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UK News

Churches warned on overlooking elderly

The Salvation Army says it has encountered churches where there appears to be a perception that pensioners do not need to be reached with the Gospel.

Andrew Wileman, assistant director of older people's ministries at the organisation, told Premier: "We want new people to join our church, we want new people to make the journey into knowing Jesus as personal saviour and yet we seem to think that perhaps stops at 65 and that older people don't have a need to come into faith."

Coinciding with the United Nations' International Day of Older People initiative, the church is unveiling a new collection of resources to try and tackle the problem.

PA

It includes a sermon outline, prayer guidance, games and discussion topics to help ensure pensioners are welcomed into the church and that they are encouraged to see retirement as an opportunity to receive a new calling from God.

Mr Wileman explained: "We want older people to be inspired and empowered to be able to access some of this material [and] access the valuable role that they play in the life of the church."

"Occasionally, we can under-estimate the role and value of older people. We know that in many churches, older people represent the largest percentage of congregations. There are many people over 65 years old who are involved in the leadership of churches."

Click here to listen to Premier's Alex Williams speaking with Andrew Wileman at the Salvation Army:

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