The Leveson Centre for the Study of Ageing,
Spirituality and Social Policy
Practical Theology for Aging
Derrel Watkins (editor), Haworth Pastoral Press, Binghamton,
New York, 2003, 225 pages, ISBN 0–7890–2227–3, £26.94.
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Review by James Woodward (Director, the Leveson Centre)
The Christian religion is a universal phenomenon. However, the theories
and practices that surround Christianity are hugely diverse, shaped
by context, culture and experience. So it is interesting to note that
while the Christian religion continues to experience significant decline
in Europe, it is still a significant force in both North and South
America, as indeed in Africa. This edited collection of essays reflects
the vibrancy and energy of church life in North America and its commitment
to exploring what theologies might best help us to understand the
nature of the ageing process and to respond pastorally to older people.
The volume strengthens the Haworth Pastoral Press’s innovative
series of books in this field. This commitment to older people stands
in sharp contrast to the present situation in British church life,
where older people are largely marginalised or taken for granted.
There are fourteen essays, written by educators and practitioners
in the field of practical theology. This field covers many specialisations
in the USA, such as specific disciplines of pastoral care, pastoral
psychology and counselling, and the church’s ministry and outreach
to particular groups like older people. It is important to note that
the lines between these ministries are often blurred and that there
is no coherent theoretical foundation that supports the study of the
field as a whole. Indeed these ‘practical’ disciplines depend
more upon information derived from non-theological sources than from
theology. Watkins hopes to redress this omission by providing essays
which are theologically based, and from this base offer guidelines
for practice.
The first two chapters honour a pioneer in the field of gerontology
(Barbara Stancil) who worked hard to encourage churches to honour
the place of older people within congregations and especially in the
understanding of the expression of sexuality and intimacy for older
people. Chapters three, four and five offer some of the basic theological
concepts out of which a practical theology might be more thoroughly
developed. These chapters look at some of the ultimate questions that
older people ask about the meaning and purpose of their lives, especially
in relation to pain and suffering. There is a chapter on the biblical
foundations for a practical theology of ageing, with particular emphasis
on Alzheimer’s disease. One of the writers develops a conceptual
framework for including persons not generally considered in need of
spiritual care. There are chapters on rehabilitation, healing and
wholeness; education; preaching and worship. Questions of spiritual
formation, human identity, creativity and fulfilment are also explored
in the latter part of the book. The final chapter addresses the reality
that the older generation can be easily overlooked by church and community
planners and offers a persuasive set of arguments for the inclusion
of older people as a source of value and wisdom.
Watkins is to be commended for drawing together a stimulating collection
of essays which were all thought-provoking and helpful in relation
to both theory and practice. The writing is (perhaps inevitably?)
uneven and the editor might have exercised some measure of influence
over some of the expression of thought, and over repetition and inter-relationships
between the essays. The volume lacks a comprehensive bibliography
and certainly would have benefited from an index.
Finally, in terms of how these essays might be used, some pointers
for further thought and reflection at the end of each of the chapters
would have been helpful for students and practitioners alike.
A note of caution is worth articulating at this point. It might have
been useful in this theological text to be honest about the ways in
which religion might be destructive to human well-being. What are
the legitimate objections to belief as it shapes an individual’s
self-image and sense of destiny, especially in old age? Is religion
enabling of a fundamental and healthy self-love? Does religion help
older people cope with diminishment, change and death? While there
is plenty of research to suggest that religion can have a positive
contributing influence on well-being it might have been useful for
further research to reflect upon a distinction between good religion
and bad religion. Might we learn from older people themselves and
their experiences of community, faith and pilgrimage, as we gain a
greater sense of the limitations and possibilities of religion?
However, the success of the writing in this book lies in its ability
to stimulate the reader into further thought and action. For those
of us who work in the field of the care of older people, these essays
encourage us to consider our understanding of the spiritual and religious
dimensions of ageing as key areas for growth and wholeness. Indeed,
it may be that these non-physical dimensions of ageing have much more
significance than other aspects which are often given more consideration.
Those working with particular theological questions and insights could
profitably co-operate with others in a re-visioning of ageing that
tackles such fundamental questions as: the significance of life; the
valuing of dependence; the nature of time and one’s life story;
the place of change and loss; the condition of temporality; the acceptance
of mortality; and the high value we place upon work and activity for
our identity. Is it possible to harvest authentic, shared spiritual
experience which enables those engaged in the process of ageing to
articulate its questions and impossibilities in a way which is liberating
and informative for care? Those wary of religion might look at some
of this material to see how it tackles some of this theological work.
Despite its decline in Europe there seems to be little doubt that
theology has a legitimate place in both our understanding of the nature
of ageing and our practical responses to it.
James Woodward (Director, the Leveson Centre)
originally published in Age and Ageing
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