatment preferences of African Americans. Ethnogeriatrics and Special Populations, 53(4), 23-34.
Wimberly, E.P. (1997). Counseling African American marriages and families [Electronic Version]. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
It is difficult at best to think positively when older people are viewed as “incompetent, boring, inactive, dependent, unproductive, weak, unhealthy, passive, ugly, dull, and sad” (Gething, 1999, p. 2). Essentially, a stereotype as such asphyxiates the wind from your sail early in one’s journey into old age. Then again, if the finish line is one of oppression, marginalization, and disempowerment, it’s a race best lost (Ranzijn, 2002). The most poignant negative affiliated with aging unquestionably centers on the end of life concerns. Although, our hope is for a peaceful demise there exists a chance of tremendous pain and suffering. The latter remains my biggest fear, which in and of itself sheds a negative light on aging. Subsequently, I turned to the article, Positive Psychology and Productive Aging in hopes it would provide
...for them. In conclusion perception of the elderly are attributed to the way society view them, so let us as a society change the perception and maybe some of the morals and values of our land would return thus decreasing the amount of negative occurrence within our country.
Both of my grandmothers are complete opposites. My grandmothers’ financial status and support system are about the same, but their attitudes are totally different. My father’s mother is always happy and positive about the curve balls that life throws her, whereas my mother’s mother has a constant negative and grumpy outlook on most things. I would say that my grandmother from my father’s side is aging more effectively than the other. This difference, I believe is directly linked to the happier grandmother’s stronger connection with Christ. Her faith and joyous attitude encourages me to keep a well-founded relationship with God and it will always lead to a successful aging, no matter the
The different stages of life are inevitable; one day we will find ourselves older and unable to perform simple daily tasks. One day it will be difficult to remember things we swore would never leave our minds. One day we may lose many of our loved ones and discover a new sense of loneliness. Maybe not anytime soon, but one day it may happen. It is crucial to realize that millions of people are going through this stage today; the elderly do not deserve to be overlooked.
Ralph Waldo Emerson alleged the statement that “it is time to be old, to take in sail.” But what, in fact, does it mean to be old? Does it mean to be wrinkly, feeble, and grumpy? Or does it mean to be happy, successful, and satisfied? It is without a doubt that today’s culture has set many stereotypes and classifications on old age. In this paper, I will address many topics on how old age is defined. First of all, I will describe the ways in which the elderly are perceived in both my culture and my family. Second of all, I will state how my experiences with the elderly have affected my attitude on aging. Third, I will illustrate what I both fear and look forward to in aging. And last but not least, I will explain my thoughts on how a person would meet the criteria for aging well.
To show compassionate to someone’s family or the elderly, one must have to take their own needs out of the equation. Put the focus and energy on families and elderlies, be selfless, and prevent any distractions or personal goals as long as you are committed to their needs. The only way people who are younger can offer an easy passage for the old is to show love, compassion, kindness and accept the fact that ageing brings with it unimaginable fears. As our parents’ journey through life continues, they become more needy and often ask more of their adult children. If time and health allow, adult children caring for their older loved-ones could find themselves in the same place as their parents one day. Empathy and compassion go a long way; and remember not to take the time that you have left together for