Require Seminaries to offer electives on Senior Ministry Programs Petition: Signature List Feed http://www.gopetition.com/signatures/require-seminaries-to-offer-electives-on-senior-ministry-programs.html Online petition signatures en-us Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:57 UTC GoPetition RSS Feed Generator Copyright 2026 GoPetition Judith Jonker bredeweg [Signature #113] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/18739247?utm_medium=rss Stigmatized group

]]> Sat, 11 Apr 2015 04:41:16 UTC 18739247 Diane Mettam [Signature #112] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/16104599?utm_medium=rss We have gone so crazy trying to target families, children and youth we have thrown away a very wise, caring and valuable part of our congregation. Many retirees are living another 20 years or more and have time and passion to give, others need the church's compassion.

]]> Wed, 6 Nov 2013 10:37:45 UTC 16104599 Patricia Zemany [Signature #111] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/15518863?utm_medium=rss Do a music and word with senior every week.

]]> Mon, 15 Jul 2013 06:58:06 UTC 15518863 Winona Stonebraker [Signature #110] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/15278691?utm_medium=rss Older adults have many concerns that are specific to their age group. The local church needs to help seniors feel wanted, grow spiritually, and be aware of resources available to help them in their later years. The church can be a rich resource for them. Each clergy member should understand the specific needs of seniors and how to address them. This does not mean that the clergy have to lead this ministry but they certainly need to be a vital part of programs for older adults. it is vital that local churches develop older adult ministry programs that are by, with and for ALL older adults.

]]> Mon, 20 May 2013 04:33:17 UTC 15278691 Barbara Bruce [Signature #109] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/15127842?utm_medium=rss With many pastors serving small churches as first appointments, we MUST pay attention to the demographics of an aging population. THE CHURCH IS AGING FASTER THAN ONE YEAR AT A TIME.... PAY ATTENTION~

]]> Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:13:21 UTC 15127842 Rachael Gregory [Signature #108] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/15058956?utm_medium=rss Sat, 13 Apr 2013 10:25:33 UTC 15058956 Wayne J Schneider [Signature #107] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/15014165?utm_medium=rss Thu, 4 Apr 2013 12:30:52 UTC 15014165 Valencia Taylor [Signature #106] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/15005218?utm_medium=rss Tue, 2 Apr 2013 01:07:51 UTC 15005218 Rev. Dr. William Samson [Signature #105] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14987432?utm_medium=rss Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:57:42 UTC 14987432 Cecile Adams [Signature #104] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14980420?utm_medium=rss Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:14:25 UTC 14980420 Anonymous [Signature #103] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14975446?utm_medium=rss Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:03:39 UTC 14975446 Deborah Bass [Signature #102] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14971567?utm_medium=rss Mon, 25 Mar 2013 02:24:45 UTC 14971567 Toni Clay [Signature #101] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14971333?utm_medium=rss Mon, 25 Mar 2013 01:36:42 UTC 14971333 Dwayne Grant [Signature #100] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14970860?utm_medium=rss Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:49:49 UTC 14970860 Marian Shearer [Signature #99] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14969993?utm_medium=rss Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:55:53 UTC 14969993 Kristi Barlette [Signature #98] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14967726?utm_medium=rss Sun, 24 Mar 2013 07:21:22 UTC 14967726 Paige Gordon [Signature #97] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14965953?utm_medium=rss Sun, 24 Mar 2013 01:38:17 UTC 14965953 Allan Ferguson [Signature #96] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14965000?utm_medium=rss other subjects needed to address: education for families dealing with Alzheimer's and other dementias; education for new missions for young seniors and active seniors to engage in

]]> Sun, 24 Mar 2013 10:51:34 UTC 14965000 Barbara Schultze [Signature #95] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14961394?utm_medium=rss As people age, they are seen as less relevant to our society - including the church. We need to regain the wisdom of the elder members of our church as well as providing appropriate ministry and worship opportunities.

