This is a dynamic, yet uncertain time in our culture. The "Age Wave" is beginning to crest, and its power will radically change politics, economics, social structures, families, health care systems, and yes, even the church!

There is great power in age: power in wisdom, power in experience, power in time and financial resources! It is time to unleash that power within congregations and churches across the country.

This book is designed to help leaders understand why and how to develop effective, energetic and powerful older adult ministries. Given the opportunity, you will find emerging from within your ranks some truly AMAZING GRAYS!

The authors of the book, Leona and Richard Bergstrom, have a deep desire to help the church develop effective ministries for, by and with older adults. Leona Bergstrom has had over twenty years in the field of gerontology, developing, implementing and managing a variety of health care and social service programs for older adults. Richard Bergstrom, D.Min., has served as a pastor, associate staff, church consultant and as a denominational executive minister. They have founded a faith-based organization called ChurchHealth to assist churches in becoming healthy organizations that can impact the world for Christ. Lifetime Ministries is a division of ChurchHealth designed to help churches develop effective older adult ministries.

Richard and Leona wrote this book to help churches and leaders understand why and how to develop effective and powerful ministries for older adults. Richard comes from a pastoral background, and has served as a Senior Pastor, associate staff, consultant and denominational executive minister. Leona (while also being a pastor's wife) has served in the field of gerontology for over 20 years, developing, implementing and managing a variety of healthcare and social service programs for older adults. They both are currently involved in their own faith-based ministry called ChurchHealth, which is designed to help churches become healthy and effective. In their work with churches, they have noted that many do not understand the unique challenges and needs of aging adults. Oftentimes, they have found older adults to be "marginalized" or ignored as people in need of both ministry to them and ministry by them. As they worked with churches, they were continually asked to put something in writing that would be of practical and helpful assistance. That is what "Amazing Grays" is.

The book is designed somewhat like a manual. It is 8 1/2" X 11", and written
in 14 pt. type. The chapters are:

Chapter1: Why Develop a Ministry for Older Adults?
Chapter 2: Where Do We Start?
Chapter 3: What Shall We Do?
Chapter 4: How Can We Serve?
Chapter 5: It's All In a Name
Chapter 6: God's Waiting Room
Chapter 7: Lifelong Learning
Chapter 8: The Spirit is Willing but the Body is Weak
Chapter 9: Will They Find Us Faithful?
Chapter 10: Let Us Go Into the House of the Lord
Chapter ll: How Do We Measure Success?

Appendix A: Resources for Older Adult ministries (20+ pages of books, tapes, and websites to help)

Appendix B: LIFETIME: A Ministry of ChurchHealth - information about our ministry and how we can help the church in developing older adult ministries.

The book is 142 pages long.

Unleashing the Power of Age in Your Congregation Workshop
This one-day workshop is designed to bring together leaders from
one congregation or many congregations to discuss how current social,
economic, and spiritual issues in an aging society impact the church.
Participants interact about the needs of older adults in their church and
community, and strategize action the church can take to meet those needs.
This fast-moving, thought-provoking workshop can be a dynamic catalyst to
move your church from "thinking about" older adult ministries to "action!"
Led by Dr. Richard Bergstrom and Leona Bergstrom.

Consultations
Dr. and Mrs. Bergstrom are available to consult with pastoral staff, church boards, and senior ministry leaders to think through the issues facing your particular church and community.

Training Sessions
Lifetime is available to train members of your congregation, denomination or community in developing a ministry to, with and by older adults.
Our primary seminar topics are:
1. Unleashing the Power of Age in Your Life. A seminar for one church or multiple congregation to address the potential of life in the second half.
2. Unleashing the Power of Age in Your Congregation. A seminar to bring together leaders of one larger congregation or multiple congregations in a community or denomination to train them in developing relevant strategies to meet the needs of middle, mature, and senior adults. Reports from past seminars are on our website.
3. Unleashing the Power of Age in Your Community: a seminar to bring together leaders of faith communities throughout a community to learn how they can callaborate on projects or grant opportunities. One such seminar is scheduled for April 2004 in Spokane, WA

Speaking
The Bergstroms are available to speak at retreats, senior events, worship services, Sunday School classes and conferences.

For more information about ChurchHealth and LIFETIME, please call (425) 774-8252, or visit our website at www.chonline.org