3 Ways to Minister to the Sandwich Generation
Forty-four percent of Americans are a part of the “Sandwich Generation” phenomenon. This generation comprises those that have care giving responsibilities for both children and aging parents. This generation consists of any person or family that takes care of both parents and any form of children.
Here are three keys to understanding them and three ministry opportunities for your church.
1. They are overextended in life
The cost of caring for two generations can be staggering. They have children that they are providing for and parents that have needs.
Ministry opportunity: The church can provide “doctor days” or “kids day out” where they can take the elderly to the doctor or watch the children for a day. A church should program with the “sandwich” generation in mind. A few days like this throughout the year can provide great relief for those in the Sandwich Generation.
2. They are flexible
Recently I was talking to a person in the Sandwich generation. We were in a waiting room at a doctor’s office where she had brought her mother. In the middle of the conversation she reached into her pocket for something and a child’s toy fell out. That morning she had been watching her grandchildren. This epitomizes those in this generation. They switch gears quickly and have their hands in multiple generations throughout each day.
Ministry opportunity: Your church should seize on their flexibility and plug them into flexible ministries that allow them to serve. Because so many demands are placed on people in this generation they need ministries which allow them to be flexible with time and schedules. Key point: Don’t neglect the people in this generation, but do temper expectations.
3. They are close to losing their identities
In the midst of taking care of various generations, they often neglect to take care of themselves. They play the role of parent, grandparent, and child. One person in this generation recently told me that “what exhausts us (in the sandwich generation) is that we lose ‘me.’” What she was saying is that she does not have time to do things for herself anymore.
Ministry opportunity: The Bible says that we should give honor where honor is due. The people in this generation deserve great honor. They provide examples of how to honor their parents and they provide help to their children. They are modern day heroes because of the extra responsibility that they chose to take on. The church should do special things to honor these members throughout the year. One church I worked with had a monthly “kingdom service award” where they would recognize people like mentioned above with a spa treat. This was both encouraging and refreshing.
Becoming part of the Sandwich Generation can happen in a moment. Recently I knew of a woman that was in the middle of planning her daughter’s wedding. While she was out with her daughter trying on dresses, she got a call form her husband. They had just gotten news that his mother had just had a stroke. Her mother was now going to move in with them and be provided care. Adjusting to the Sandwich generation can be difficult and happen quickly, but with the help of your church, you can help your members remain sane in the midst of the Sandwich Generation.
Ken Gosnell is the lead pastor for a new church work in the DC Metro area. You can contact Ken at Kenspeaks@gmail.com
- Share this:
-
Blink
-
Del.icio.us
-
Digg
-
Furl
-
Simpy
-
Spurl
-
Y! MyWeb