]]> Sat, 23 Mar 2013 07:21:01 UTC 14961394 Diane Mettam [Signature #94] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14960145?utm_medium=rss In many communities this is the dominant age group. Many people over age 55 are vibrant and active, others are frail and medically challenged. All desire a relationship with the Lord, and all deserve the attention of the church. We shouldn't be throwing them aside to concentrate on a population that might not exist in some communities, nor should we ignore them in a community that does have people under the age of 35.

]]> Sat, 23 Mar 2013 02:29:22 UTC 14960145 Rus Roach [Signature #93] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14949598?utm_medium=rss Sr adult ministry will be huge for churches now and in the future.

]]> Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:31:55 UTC 14949598 Chaplain Rick Kiekintveld [Signature #92] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14949313?utm_medium=rss This is so important!

]]> Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:53:18 UTC 14949313 Karen Altergott [Signature #91] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14939696?utm_medium=rss My Ph.D. in Sociology was fully funded by the National Institute on Aging, because they realized that academia needed more gerontologists. I served and trained many in gerontology, before entering fulltime ministry. I am an ordained elder in the Indiana Conference, and I often say, God did not waste a day of my life - everything I learned about family, aging, cultures is so useful to the church!

]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:03:01 UTC 14939696 Jo Ann Lawson [Signature #90] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14919273?utm_medium=rss Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:35:13 UTC 14919273 Nathan Firmin [Signature #89] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14919045?utm_medium=rss Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:55:52 UTC 14919045 Kathy Strawn [Signature #88] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14914606?utm_medium=rss Mon, 18 Mar 2013 04:02:11 UTC 14914606 Nancy Coper [Signature #87] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14912175?utm_medium=rss Following a BS in Christian Ministry, I worked an entry level Home Companion job with Home Instead Senior care for 3 1/2 years go on the conviction from the book of James that "religion that is pure and faultless is to look after widows and orphans in their distress. It gave me lots of food for thought. This is truly needed. I could write a paper on my experiences...about God's direction and leading in the care of my seniors. I am also a boomer...born in 1952.

]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2013 07:53:36 UTC 14912175 Rev. Dr. Alan Rhodes [Signature #86] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14908874?utm_medium=rss Sun, 17 Mar 2013 01:42:26 UTC 14908874 Pamela Breniser [Signature #85] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14901386?utm_medium=rss Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:31:20 UTC 14901386 Vivian Woods [Signature #84] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14894307?utm_medium=rss Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:55:11 UTC 14894307 Karen Nicholos [Signature #83] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14882868?utm_medium=rss This is a hugely important issue that I feel passionately about

]]> Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:05:29 UTC 14882868 Susan Lankford [Signature #82] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14882109?utm_medium=rss Let's prepare our ministers to bring disciples of all ages to their full potential in Christ.

]]> Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:44:57 UTC 14882109 Josephine DiCalogero [Signature #81] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14877826?utm_medium=rss Tue, 12 Mar 2013 03:17:20 UTC 14877826 Vivian Jones [Signature #80] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14875947?utm_medium=rss This is such a serious item and needs to be addressed seriously. All our churches are losing this group of important members that we should be training our leaders to be able to reach and gather this group. I strongly advise you to provide needed education and guidance in very important area.

]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:54:44 UTC 14875947 William Mayor [Signature #79] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14873307?utm_medium=rss Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:46:20 UTC 14873307 Danese Collins [Signature #78] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14872822?utm_medium=rss Mon, 11 Mar 2013 09:05:08 UTC 14872822 Laura Salguero [Signature #77] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14871855?utm_medium=rss Mon, 11 Mar 2013 04:54:51 UTC 14871855 Carol Cline [Signature #76] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14868459?utm_medium=rss Mon, 11 Mar 2013 07:06:22 UTC 14868459 Larry Winebrenner [Signature #75] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14863254?utm_medium=rss `As one of those already there, I firmly believe the church is failing God's children at a crucial point in life. When I was in active ministry if someone referred to children as "our future" I would always remind them that the older members were our "present church." And not much has changed. More than preparation the seniors for death and dying. I was chaplain for several years in as retirement community. The major problem I saw was loneliness. Perhaps the second was programs designed by young staff members for younger people not suitable for oldsters. A careful course of study should be provided for every seminary student. It would hurt for seminaries to have a visitation program regarding the elderly for clergy already in service.

]]> Sun, 10 Mar 2013 07:35:36 UTC 14863254 Cathy Schmidt [Signature #74] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14859419?utm_medium=rss Sat, 9 Mar 2013 11:24:38 UTC 14859419 Robin Margolis [Signature #73] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14853827?utm_medium=rss Fri, 8 Mar 2013 05:54:38 UTC 14853827 Missy Buchanan [Signature #72] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14852734?utm_medium=rss As an advocate for older adults, "Aging Well" columnist for United Methodist Reporter and an author of many books related to aging and faith, I wish that every seminary student was required to take classes about aging!

]]> Fri, 8 Mar 2013 03:16:04 UTC 14852734 Frank Benjamin [Signature #71] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14852555?utm_medium=rss Fri, 8 Mar 2013 02:50:12 UTC 14852555 Jisung Lee [Signature #70] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14852501?utm_medium=rss Fri, 8 Mar 2013 02:40:08 UTC 14852501 Anonymous [Signature #69] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14851818?utm_medium=rss Fri, 8 Mar 2013 12:29:56 UTC 14851818 PAULINE MARTIN [Signature #68] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14851367?utm_medium=rss Fri, 8 Mar 2013 11:12:27 UTC 14851367 Carol Jubenville [Signature #67] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14851094?utm_medium=rss As an Executive Director of Senior Housing as well as an associate United Methodist Pastor to a church with 400+ members, I endorse this petition. Also, we must include our communities in a more holistic way as we offer practical and spiritual reform for caring to and with our elderly population. In 2005 I was a Congressional Delegate to the White House Conference on Aging and it was the first conference the President of the US didn't attend. As a nation and as a church we do not care for our saged community with respect, dignity and love as they are preparing themselves to go on to their second journey in life....called heaven. Much of the time they are preparing themselves in isolation and without the spiriutal support of clergy.

]]> Fri, 8 Mar 2013 10:21:09 UTC 14851094 Insook Do [Signature #66] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14850948?utm_medium=rss Fri, 8 Mar 2013 09:55:03 UTC 14850948 Winona Stonebraker [Signature #65] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14850504?utm_medium=rss Older Adult Ministries is a vital program for a church that serves the whole community. There are many interests, needs and concerns of seniors in which the Christian community should be involved. Pastors should have a solid foundation in these areas. The older adult population is gr0wing rapidly and the church needs to recognize the role they have in working with seniors. Elder abuse, spirituality of the aging, concerns with loneliness, and being aware of senior living opportunities are only a few of the issues that the pastor and the church should be addressing. Therefore, the pastor needs to become more knowledgeable about older adults needs and concerns.

]]> Fri, 8 Mar 2013 08:16:41 UTC 14850504 Garrett Spawn [Signature #64] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14848993?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 10:36:36 UTC 14848993 Barbara Watt [Signature #63] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14848886?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 09:54:00 UTC 14848886 Francisco Bilog [Signature #62] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14848835?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 09:32:03 UTC 14848835 jacquelyn osborne [Signature #61] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14848726?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 08:50:06 UTC 14848726 Mary Alice Gran [Signature #60] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14848717?utm_medium=rss YES! We need this. Particuarly now that the "older" generation is increasing with so many boomers joining the ranks. My mother (age 90) certainly wishes her UM pastor knew something about relating to older adults. And you and I will be there before we know it.

]]> Thu, 7 Mar 2013 08:47:44 UTC 14848717 Tom DeLoughry [Signature #59] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14848531?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 07:52:03 UTC 14848531 Anne Calvagno [Signature #58] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14848223?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 06:20:45 UTC 14848223 JoAnna DiDonna [Signature #57] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14848185?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 06:14:15 UTC 14848185 Terre Foreman [Signature #56] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14847981?utm_medium=rss A class on death and dying aren't enough. LIVING as a senior can be tough and has its own issues. So, ministers of all faiths need to know how to counsel congregants.

