CELC Column Senior Ministry Inventory

"What's Pastor Holley Thinking?"

December 15, 2004

Today I am thinking about the Senior Ministry Inventory, from Church Resources, Inc. Our Virginia Synod had several workshops to introduce us to a wonderful new tool for ministry. It is an inventory that is completed by members 50 years of age and older and mailed to Church Resources to be tabulated. All of this is confidential. Each person completing an inventory will receive a four page confidential report that helps identify specific life-arenas that need attention as they grow older. So it will be of direct benefit to you.

In addition the congregation will receive a summary report that tells of trends and needs in the congregation for planning purposes. It, too, is confidential, in that no names are ever used. One congregation that received such a report discovered that many of their members had problems with their feet and began a foot care ministry. I know what that means since my mother is an insulin using diabetic. Care of her feet is very important. Any injury to her feet may mean serious trouble that can even escalate into having part of her leg amputated.

The Church Council approved doing this Inventory and after the first of the year we will begin to implement the process to do just that. I hope that everyone that is eligible will join me in doing this Inventory. It will serve you and Christ Church. Perhaps it will end up serving some we have not yet met.

This is a very easy project. The cost of the Inventory is $12 and a few minutes of your time to complete it. Yet the results could make a significant difference in your life, the life of our parish and even the Virginia Synod as move ahead in ministry.

I am looking forward to doing the Senior Ministry Inventory with you.

Peace, Pastor Holley