Care Home Ministry Goes Big in Aberdeen!

We as a church consider reaching out to the community key to fulfilling our calling. Our pastor Iain Duthie was a GP for many years and attended numerous patients in care homes. He recognised a great need for spiritual input there, and being aware of the author’s experience in ministry to the elderly, a conversation was had in early 2024 as to how King’s might reach out to meet this need.

Enquiries with the city’s care homes rapidly followed, and in July 2024 the ministry commenced into 16 care homes across the city. These 16 were found to have zero, or minimal spiritual input. We were shocked at this finding, but delighted to find an open-ness to our involvement in all of these homes. Many prayers had gone up that doors would be opened, and the Lord did not disappoint us!

A ministry based upon solid biblical principles

As disciples of Christ, we are called to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.” (Mark 16:15) This calling is not only for the young or the able-bodied, but for the old and less able too. The young and the able-bodied are visible, relatively easy to reach and can even come to us, but the old and less able are often invisible to us, overlooked and disregarded, not just as a generation, but as a field ripe for spiritual harvest!

There was a time when the elderly were revered and respected for their stability and wise counsel. In Job 12:12 we read …”so with old age is wisdom, and with length of days, understanding.” However, in this rapidly-changing technological society, the focus is essentially upon the young, leaving many senior citizens feeling disenfranchised from society, useless and lacking in purpose. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, the Apostle Paul writes … “we urge you, brothers … encourage the fainthearted, help the weak.” This categorisation includes our older generation.

Aging in the Bible is said to be a sign of experience. The Lord promises His continued love and concern for the elderly… “I will be your God throughout your lifetime … until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” (Isaiah 46:4) But who are to be God’s messengers and facilitators of this promise on earth? Who are to be His hands, feet, mouth, ears and eyes? It is we, Christ’s disciples, and what a privilege that is!

Seeking to be an all-inclusive and universally caring church, we considered it only right that we do our part to see our senior members of society “flourish … and bear fruit in old age.” (Psalm 92:13-14) Whether the seeker or supplicant be 9 or 90, it matters not to the Lord, He desires to give abundant life to all.

A ministry focused on the meeting of needs

King’s Church Care Home Ministry has so far achieved remarkable success and built some great relationships with both residents and staff, but most important, people are finding Jesus as their Saviour. Others, whose faith has lapsed are finding their faith renewed. All glory to God!

Our approach is one which has proved particularly attractive to the care homes, that being the offering of a ‘Songs of Praise’ type event comprising a selection of music relevant to the generation combined with uncomplicated evangelism. Our ‘Songs of Praise’ typically lasts 45-60 minutes, followed by a time of fellowship and broader relaxed engagement with the residents. Where circumstances permit, pastoral room visits to those confined to their beds can bring immense blessing.

For each visit there is a leader assigned along with a keyboard and/or guitar player to accompany the singing. (Backing tracks can be sourced off YouTube if live accompaniment is not available). All volunteers are expected to get alongside and engage with the residents and staff as much as possible, as for the residents, this may be the only truly caring voice they hear, or ear that will take the time to really listen.

We always aim for the maximum possible involvement of the residents and use a portable PA system to ensure the gospel is heard as many have limited hearing. The use of a cordless microphone also provides great flexibility, allowing the leader to move around the room and engage more personally.

A ministry built upon genuine engagement

Quality engagement is crucial to the successful communication and reception of the Gospel, so our team members seek to speak clearly and with some animation to best hold the attention of the residents. Positive, open body language and good eye contact is also very important. Heads down, moans and even distracted staff are a reasonable indication that there is too much talking! The attention span of those with dementia can be very short, so sharing the gospel in 1-2 minute ‘soundbites’ is most effective. We would rarely have more than 3 or 4 minutes of uninterrupted spoken word in any part of our services and certainly not lengthy or complex prayers. The Gospel is intrinsically simple, so we should always try and keep it that way.

When engaging one to one with an individual, it is always best to do so at the same physical level face to face and not overbear. If there is confusion over place or circumstances, best not to correct, but rather empathise and re-assure. When there is little apparent awareness in the individual, offer a smile and always with direct, but gentle eye contact. This will often engender a smile in return and some recognition from what seemed like blankness. Also, don’t be afraid to gently hold a hand or place a hand lightly on an arm. A caring touch can mean so much. However, in all our engagement, may the beauty and love of Jesus be seen in us!

A ministry built upon the power of music

It is well proven that music is a powerful and effective stimulus and communication medium for those with dementia or without. When words don’t reach or communicate, music can. We also take heart that what our words might conceal, the Spirit can reveal!