]]> Thu, 7 Mar 2013 05:21:30 UTC 14847981 Stephen Butler [Signature #55] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14847481?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 03:26:50 UTC 14847481 Chaz Martel [Signature #54] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14847372?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 03:06:14 UTC 14847372 Michael Asbury [Signature #53] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14847312?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 02:55:44 UTC 14847312 Rev. Dr. Donald Washburn [Signature #52] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14847247?utm_medium=rss As a Drew Grad I can't believe there hasn't been an elective like this before. Let's get it done! Rev. Dr. Donald Washburn

]]> Thu, 7 Mar 2013 02:45:09 UTC 14847247 Tracy Kiebach [Signature #51] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14847227?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 02:42:25 UTC 14847227 Frank D'Ambrosio [Signature #50] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14847173?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 02:30:09 UTC 14847173 Anonymous [Signature #49] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14847105?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 02:18:17 UTC 14847105 Anonymous [Signature #48] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14847073?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 02:12:54 UTC 14847073 Donald Baxter [Signature #47] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14846676?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 12:55:50 UTC 14846676 Kristin Heiden [Signature #46] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14846637?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 12:47:33 UTC 14846637 Miranda Rand [Signature #45] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14846535?utm_medium=rss The baby-boomer generation is the last generation to have real interest in and commitment to the concept of organized religion -- let's train our pastors to work with this age group and support it, rather than chasing after millennials!

]]> Thu, 7 Mar 2013 12:25:24 UTC 14846535 Sandra Gerhardt [Signature #44] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14845853?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 10:07:57 UTC 14845853 Coreen Witke [Signature #43] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14845719?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 09:37:00 UTC 14845719 Hugh Mackintosh [Signature #42] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14845705?utm_medium=rss i am a member of the Older Adult Ministires Committee @ Nashvile, Tennessee. This should be a priority for curriculum going forward.

]]> Thu, 7 Mar 2013 09:33:24 UTC 14845705 Madonna Moess [Signature #41] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14845617?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 09:11:07 UTC 14845617 Marvin Cropsey [Signature #40] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14845514?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 08:47:35 UTC 14845514 Revs Myron and Barbara Dice [Signature #39] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14845265?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 07:50:06 UTC 14845265 Rev. Dr. Richard Gentzler [Signature #38] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14844865?utm_medium=rss Thu, 7 Mar 2013 06:24:01 UTC 14844865 Tim Gossett [Signature #37] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14843189?utm_medium=rss Wed, 6 Mar 2013 11:14:37 UTC 14843189 Rev. Wayne Reece [Signature #36] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14842910?utm_medium=rss The lengthening older adult segment of society is increasing as people live longer. They are usually lumped together as persons from 55 to 90 and beyond. Children's ministry spans 0-11; youth ministry spans 12-19; young adult spans 20-35+. But older adults spans more than 40 years with diverse gifts and needs. As a retired pastor, I wish we had been given more understanding of gerontology and senior counseling.

]]> Wed, 6 Mar 2013 10:08:32 UTC 14842910 Jennifer Andone [Signature #35] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14842599?utm_medium=rss Wed, 6 Mar 2013 09:08:06 UTC 14842599 Barbara Bruce [Signature #34] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14841916?utm_medium=rss This is critical to the future of the church. I just returned from a Older Adult Ministry meeting of the United Methodist Church. WE MUST TEACH ABOUT MINISTRY BY/WITH/FOR OLDER ADULTS

]]> Wed, 6 Mar 2013 06:53:44 UTC 14841916 Karen Appleby [Signature #33] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14841870?utm_medium=rss Wed, 6 Mar 2013 06:44:52 UTC 14841870 Sara Green [Signature #32] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14841831?utm_medium=rss I took a course titled "Pastoral Care for Older Adults" at Princeton Theological Seminary and am glad I did.

