In this thought-provoking paperback, James M. Houston, a theologian, and Michael Parker, a professor of social work, map resources that Christian churches can use to meet the needs and to tap into the talents of the increasing number of elders. Many pastors with congregations consisting mainly of old people feel overwhelmed and at a loss at what to do. They regret that they never received training in how to minister to seniors. For years all of the energy and attention in ministries has been focused on youth. Now is the time to shift that focus to elders.

Here are some of the possibilities they discuss for both the training of elder ministers and the involvement of elders in ministry:

• providing more courses geared toward gerontology;

• finding ways for church communities to provide a countercultural and prophetic attack on society's ageism and the insulting portrait of elders in the media;

• have churches promote caregiving support, late-life planning, aging-in-place initiatives, and strategies for successful aging;

• giving seniors key leadership positions as mentors and teachers;

• offering home-based online courses for seniors with time on their hands;

• actively challenging myths such as "To be old is to be sick." "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." "The lights may be on but the voltage is low."

• offering guidance and resources for dealing with retirement, unemployment, depression, and loneliness;

• providing training and counseling for clergy as they spend more time with dying elders, life review, and ethical wills.

Equipping older saints to be all they can be will take wise leaders and a committed new cadre of educators who appreciate both being and doing, contemplation and action. The largest challenge is to help older adults to tell their stories (life review), share their wisdom, and dialogue with the younger generations.