Mr Dabney, in the third pew, may not be asleep.
“I'm just resting my eyes.“
This is not always a cover-up for falling asleep. As congregations age, clergy and staff need to be more aware of age-related health issues.
The prevalence of vision impairment doubles between the age groups of 55-64 year olds and those 65+. Also, nearly one third of adults 55+ suffers from hearing impairment. And, men 55-64 are affected at twice the rate of women.
Think about these simple facts in the context of your congregation and ask yourself how this affects your organization. From your physical facility to your music choice, from bulletin designs to ministry opportunities - an aging congrgation impacts you.
The latest National Health Statistics Report from the Center for Disease Control provides fascinating data on everything from chronic diseases to physical impairments to health-related behavior. Data are broken down by age braket, sex, race, poverty level and other useful criteria.
For more illuminating statistics that can provide insights into your congregation's needs,
Click for National Health Statistics Report