CASA Academy - Navigating Ministry in Times of Generational Changes - 4-COURSES

CASA ACADEMY

Navigating Ministry in Times of Generational Changes

A core curriculum designed to increase skills and understanding for pastors, missionaries, professionals in aging and others who serve midlife and beyond age men and women in the church and community.

CLA  101

            Changing Images of Aging and Generations 

Longevity of life, increased social mobility, change in the family structure, and an extended work career have dramatically affected the ministries of the local church. Church leaders find themselves at a crossroads of responding or reacting to these significant social changes. This course lays the necessary foundation for leaders to "rethink" and "rewire" their approaches in ministry with aging generations. Students can be expected to expand their vision as they create "new maps" for the extended life course as well as the linkage of generations.

 

CLA-102  

            Assessing Biblical Mandates for Ministries To, With and By Middle and Later Generations

 

The Bible is rich with guiding examples for how persons in the middle and older generations should live as believers. The Bible also instructs today’s Church on how aging persons should be served in the local church. This course explores biblical passages that specifically apply to persons in their middle and later lives. Attention is also given to books and periodicals that address biblical understandings of aging and the normative roles of older families in God’s redemptive plan in contemporary culture(s).

 

CLA-201

            Programming for Ministries To, With and By Middle and Later Generations: Planning, Implementation and Evaluation

 

Ministries designed to meet needs of middle and older generations are often perceived as being more program focused than person focused.  This course examines the practices of churches with attention given to how goals and objectives are developed. Age grading will also come under scrutiny and possible alternatives will be explored. The strengths and weaknesses of current models of church programming for and with senior adults are examined. Resistance to participation in senior adult ministry programs by contemporary middle-aged generations is also studied. Essential skills for programming multigenerational ministries in the 21^st century are developed.

 

CLA-202

            Developing Innovative Leadership of Ministries To, With and By Middle and Later Generations in the 21^st Century

This course poses the question, “What is the most effective leadership style for pastors, missionaries and other church leaders who work with middle and older generations? Leadership styles used by ministers in various types and sizes of churches and church organizations will be examined. The leadership styles of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, Jesus and Paul will be studied in light of or contrasted with contemporary leadership philosophies evident in business and industry.  Authors such as Peter Drucker, Gordon MacDonald, William Easom, James Champy, Lyle Schaller, Townsend, etc. will be studied. These sources will provide insights for students as they write a final integrative paper on their own philosophy of leadership and ministry to, with, and by middle and later generations in the local church.