In addition to the utilisation of well-known hymns, we include popular gospel songs of the 50s and 60s and add in a couple of children’s action choruses from that same era. This age-appropriate song selection makes our connection and outcomes much more meaningful and enjoyable for the residents. For those with dementia, an old hymn recalled can be more heart changing and uplifting than any amount of preaching.

We use bespoke large print song sheets produced in-house. A laptop connected in to the large screen TV often found in the care home lounges is also an option to provide song lyrics and anything else.

When preparing one’s order of service, it is not ideal to simply use the contemporary worship songs used in one’s regular church worship. There will undoubtedly be some spiritual benefit gained through these, but who are we really serving here? We may be in our comfort zone, but is our audience able to readily identify with them or even sing them? Ministry albeit enthusiastic, without an appreciation of where our audience is at, will bear limited fruit and will likely not engender much enthusiasm for one’s return! We must be sensitive to the needs and tastes of our seniors and entirely tailor our ministry to suit them.

A ministry enhanced by teddy bears!

A little additional ministry we offer is one of teddy ‘care’ bears! We could not help but be aware of care home residents who are anxious, lonely, forlorn and lacking in motivation. These were once busy people who had lives full of family, work and other responsibilities. They were mobile, free to act and interact as they wished, but now in care are greatly restricted, no longer with responsibilities, family or pets around them, and saddest of all, with little apparent remaining purpose.

We found that the gift of a teddy ‘care’ bear helps to address many of these emotional and physical ‘losses’. In this little bear is found company, comfort, a calming influence and a measure of purpose – something to focus upon beyond themselves, to embrace and care for. We have now gifted around 120 bears in a targeted way to those with the greatest need and what joy they have brought!

A ministry which can achieve a lot with a little

By the time this piece is published, in its first full year of existence, the ministry will have completed around 175 care home visits and distributed around 2500 pieces of Christian literature. We have the privilege of ministering to around 500 different souls every month. This has not been by the mobilisation of many, but by the dedication and commitment of a relative few who feel compelled by love to serve in this way.

Our care home visits almost exclusively take place on weekday mid-afternoons as this has proved to best suit the care homes and its residents. Ministry is not just a Sunday activity! Energetic retirees, students, parents at home and part-time or shift workers are all potential ministry recruits when others are unavailable.

The potential for ministry amongst church members out with the recognised worship or leadership team is often underestimated, and can be a marvellous means of discovering and releasing spiritual gifts. This has been our experience, and it has been wonderful to see our volunteers flourish as they have sought to help others flourish.

A ministry built upon people who are prepared to stretch themselves

It is a great privilege and responsibility to be given access into care homes, so this is a ministry which demands a gentle approach, not over-zealous bible-bashing. Most of all, it requires Christian individuals with a real heart for the elderly, their wellbeing and ultimately, their salvation! We therefor regularly use a simple responsive prayer for salvation with remarkable spiritual success.

In terms of our demeanour, we are representing a wonderful life-giving Lord, so we as his ‘channels’ must demonstrate a life which is joyful and alive. We must surely be energetic and engaging when we have the greatest of all news to share!

We must be willing to step out of our comfort zone for Jesus’ sake. Be encouraged and have no fear, as it is not in our own strength we go, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6) “…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)

A ministry built upon three spiritual essentials

All we do must be rooted in Christ, rooted in prayer and enlightened and empowered by the Holy Spirit. In this special ministry, like all others …“unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it.” Psalm 127:1. What joy you will find and joy you can bring in this ministry with the right spirit and motivation!

All said, the challenge for the church, is that the efforts put in to care home ministry often go unrecognised, and rarely contribute to increased church attendance or giving. The ministry can subsequently be given low priority within church life. An ‘out of sight, out of mind’ situation is all too common and the challenge is to reach out sacrificially beyond the obvious as Jesus did. The stark reality for our seniors is that for them, time is short to find Christ and the hope of heaven. Eternal destinies are at stake!

This is not intended to be an instructional piece, but rather a simple ‘snapshot’ of the approach and methodology we at King’s have found to be appreciated and fruitful , with a few suggestions made from the author’s own current and previous experience.

Finally, be aware that strict safeguarding policies apply in this field of ministry, so please refer to these as they apply within your locality and obtain the necessary clearance before proceeding.

God bless you in your endeavours for the Lord!

Martin Neale
King’s Church Care Home Ministry Lead

King’s Church website link