"God must like old people. He keeps creating more of them.” Thoughts about seniors and why so many are ignored by the church

 

“God must like old people. He keeps creating more of them.” So quipped Scott Tolhurst, a former pastor who, over the course of his 48 years in ministry, developed a heart for service to seniors. 

Current demographics prove him right. According to Statistics Canada, seniors are the fastest-growing group in Canada. But it’s not just society that’s greying; so are churches. 

According to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, in 2024 there were more churchgoers older than 65 than younger than 35 in U.S. churches — and likely in Canada, too. 

Despite the rising number of older adults in congregations, many churches are still mainly focused on serving younger people and families. Some want to see that focus change. 

Read about it in my recent Free Press column.