A study on activation of the ministry for the aged: A study based on the Pohang Institution for the aged

Abstract

Due to the continuous developments of medical science, the life expectancy of human life has lengthened. Simultaneously, the number of the aged is increasing every year. Thus, it is surely necessary for us to have an interest in the aged who will be amounted to 20-25 percentages of total population in the future. In connection with these social conditions, the Church also will be confronted with those conditions gradually. Especially, the problems of the aged in churches are anticipated to become a subject of discussion in the pastoral aspect. In this circumstantial judgement, the purpose of this study is to propose the direction and method of the aged pastorate in churches to prepare coming the aged era. For this aim, this study contains the following contents. First, the present states and problems of the aged pastorate will be examined comprehensively. Second, the merits and demerits in the existing the aged pastorate will be found by the on-the-spot investigation of the church concerned. And finally, direction and method for the improvement of the aged pastorate will be suggested. Followings are findings of this study. First, the first thing in point of activating for the aged pastorate is to have the exclusive religious worker for the aged pastorate. The exclusive religious worker for the aged pastorate who has specialized in social welfare or gerontology will be more preferred. If it is impossible to find that person, any exclusive religious worker for the aged pastorate ought to take an interest in the aged pastorate, has an ability to carry out these pastoral duties, and make every effort for development of the aged pastorate. And now all the senior citizens faculty in churches is managed by the voluntary laity. So it is also another alternative for the aged pastorate to apply them. In case of that, the voluntary laity should be educated newly and then utilized as the professional. Second, the educational programs for the aged to spend meaningly the remaining years of one's life is required positively in the current churches. As there are the task and role in every phase of life, it is not an exception in case for the aged. With attain one's old age, it is necessary to find his suitable works. In accordance with this effort, churches must let them to know what is right and suitable work by the religious guidance and educational consideration. Third, cooperation between the aged pastorates should be achieved through the activation of combined works. The local consociation of senior citizens faculty is needed importantly more than the national consociation of that. Because the local consociation is not only easy to put into effect an united event but also has the advantages of exchange such as lecture, educational programs, and volunteers. Fourth, the problem of facilities in the aged pastorate is one of the tasks which have to be settled. It is surely necessary to have facilities suitable to the aged. And those facilities should be paid attention to health of the aged. In conclusion, this study argues that the aged pastorate is the important pastoral policy in the view of the aged welfare that should take precedence over all other things in coming 21st century. In the aging period, it seems that the aged pastorate is considered the order of the Lord and task of churches. In order to activate the aged pastorate through the senior citizens faculty, Korean churches have to systematize upbringing of professional for the aged pastorate. Furthermore, it is urgent to develop substantial educational programs and materials positively. And for effective the aged pastorate, not only united system between churches and exclusive religious works but also the improvement of the facilities should be developed.