Baby Boomers as Congregational Volunteers in Community Ministry
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3487568 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Terry A Wolfer (0000-0002-3208-4363, University of South Carolina, corresponding author), Terry Wolfer, Dennis Myers, Dennis R Myers (0000-0003-4185-7388, Baylor University), Edward Polson (0000-0002-2997-8155, Baylor University), Bill Bevis (0000-0002-8139-2223), Betsy Bevis (Baylor University) |
| Year | 2017 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 66 |
| Publication date | 2017-04-13 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Religions (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT) |
| DOI | 10.3390/rel8040066 |
| OpenAlex | W2606275605 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 17 |
Religious congregations are a significant setting for volunteerism in the United States, and increasing rates of volunteerism correlate with age. Because of their prolonged health and increased longevity, the large boomer generation represents a potentially significant volunteer resource for congregations. But current research on boomers and congregational life provides little information about this age cohort for engaging them in community ministry. Using a large purposive sample (n = 2883) drawn from Protestant congregations in four regions of the U.S., we explore differences between boomer volunteers and non-volunteers including self-reported motivations, barriers, and outcomes. Despite similarities in most demographics and barriers to volunteering, volunteers and non-volunteers report differing levels of motivation for and outcomes of volunteering. Using service-learning concepts to explore how characteristics of volunteer opportunities influence the faith of volunteers, we found that certain program characteristics indeed correlate with positive outcomes while other characteristics are generally absent. Based on these findings, we provide guidance for both congregation and community agency leaders to increase and enhance opportunities for boomer volunteers
Baby boomers · Christian ministry · Cohort · Demographic economics · Demographics · Faith · Longevity · Political science · Protestantism · Public relations · Social science · Sociology · Theology · Demography · Medicine · Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering · Psychology · Religion, Society, and Development · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Gerontology
Continuity and Adaptation in Aging
A Continuity Theory of Normal Aging
The achievement motive.
Congregational Service-Learning Characteristics and Volunteer Faith Development
Protestant Christian Volunteers in Community Social Service Programs
Next Steps in Community Ministry
Pillars of Faith
Intergenerational and community responsibility
The Scholarship of Engagement
Religious Involvement and Volunteering
Religion and Volunteering Over the Adult Life Course
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,2 |
| Citation span | 2021 - 2021 (1) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |