고령화 사회에서의 교회 노인교육 활성화 방안

The Korean Church should help the elderly face their last stage of life with a positive attitude, to bear fruits of a meaningful life, and give glory to God. In order to achieve this goal, the church's education for the elderly, needs to be developed and revitalized to meet their needs. It is necessary to develop and vitalize the church education for seniors, so it will be suitable for their happiness both concretely and practically. This study examines the concept and present condition of the church's senior education program on the basis of existing researches by inquiring into literature, and designed plans for vitalizing the church's senior education through qualitative case studies. The plans for vitalizing church's education for the aged, suggested by this study are as follows. First, is the realization of a need for a mission and education for the elderly. Second, programs are needed to support communication between the elderly and their family. Third, support unofficial networks. Fourth, is the need for continuous self?developmental education to help prepare for death. Fifth, developing a volunteer program for seniors in the church, for good health management, and create a feeling of involvement. Sixth, the development of church educational programs regarding creating jobs for the senior citizens. Seventh, is the development of educational programs regarding spiritual information. Various elements such as the radical collapse of the traditional supporting system of the family, compared to the strengthening of the national welfare policy for the elderly, the lack of understanding of Korean society for the education of the elderly, and the rapid increase of the elderly are reviewed. It is predicted that the role and the function of the church's education for the elderly will be expanded more than before. Therefore, the Korean church must strive to vitalize the church's education for the elderly.