Older Adult Ministry Forum takes listening to a new level
October 19, 2017
By Brandi Jewett, Lyngblomsten staff writer
In a world packed with constant distractions, it can be hard to focus on listening to someone.
Taking a few moments to be attentive can be difficult, but 2nd Half with Lyngblomsten’s most recent Older Adult Ministry Forum “Am I Really Listening?” sought to provide participants with tools to be more purposeful listeners.
About 30 people gathered for the September 18 forum, ranging from pastors and chaplains to congregation members to Lyngblomsten volunteers.
Offered quarterly, Older Adult Ministry Forums provide churches with resources to support and engage older adults. For those attending in September, that meant gaining skills to listen with compassion and understanding, and using their new listening abilities to improve ministry to older adults.
While the forum taught participants how to listen with older adults in mind, Lyngblomsten Faith Community Nurse Becky Hulden said its impact is even more far-reaching.
“I heard a lot of people processing how they will use it professionally or how they will use it in a congregational setting, but I also heard a lot of people processing how they would use it in their own family relationships,” Hulden said.
The forum was led by Barb Schwery, executive director of BeFriender Ministry, which is headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota. BeFriender Ministry is a nonprofit that provides pastoral care and trains individuals in skilled listening.
Schwery described listening as a dance, which requires a leader and a follower. In this case, a listener is a follower and should let the speaker lead them in the conversation. She also emphasized that those listening should do 90 percent of it from the perspective of the person talking.
Six Twin Cities congregations were represented at the forum, with several bringing four to five participants. Coming in groups is key to enhancing the impact of Older Adult Ministry Forums, Hulden said.
“With this kind of ministry, people are coming in groups from their congregations. They’re coming to learn together, which is a powerful thing,” she added. “Whenever anybody comes as part of a group, they go home with a common language. They’ll be able to support each other because they know the same information, they have the same terminology, and they’ll be able to help each other keep using it.”
The next Older Adult Ministry Forum is set for 9:30–11:30 AM on November 6 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Roseville, Minnesota. “Abundant Aging: Living the Second Half of Your Life on Purpose” will explore the rich roles older adults play in their congregations and communities. The forum will feature Marilyn Sharpe, author of a six-week book study based on the book Claiming Your Place at the Fire, as well as a panel sharing how the program has worked in their faith communities.
Registration for the event is required by November 3. Click here to learn more about the forum and how to register.
