PURPOSE:
THE CENTER FOR LIFETIME MINISTRY assists congregations in developing effective ministry by and for older adults.
assists: consults, counsels, advises, empowers, encourages
congregations: communities of faith, evangelical, organized
developing: bringing out the possibilities, creating new ideas, a dynamic process of growth, making more available or usable
effective: decisive action producing maximum results
ministry: touching lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
by: older adults doing ministry
for: older adults receiving ministry
older adults: persons living a long time
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MISSION:
THE CENTER FOR LIFETIME MINISTRY seeks to serve churches that are interested in reaching older adults with the saving, healing and renewing gospel of Christ. Church leadership needs to have an openness to addressing the issues of aging in congregational life. Lifetime seeks to educate, empower, create, and challenge congregations to develop ministry strategies.
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SERVICES:
Lifetime currently offers several services to assist churches. They include:
Consultations
LIFETIME staff will meet with church leadership (pastoral staff, church boards, Christian education leaders, or Seniors ministry leaders) to discuss the issues, challenges, and opportunities of older adult ministry.
Recommendations will be made and a plan of action presented.
Lifetime Sensitivity Assessment
LIFETIME staff will conduct an on-site, in-depth analysis of a church's facility, accommodations, outreach efforts and ministries for older adults. This will include personal interviews, focus groups, surveys, and facility inspection. A detailed report will be presented.
Unleashing the Power of Age Seminars
These one or two day workshops are designed to assemble persons interested in older adult ministries and involve them in lively and provocative education and discussion. Participants are asked to consider how current social, economic and spiritual issues in an aging society will impact the church. The day concludes with the assembly developing and adopting resolutions for action.
Speaking
Richard and Leona Bergstrom are available to speak on a variety of issues dealing with aging, mid-life, future trends of an aging society, ministry ideas, and leaving a legacy of faith. Dr. Bergstrom is also available to challenge the congregation through his preaching ministry.
Lifetime Retreats
Participants assemble in a retreat setting for two days and are challenged to review their personal journeys of faith, share their stories, consider their legacies, and determine opportunities to leave a heritage of faith to the next generations. This retreat is particularly helpful to those considering their next steps of service following retirement or transition.
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RELEASED IN 2000: AMAZING GRAYS: UNLEASHING THE POWER OF AGE IN YOUR CONGREGATION:
Publications
We have published the book entitled "Amazing Grays: Unleashing the Power of Age in Your Congregation". This manual is filled with helpful "how-to's" and ideas for seniors leaders and groups. The book is published by ChurchHealth.
To order your copy of Amazing Grays, go to our ORDER PAGE.
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Presentations
We continue to develop speeches, workshops, sermons, lessons and seminars dealing with the issues of aging and the church. These are a sample of the presentations we currently offer:
"Generation to Generation" - an educational seminar that not only tours memory lane, but analyzes the differences in values, perspectives and beliefs that divide the generations. Suggestions are offered as to how to break down those barriers.
"Leaving a Legacy" - a lecture dealing with the responsibility and joys of leaving a heritage of faith
"Finishing Well" - a lecture challenging all of us to finish the race with integrity and faith
"The Boomers Grow Up" - a lecture exploring the issues of aging the Baby Boomers face
"The Future is Aging" - what lies ahead around the globe as we experience the mass aging of our societies. What are the social, economical, physical and spiritual implications?
"Grace and Gravity" - a discussion for women facing the challenges of mid-life, aging parents, maturing children, and rapid transitions
Life Focus
We are continuing to develop opportunities for seniors to be involved in life focus/renewal experiences.
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TRAVEL.
Lifetime Ministries of ChurchHealth sponsors occasional travel and tour opportunities in partnership with churches and denominational groups. We also are planning a short term mission opportunity to Belize in early February of 2005.
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FUNDING
ChurchHealth is a not-for-profit agency governed by a volunteer board of directors and organized under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service code.
ChurchHealth is supported by persons whom God has called to be financial partners in this ministry. Contributions may be sent to ChurchHealth, PO Box 1493, Edmonds, WA 98020-1493. A tax-deductible receipt will be issued immediately, as well as a year-end contribution summary.
Dick and Leona Bergstrom are taking a step of faith in launching the ministry of LIFETIME. Funds will be provided through individual donors, foundation grants, church contributions, and honoraria.
Persons interested in ChurchHealth's financial information may examine IRS Form 990 by doing a charity search at www.helping.org. Financial statements are also available by request through the ChurchHealth office. Donations may also be made online through the Helping.org/Guidestar partnership.
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WHAT IS ChurchHealth? [LIFETIME is a program arm of ChurchHealth]
ChurchHealth was established in March, 1995, in response to God's calling and leading. Dr. Richard Bergstrom and Leona Bergstrom founded the non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization for the purpose of promoting pastoral renewal, church revitalization and community transformation. The mission of ChurchHealth is to promote spiritual and organizational health in the body of Christ, resulting in effective congregations which transform their communities and impact the world. ChurchHealth has had the opportunity to assist many churches and pastors through a consulting and partnering ministry.
Richard attended and graduated from Westmont College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He then attended Denver Seminary, graduating in 1976 with a Master of Divinity. Later Dick completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Western Seminary in Portland. Dick's life of ministry has included serving in the youth ministry, senior pastorate, as associate pastoral staff, on staff for two para-church organizations, and most recently as a denominational District Executive Minister. He currently serves as the Pastor of Second Half Ministries and Congregational Care at Northshore Baptist Church in Bothell, Washington.
Leona Bergstrom serves as the Director for LIFETIME. She also attended Westmont College, graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Dick and Leona moved back to Denver to attend seminary. While assisting Dick in ministry, Leona also pursued a career in gerontology. Having a well developed love for older adults, she worked in a variety of settings including nursing homes, retirement homes, mental health programs and a hospital. Leona recently completed a 10 year tenure at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham, as the Director of Senior Health. There she had the opportunity to develop, implement and manage several social and health care programs for older adults - including the opening of a state of the art, primary geriatric care, Center for Senior Health, which has since been expanded as it continues to grow and server the senior community of Bellingham, Washington. She recently concluded serving as Director of Senior Community Programs for CRISTA in Seattle, Washington.
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THE CENTER FOR LIFETIME MINISTRY...a division of ChurchHealth