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Singles Seeking the Kingdom

Singles Seeking the Kingdom. Brothers & Sisters in Christ. Page 14 in Jesus People Sing Songbook. Why a Ministry to Single Adults. 50% of the adult population in the US is single That’s over 90 million Americans 40% of these Americans are unchurched. The Field’s are Ripe for Harvest.

JasminFlorian
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Singles Seeking the Kingdom

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  1. Singles Seeking the Kingdom

  2. Brothers & Sisters in Christ Page 14 in Jesus People Sing Songbook

  3. Why a Ministry to Single Adults • 50% of the adult population in the US is single • That’s over 90 million Americans • 40% of these Americans are unchurched

  4. The Field’s are Ripe for Harvest US Single Adult Census Numbers (Estimated as of 2005)

  5. Who is going to reach those Thousands in your backyard • You have the resources right here --- • A building • Materials • Speakers • Knowledge of the Word

  6. Taking up the Torch of Single Adult Ministry • Who is responsible to do single’s ministry? • How do we do single’s ministry? • The international mission and national multiethnic mission endeavors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod have been successful through use of intentional strategies. The task force urges wider use of these strategies in North America, not just among immigrants but among the unchurched culture of our communities. They are strategies for every congregation and every individual.

  7. “To be in mission is to use proven mission strategies.” • These have revolved around four components: • Learn the culture • Learn the language • Train the leaders • Grow the mission.

  8. Step 1: Learn the culture: WHY WOULD ANYONE BE SINGLE...? • Some may be single by circumstance • a. Such as those who have not found a mate • b. Such as those who are divorced, perhaps through no fault of their own • c. Such as those who are widowed, suffering the loss of their spouse • d. Such as those too young to marry, or too sick, etc.

  9. Step 1: Learn the culture: WHY WOULD ANYONE BE SINGLE...? • Some may be single by choice • a. Perhaps they prefer the single life on its own merits • b. Perhaps they have chosen to remain single for other reasons • 1) Jesus said some would be single for the sake of the kingdom - cf. Mt 19:11-12 • 2) Paul considered his singleness a "gift from God" - cf 1 Co 7:7-8 • c) Some may simply not be drawn toward the opposite sex

  10. Step 1: Learn the culture: WHY WOULD ANYONE BE SINGLE...? • Sometimes, circumstances make being single the best choice • a. As in times of persecution - cf. 1 Co 7:25-28 • b. Or in times of war, tragedies, etc. • With so many possible reasons, we should be careful not to presume why one is singleand to not idolize marriage and family to the exclusion of single adults

  11. Step 1: Learn the Culture – Characteristics of Today’s Single Adult • is concerned about terrorism and safety, • is used to having instant access to everything; • takes his world with him - using wireless laptops, pda's, cell phones, MP3 players…; • increasingly isolate himself - everything comes right to them thru the television, computers, and delivery services; • uses online dating and matchmaking services to connect with potential mates; and lives in a time of fast paced continuous change.

  12. Step 1: Culture of LC-MS – How to exclude single adults • Have bible studies that are only geared toward special interest groups. (ie Mom & Me, Couples Bible Studies, Family Bible Study). • Only List Family Ministry on Websites (Most single adults do not consider themselves a “family” and don’t know to look under family ministry.) • We celebrate Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day, Grandparent’s day, Wedding Anniversaries – where is the day for Single Adults? • Only use “Family” examples in sermons • Not elect or appoint single adults to committees, boards, and volunteer positions. • Have special policies and practices that isolate single adults. • Only communicate with single adults when it is “PC” to do so.

  13. Step 2: Learn the Language • Look at the following words (What did they mean 10 years ago, 20 years ago,) • Boot Up • Hook Up • PDA • Gay • Ways of communicating (message boards, chatrooms, email, electronic newsletters)

  14. So how do we adapt our culture? • Examine our policies, our communications, our fears, and our congregations – where can we include single adults. (How can we do better?) 43 SAMS – Rev. Terry Dittmer. • Talk to single adults – seek out people who seem to be alone. • Use LSA to get your single adults connected with others in single ministry and to get training on forming single’s groups.

  15. Step 3: Train the Leaders - Lutheran Singles Association (LSA) • Annual National Events (where Leaders can connect and get training) • The Soloist Quarterly Newsletter • Website • Single Adult Ministry Sunday (2nd Sunday in October) • Promote District Events • Educate professional church workers on how they can be in mission to single adults.

  16. Simple things Pastors/Congregations can do • Celebrate Single Adult Ministry Sunday • Shake hands with people when they leave your congregation (or when they come in) • Post flyers and put items in the bulletin for single adults that may come to your congregation – don’t toss them. • Use the resources available – Resource List

  17. Step 4: Grow the Mission • Promote the formation of Single’s Groups in Districts & Congregations

  18. Steps to Forming a Single’s Group • Assess the community • What activities groups already exist? • What is working in your community? • Asses the Congregation • Who are the single adults? • What would be your reporting requirements? • What Financing is available? • What kind of pastoral, board, staff support is available?

  19. Steps to Forming a Single’s Group • Get training for your leaders • Watch Leadership Videos • Read books on forming single’s groups • Hold your first organizational meeting • Decide when you want to meet, how often, what kind of “government” are you going to use • Plan ministry events that allow your single adults to FOLLOW Christ • Evaluate at least once a year what needs to be changed

  20. FOLLOW • Fellowship • Outreach • Leadership • Learning • Organization • Worship • (Can add an S for Service)

  21. Fellowship • Mini Golf • Dinner • Movies • Game Nights • Retreats • Breakfast Seminars • Hay rides

  22. Outreach • Lawn Mowing • Yard Work • Nursing Home visits • Meals on Wheels • Food Drive • Blood Drive • Give to an already established mission • Support a Missionary/ Minister/Seminary Student • Use Tracts • Project Connect Booklets from LHM • LWR – volunteer trips • Be involved in your community

  23. Leadership • It takes more than 1 person to lead a single’s group. • Characteristics of a Leader • Mature Christian • Reliable • Willing to go to a training • Has social/people skills • Personal Reference • Online Leadership Quiz (injoy.com) http://www.injoy.com/OnlineTools/assessment.aspx

  24. Learning • Free Bible Studies • Ablaze Bible Studies • <50 days Ablaze> • <Friendship Ablaze> • Concordia Publishing House www.cph.org • Lutheran Hour Ministries www.lhm.org • Lutheran Church Missouri Synod www.lcms.org

  25. Ablaze!

  26. Organization • Executive Board • President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership, Resource, Newsletter, PR, Website, Fellowship Dir, Retreats • Leader/Assistant Leader • Steering Committee

  27. Worship • Promote Single Adult Ministry Sunday • Be involved in your congregation as a group • Be involved in your congregation as an individual

  28. Pass it On Page In Jesus People Sing Songbook Track #11

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