Helpful Resources (External links open a new browser window)

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Fresh Horizons Promotional Flyer (PDF 2372.9Kb) Use this printable colour brochure to promote the Fresh Horizons Ministry in your church or community. Designed as 2 A4 pages to be printed back to back and then folded twice. Click here to open the flyer in a new window for printing or download. hide description

Musical Chairs (DVD) One man's quest to find meaning in the second half of life. A 10 minute film is being used as a discussion starter in venues such as churches, small groups, university classrooms and senior living communities. This DVD will evoke lively discussion on the topic of purpose in the second half of life which will challenge the dominant paradigm in an entertaining yet provocative manner. This entertaining film invites you to consider just what it means to have a compelling vision for the second half of life. It will make you laugh, cry, and ask some hard questions about purpose and meaning in the second half of life. A discussion guide is included in interactive format on the DVD and also in hard copy as a DVD insert. DVDs are best ordered via email if located outside of USA. See the Musical Chairs The Movie website for more details. hide description

Christian Association Serving Adult Ministries (CASA) CASA is a US based training and equipping source for the Church's ministry to midlife and beyond age men and women, conducting leadership conferences, training events, retreats, and Life Celebration events. The CASA Network brings together an array of leaders within the field of 50+ ministry to inspire and equip the Church for ministry to and through adults in life's second half. See the Christian Association Serving Adult Ministries website for more detail including video, audio and print resources, good ideas and articles. hide description

Growing Through Grief (audio CD) About Tomorrow is a 66 minute programme designed for those making their way through the first few months after a loss of a loved one. For pastors, counsellors, and others dealing with people in bereavement, this CD is a wonderful resource to be able to offer to those dealing with grief. It offers practical, caring help for the grieving process and features interviews with more than 20 people in an easy-to-listen-to format; candid comments from real people who have suffered the loss of a loved one; honest and open conversations that are designed to help the listener understand that their feelings are normal, that others have shared the same thoughts and emotions, and that they will get better. CDs are best ordered via email if located outside of USA. See the Growing Through Grief website for more detail, including audio samples, content topics and other resources. hide description

Second Wind Network Second Wind Network is a network of mission agencies, churches, and individuals that encourages Aussie believers in their 40s, 50s and 60s, to catch their 'second wind' and to use it significantly for the extension of God's kingdom. It provides information, inspiration, challenge and easy access to pathways for mission involvement - whether short or long term or as a second career. Second Wind Network helps people connect with a variety of mission opportunities.hide description

Baptist Union of Victoria The Seniors Ministry of the Baptist Union of Victoria have two freely available Bible Study series that are suitable for use by individuals or small groups. They may be downloaded from the Baptist Union of Victoria web site or via their direct links below: Download: Never too Old! (PDF - 684 Kb) Download: Transitioning to Retirement (PDF - 549 Kb) hide description

Inner Faith Travel Inner Faith Travel is a Christian company based on the Gold Coast, Australia and specializes in arranging group travel to Israel and the Bible lands, missionary groups and church history study groups. They tailor make tours for individuals or groups to overseas conferences and mission locations within Asia, Africa, North and South America. Visit the Inner Faith Travel website for further information, destinations, tour itineraries etc. hide description

Churches of Christ Care Churches of Christ Care (CARE) is a not-for-profit division of Churches of Christ in Queensland with which the Caloundra Church of Christ and their Fresh Horizons Ministry is associated. CARE is a leading provider of early childhood, child protection, affordable housing, retirement living and aged care services in Queensland. CARE is supportive of the Fresh Horizons ministry and it encourages volunteers and supporting ministries that will benefit its clients. CARE proudly support in excess of 22,000 clients annually in urban, rural and remote localities. CARE's 137 services are made possible with the support of more than 2300 staff, over 600 volunteers, 513 foster carers and 239 in-home and family day carers. Visit the Churches of Christ CARE web site for further information. hide description

Suggested Reading List

Click here for a printable version of this book list. PDF 99 Kb - (opens in new window)
Those interested in working with people in life's 2nd half will find the following books helpful. Most books can be sourced by searching Google Books or the websites of online book stores such as Amazon, Book Depository (with free delivery from UK) or Koorong. Most sites include reader reviews and descriptions.

Secular Books:

• Age Wave by Ken Dychtwald.
• Boomer Nation by Steve Gillon.
• Generations at Work by Ron Zempke.
• Megatrends for Women by Patricia Aburdene & John Naisbitt.
• New Passages: Mapping Your Life Across Time by Gail Sheehy.
• Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes by William Bridges.
• Understanding Men's Passages by Gail Sheehy.

Christian Books:

• As Iron Sharpens Iron: Building Character in a Mentoring Relationship by Howard & William Hendricks.
• As Our Years Increase: Loving, Caring, Preparing: A Guide by Tim Stafford.
• Baby Boomers and Beyond: Tapping the Ministry Talents and Passions of Adults over 50 by Amy Hanson. (New Release - highly recommended)
• Catch the Age Wave: A Handbook for Effective Ministry with Senior Citizens by Win and Charles Arn.
• Celebrating Retirement by Mary Hathaway (a pictorial gift book).
• Complete Guide to Caring for Aging Loved Ones by Focus on the Family.
• Finishing Well: What People Who Really Live Do Differently by Bob Buford.
• Futuring: Leading Your Church into Tomorrow by Samuel R.Chand & Cecil Murphey.
• Generation Next: What You Need to Know About Today's Youth by George Barna.
• Grandparenting: The Agony & The Ecstasy by Jay Kesler.
• Halftime: Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance by Bob Buford.
• One Church Four Generations: Understanding and Reaching All Ages in Your Church by Gary L. Mclntosh
• Seasons of the Spirit: Preparing for the Best Half of Life's Journey by Ward Tanneberg & Stephen Taylor.
• Stuck in Halftime: Reinvesting Your One & Only Life by Bob Buford.
• The Disillusioned Christian by Ken Abraham.
• The Pastor's Guide to Personal Spiritual Formation by Multiple Authors.
• Working the Gray Zone by Charles Oaks.

My Story

My Story was an aspect introduced into the program of the 2009 Sunshine Coast Senior's Convention. It involved various individuals sharing some of life's experiences and what they were doing in the second half of their lives in church ministry or community service. It proved to be a helpful, encouraging and interesting segment.

Some people have shared their story with us - like the latest one below:

Read more stories from other people here.

We'd like to include your story here as well.
Why not email it to us at
or use this form to tell us what you are doing in the second half of your life.

May these personal experiences and ministry examples give you encouragement and further ideas for active involvement within your church and local community.