Life Stages

Let's assume arbitrarily that our life span is 100 years or 5 twenty year stages.  Childhood from Birth to Adulthood 20 years, Young Adults from age 20 to 40, Middle Aged Adults from 40 to 60, Mature Adults from age 60 to 80, and Older Adults from age 80 to death.  

The needs and desires of each stage of development are different. As unique individuals, born with certain talents and propensities, our abilities will vary throughout the stages of life.

I am about to enter my last stage of life, being 79 going on 80, so my faculty's may have begun to fail me on occasion but I feel competent to express my opinion on a matter of great concern to
me.

The church that I have attended for 25 years has slowly declined to having a quarter time priest.  Two other priests and a Deacon voluntarily offer their services so we are able to have communion every Sunday.  

Which group is the most important to reach if you want to influence all the groups?  Which group is the most likely to reach mature decisions?  Which group is at the top of their game, so to speak?
My vote would be cast on the Middle Aged Adults 40 to 60 years of age.  Why? The Young Adults, ages 20 to 40 are busily engaged in establishing their working lives, raising their children, and possibly caring for ageing parents.  Children are busy growing up.  They can be influenced at a young age if their busy parents are so inclined.  If not, the seed of religion is not planted.  If you want to increase your influence look to those who are wondering what their life will be like when their children are grown.  

So many people seem to think that we can revive our churches by providing programs that appeal to children.  Instead of placing our focus on the young why don't we place our focus on an older group of people?  Instead of ignoring the needs of those who are growing older why not provide meaningful programs for the faithful?

Are we so enamored of youth that we ignore four stages of growth?