In a society that values youth and has a narrow concept of beauty, it's easy for those who don't fit into these categories to get left out. As people get older, they are often ignored or discounted. They are forced into early retirement to make room for younger people or moved to facilities where they are often forgotten. 

A church's mission should not align with these practices and attitudes. However, ageism is often prevalent in the church, just as it is in the society surrounding it. By identifying and eliminating the ways that your church contributes to ageism, you can ensure that it is a place where everyone is welcome and valued.

Examine Statements and Actions

Start by looking at how the people in your church discuss aging. You may hear frequent references to stereotypes of older folks, such as not understanding technology or being stuck in their ways. Sometimes interrupting these assumptions with statements that defy them is a good way to start redefining the way your congregation views aging.

The difficulty with doing this is that these statements are often made by older people themselves. They have become so accustomed to not being valued in their everyday lives that they will often say something self-deprecating as a way of beating others to the punch. When this happens, confirm that the negative stereotypes are not reflective of your experience with them or other older people in your life. This affirmation not only builds them up but helps others around you unlearn ageist assumptions.

Provide Equal Opportunities

There are many ways to serve in the church, and sometimes certain decision-making positions skew younger. Look at several areas of influence in your church:

• Paid staff
• Teachers
• Committee chairs
• Community outreach

Are these positions filled by mostly young people? If so, church leaders should reexamine how candidates for these jobs are selected. It's easy to hide behind the fact that many tasks in the church are performed by volunteers and thus not technically chosen by church leadership. If the positions are only attracting young volunteers, though, there may be something in the way the opportunity is presented that discourages older people from stepping up. This possibility merits investigation.

Budget for Senior Education

Review your church's education budget. Many organizations put aside a great deal of money for children and youth classes, and that's understandable. Parents want to know that their children are being taught what the church believes so that they can make informed decisions about their own personal faith. Learning in an environment that caters to their age group is often helpful.

People don't stop growing spiritually just because they get older, though. There is still so much to learn no matter how wise you become, so it makes just as much sense to designate funds for senior adult education too. Classes that address issues that may be important to them and group trips to various places in the area can serve as social opportunities that are especially important to older people who live alone or away from their families. Make sure there's room in the budget to serve all your members well, not just young people.

Encourage Intergenerational Relationships

The best way to overcome ageism is to love specific people in different generations. While some of your church activities may be more suitable for a particular age group, it's just as important to have many gatherings to which everyone is invited. Intergenerational book clubs, service projects and classes are your best opportunities to foster caring, understanding relationships among people of all ages.

The church is not obligated to reflect society's norms and hang-ups. You can combat ageism in your organization by learning to recognize it and actively addressing it.