]]> Wed, 6 Mar 2013 06:36:45 UTC 14841831 Eugenia ("Genie") Stoker [Signature #31] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14841006?utm_medium=rss I was born in 1948 and would love for the church to help retirees find new ways to use their skills in the church and community. I've thought of starting a monthly event at our church featuring a different guest speaker each month to introduce a volunteer program in the church or community.

]]> Wed, 6 Mar 2013 04:21:13 UTC 14841006 Pearl Perez [Signature #30] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14840983?utm_medium=rss Its about time for this course. Sometime older adults members are forgotten in the church.

This program should definitely be taught in seminaries.

]]> Wed, 6 Mar 2013 04:17:44 UTC 14840983 Laurie Kaufman de la Garza [Signature #29] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14840978?utm_medium=rss Wed, 6 Mar 2013 04:17:07 UTC 14840978 Jonathan LeMaster-Smith [Signature #28] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14840833?utm_medium=rss The church and the country are about to be hit with an onslaught of the older adults and we need to be prepared. Sadly, this group is the swept away group to make room for a more glamorous young adult. We have failed to care for the vulnerable, this change is needed.

]]> Wed, 6 Mar 2013 03:57:50 UTC 14840833 Jan Durham [Signature #27] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14840759?utm_medium=rss Wed, 6 Mar 2013 03:50:31 UTC 14840759 Delia Halverson [Signature #26] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14840651?utm_medium=rss Being a senior myself, I want to encourage any ministry with seniors be just that - WITH - not just FOR. Yes, there is the group of seniors who need to be ministered to, but the active seniors will have nothing to do with that. A morning of Bingo or crafts is not their idea of anything worth attending. Get into some good book discussions and from there reach out to service for others in the community and learning about those that the church ministers to around the world.

]]> Wed, 6 Mar 2013 03:37:37 UTC 14840651 Ruth Hansen [Signature #25] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14838481?utm_medium=rss Wed, 6 Mar 2013 11:00:02 UTC 14838481 Henry F Walter [Signature #24] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14836870?utm_medium=rss Wed, 6 Mar 2013 07:38:52 UTC 14836870 Edwin Clever [Signature #23] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14829892?utm_medium=rss Tue, 5 Mar 2013 01:58:16 UTC 14829892 Judy Marks [Signature #22] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14828847?utm_medium=rss Tue, 5 Mar 2013 11:52:16 UTC 14828847 Rachel Andrisevic [Signature #21] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14828724?utm_medium=rss Tue, 5 Mar 2013 11:33:06 UTC 14828724 Lynne Atherton [Signature #20] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14828227?utm_medium=rss Tue, 5 Mar 2013 10:30:57 UTC 14828227 Laurence Smith [Signature #19] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14825625?utm_medium=rss Even in the church we have created a culture that worships youth and often lets the rest of the world fend for itself. Train for all ages, recognizing that we will likely find some age groups that we truly has a gift in reaching and an affinity for. Then we will be better prepared for the real world in which we serve. To God be the glory. Amen.

]]> Tue, 5 Mar 2013 03:04:03 UTC 14825625 Thomas Merrill [Signature #18] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14823167?utm_medium=rss Mon, 4 Mar 2013 06:16:49 UTC 14823167 Calvin "Cal" Brannon [Signature #17] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14821088?utm_medium=rss Mon, 4 Mar 2013 02:40:17 UTC 14821088 Mary Richardson [Signature #16] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14820103?utm_medium=rss Mon, 4 Mar 2013 01:10:56 UTC 14820103 Raymond Kramer [Signature #15] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14818524?utm_medium=rss There is a focus on the younger people in our churches today which is greatly appreciated. One must remember that there are many churches that have seasoned members; who can be of great value to their church. Keep all of our members active.

]]> Mon, 4 Mar 2013 11:09:17 UTC 14818524 Paul Wood [Signature #14] https://www.gopetition.com/signature/locate/14818409?utm_medium=rss Mon, 4 Mar 2013 11:01:10 UTC 14818409