February 1-19, 2027
Teaching and learning methods that enhance engagement in, and ownership of, the learning process are as important for older adults as they are for all ages. Applying to our own contexts the principles for older adult ministry and research on ways older adults engage with the world and form faith can shape ministry for these times. Exploring a variety of ways to teach and learn and examining their application to, and needed adaptations for, older adults can increase the effectiveness of the older adult ministries in which we engage.
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Describe, and engage older adults (60 +) in, a variety of ways to encounter and explore topics, ideas and learning contexts
- Identify and apply to teaching practice differences between “mature (mid-50 - mid-70)” and “older (mid-70 +) adults”
- Discuss and apply to older adult ministry principles of faith formation for older adults
- Prepare and lead a lesson plan for teaching older adults, and reflect on their own teaching practice
- Find biblical texts on aging and explore them for wisdom for forming faith
Topics include:
- Faith Formation and Older Adults and Big Picture Principles and Key Teaching Skills
- Teaching Methodology and Principles Applied and Teaching for Community
- Micro-teaching sessions
Participants will be divided into groups and lead a micro-teaching session during the final two days of the course. These sessions are planned for Thursday, February 18 and Friday, February 19 (11:15 AM- 1:00 PM) All times are ET. The number of micro-teaching groups (3 to a group) will depend on course enrollment.
Location
Online
Facilitator
Joyce MacKichan Walker served Nassau Presbyterian Church as Director of Christian Education and then, following ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, as Minister of Education and Mission until her retirement in July 2018. A graduate of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (now Union Presbyterian Seminary) in Richmond, VA, Joyce is a Certified Christian Educator who has served the larger church as a keynote speaker and workshop leader. She most recently served as keynoter for the 2022 POAMN (Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network) Leadership Conference, and contributed to “Guiding Principles for Older Adult Ministry” to the Expressions of Older Adult Ministry project (
linked here).
Schedule
Much of the learning activities take place on your own, reading and responding to prompts posted on the course site. All reading materials and videos will be available online. Participants must be comfortable using technology, as this course is hosted online though the course site (Moodle).
Live sessions via Zoom will take place on the following dates from 11:15 AM – 1:00 PM:
Standard class sessions will take place on February 1, 4, 8, and 11 (Mondays and Thursdays)
Presentations of final projects will take place on February 18 and 19 (Thursday and Friday)
Attendance is mandatory for all Zoom sessions. They will not be recorded.
Program Fee
The program fee is $265, which includes a $50 nonrefundable deposit.
An early bird discount of $30 is available until October 30, 2026.
All balances are due one month prior to your first session. Cancellations must be received at least two weeks before your first session to receive a refund of the program fee minus the deposit.
Additional Information
This course is one of the four core courses of the Certificate of Older Adult Ministry. Registration is open to everyone, even if you are not wanting to pursue the certificate. Completion of all assignments is required for credit for the certificate.
Contact
