Pastor to Baby Boomers
Sandra Osborne - Prime Time Pastor - Calgary, AB
When Bow Valley Christian Church in Calgary, AB looked around and realized they probably had over 100 people in the age demographic of 60+, it made sense to dedicate a staff person to that particular area.
Sandra Osborne had been doing some staff coaching at the church and so was familiar with the church community, and was interested in exploring how these baby boomers could participate in the mission of God and the community life of the church.
Baby boomers are unlike other generations.
And there is a lot of them!
This age group tends to be independent, hard working, self-assured, and goal-centric.
They’re not the “typical seniors” in that they are not really interested in conventional senior ministries.
Plus, they often have financial resources, energy and ambition, and a ton of experience - professionally and spiritually.
Lots of people over 60 are already serving in their church and community.
Sandra sees her role as highlighting people’s involvement - whether it’s the refugee sponsorship team or the street ministry team or offering leadership to various ministries.
The first year of Sandra’s job was spent rallying the troops and providing space and time for connection.
Especially after Covid, people needed to get reacquainted and meet new people that had joined the church.
Supper clubs with a prayer time was a gentle introduction for small groups of people to meet each other and spiritually encourage one another.
Sandra also introduced the idea of “pop-up” events.
It might a Christian theatre company or a hike in Kananaskis or some other outing.
It’s basically a chance for people to suggest an idea and cast an open invitation to the rest of the group.
Pickle ball has also been a way to connect with each other and to provide a non-threatening entry into the church and faith community.
Bow Valley Christian has a gym and there’s space for 3 pickle ball courts!
It’s an easy way to invite friends or relatives who are not familiar with faith but perhaps interested.
This coming fall, they plan to do a course on grandparenting - thinking about spiritual legacy and intentional grandparenting.
Early retirement is a major transition and an ideal time to prayerfully consider God’s invitation at this stage of life.
Especially considering children and youth and the world in which they are growing up, having grandparents who pray and can offer wisdom, guidance, and relationship is such a gift.
Parents and children need this generation!
As Prime Time Pastor, Sandra loves the sense of possibility for this age group.
There’s spiritual imagination involved as she accompanies and guides people over 60 into deeper relationship with each other, their neighbours, and God.
She encourages people at this stage to think about who they are, what gifts they bring, and what breaks their heart - and then to live into that.
To take a personal inventory and to know themselves - who they have become over the years.
It’s time for a new vocation and calling.
It may feel a bit like graduating from high school and wondering what’s next!
This is the time for spiritual imagination and prayerful creativity -
Where might God be calling me?
What is God inviting me into now?
How does God want me to participate him in the mission of God?
Photo creds: Ben Hershey (Unsplash)
