The greatest challenge in writing about preaching with older people is the sheer diversity of older people, their needs and backgrounds. So, this blog provides some thoughts, you will need wisdom to apply them to your context. As preaching requires both exegetical content and public speaking skills, I will start with the question of content and finish with some quick public speaking with older people tips.
The greatest content danger for sermons for older people is assumption.
For example, assuming older people do not struggle with temptation, e.g. lust. Older people are adults and struggle with the same basic sins that affect other adults. Therefore, exegetical preaching should always highlight the danger of sin, call people to holiness and that salvation from sin is found in Christ alone.
A second common assumption is that older people are spiritually set in their ways. The danger here is twofold. That older Christians are safe in their faith and therefore do not need challenge and encouragement to grow in Christ. Older Christians are facing the greatest trials of their lives, so they need the greatest preaching of their lives.
Assuming older people who do not know Jesus are hard to lead to faith is common. The secular research here is compelling – as people age, they become more interested in spirituality! Spirituality in this context being ‘meaning, hope and purpose’ rather than ‘God, Jesus and Scripture’. HOWEVER, our sermons should proclaim Jesus and His impact on our meaning, hope and purpose. Despite not being an evangelist, as an older person’s chaplain I see multiple people come to faith each year. Thus, it is critical we proclaim the Gospel to older people, who have spent decades in the pews and those who rarely darken the church.
Having examined two assumptions, let’s examine two general principles: mortality and Sunday school. If you are used to preaching to younger adults you will know the challenge of convincing them that they are mortal. By contrast older people are intimately aware of their ‘frailty’ and mortality. So, focus not on the reality of mortality but the power of Jesus over mortality.
The second principle is that many of the current crop of older people have profound Sunday school memories. For the people living with dementia these may be amongst the strongest of their memories. This means you can powerfully reference the classic stories. However, many older people were taught these stories out of their context of salvation history. So, there is great value in helping them to see Adam, David, Ruth and Esther in their Biblical context and how they relate to Jesus.
Having covered the content of preaching, let me conclude with some quick public speaking tips with older people:
- Dress: Most older people are more formal in terms of clothing and come from a time when you literally wore your ‘Sunday best’ to church. So, formal attire when preaching to older people has value.
- Short beats long – Not only do attention spans typically decrease as people age, so do the time between trips to the toilet.
- Narrative is king – Jesus preaching primarily and powerfully used narrative, we do well to imitate Him.
- Hearing – ‘How can they come if they do not hear?’ Effective preaching must be audible to people with hearing loss. So, ask: Did they hear me! Keep your hands away from your mouth and facial hair trimmed to facilitate lip reading.
- Projectors: Screens are a powerful preaching tool in terms of illustrations and helping people engage with the text, but they are useless for people living with macular degeneration. Consider having the option of handouts.
- Pastoral Care: We have a Gospel imperative to preach Christ Crucified. Pastoral work is both evidence of Jesus’ love and prepares people for our preaching.
Finally, I want to commend you for and exhort you to keep preaching to older people.
Rev Ben Boland, is an SMBC graduate, older persons chaplain who has preached with older people at least once a week for over 15 years. His next book ‘Priceless People’ about Gospel ministry with older people and people living with dementia will be released by Christian Focus Publications on the 8th of July and includes a chapter on church and preaching.