NBA’s Older Adult Ministries Initiative Supports NEW Silver Chalice Ministry 

NBA’s collaborative partner, the Older Adult Ministries team, evolved over two years to conceive of and create the Silver Chalice Ministry. Resolution GA-2513, supporting Disciples congregations receiving Silver Chalice designations, was approved nearly unanimously at the denomination’s General Assembly last month.  

Disciples congregations and health and social service nonprofit ministries can earn the designation of Silver Chalice by undertaking a process of enhancing and creating new programs which include older adults in their ministry by recognizing, affirming and celebrating every age. Ministries assess needs and gaps and then choose projects to support older adults through outreach in the community, intergenerational conversation, and growing collaborative relationships. 

Twelve churches piloted the designation project over one year, with the number growing to 18 by year’s end. Silver Chalice affirms the growing number of older adults in the US and in our faith communities, while fighting against the injustice of ageism. 

The NBA-supported Older Adult Ministries team identifies and creates resources to grow and support the Silver Chalice effort, including webinars, workbooks, guides and articles, which can be found at https://www.nbacares.org/olderadults. To learn more you can contact: oam@nbacares.org.