MODELS OF SINGLE ADULT AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

1. MODELS OF SINGLE ADULT AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY EXPLORING THE OPTIONS… DISCOVERING WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR MINISTRY Dennis Franck– Consultant/Speaker Franck Insights www.franckinsights.com franckinsights@gmail.com Springfield, MO

2. ASK/ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS! • What is your mission statement? • Who are we trying to reach? (Age group/type) • Why are we trying to reach them? (evangelism, discipleship, social) • What are the demographics of your church? • Take a written survey • Consult church data base • What are the demographics of yourcommunity? • Obtain from the county courthouse • www.census.gov – your state and county

3. BY AGE… 18-25-College age 20’s & 30’s 35 +Single/single- again (40 + if have 20’s & 30”s) 55+ “Mature” Single BY NEED…. Married Single Parents & children -Pre-school -Elementary -Jr/Sr High Divorce Care & children -Age groups Widowed DESIGN MINISTRY BYAGE AND/OR NEED GROUPS

4. MINISTRY GROUP MODELS DESIGN YOUR MINISTRY BY PURPOSE/MISSION… • OUTREACH • DISCIPLESHIP • DISCUSSION • EDUCATIONAL • SOCIAL/RECREATIONAL • SMALL GROUPS • CONTEMPORARY SERVICE • COMBINATION

5. OUTREACH • Topical teaching on personal -life issues • Discussion opportunities – small/large group • Informal seating - tables & chairs best • Extended fellowship time (15-30 minutes) • Light, short praise & worship • Refreshments provided - helpful to fellowship • Many people involved in the meeting • Prayer - short times of - few involved • Attracts mature, immature Christians and unbelievers • Attracts visitors • Functions well in neutral, non-threatening settings • Frequency - weekly to monthly

6. DISCIPLESHIP - CLASS • Bible-study/Bible books & spiritual topics • Discussion-small and large group • Praise & worship – extended time for • Prayer-various types & much time for • Group interaction with teacher • Shorter fellowship time • Attracts strong & maturing Christians • Does not attract many visitors or unbelievers • Refreshments-May be provided, but not as necessary • Location-church, home or other • Frequency-weekly to monthly

7. DISCUSSION http://singles.ag.org/leadership/ministryhelps/ideas/ • 1 Topic - All groups have the same topic                                  • 7 - 8 people per group - tables & chairs or chairs only in small circles • Form # of groups by dividing attendance by 7 and counting off • Make every group BOTH males &females – allow guests to sit with hosts • Discussion leaders facilitate the discussion   • NO teaching, facilitators LEAD the discussion • Discussion time - 1 hour with possible large group wrap up • Prayer - short prayers at end of discussion in small groups or large group • Attracts visitors and non-Christians   • Attracts immature & mature Christians • Location - church rooms & neutral settings • Frequency - weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly • Refreshments following - helpful for fellowship

8. EDUCATIONAL • Workshop/seminar format • Praise & worship-light & brief • Teaching (spiritual and personal topics • Concentrated for a period of time • Half day to day-and-a-half OR 3 - 8 week series • Personal and spiritual topics • Discussion-large & small groups • Prayer-short & brief, one or two involved • Attracts visitors • Attracts immature & mature Christians • Location-church rooms/neutral locations • Frequency – 2 - 4 months • Refreshments - helpful for fellowship

9. SOCIAL/RECREATIONAL • Many types of social/recreational events • Teaching-rare, devotional type if ever • Prayer-minimal if ever • Praise & worship-rare if ever • Discussion-rare, if ever • Location-various settings and types of • Frequency-weekly to monthly • Consider cost & target age • Refreshments - usual and often • Attracts unbelievers, immature & mature Christians • Attracts visitors

10. SMALL GROUPS • BIBLE STUDY/DISCIPLESHIP • Praise & worship maybe extended time for • Prayer time maybe extended time for • Discussion about teaching in large and small groups • Time allowed for praise reports & prayer requests • Teaching topics - Biblical/Spiritual issues - Personal issues • Attracts immature & mature Christians • Retains Christians who want to grow • Does not attract unbelievers • Location - Homes/church/other • Frequency - Weekly to monthly • Refreshments - Helpful but not necessary • Spiritual growth, maturity atmosphere

11. SMALL GROUPS • PRAYER AND SHARE • Teaching brief, informal - Personal topics • Praise & worship short & light • Extended time for discussion • Extended time for praise reports & prayer requests • Prayer time extended, light, many participants • Attracts unbelievers, immature & mature Christians • Retains unbelievers, immature and mature Christians • Location - Home/church/other neutral locations • Frequency - Weekly to monthly • Refreshments helpful • Supportive, seeker atmosphere

12. CONTEMPORARY SERVICE • Informal or formal seating • Praise & worship-partial to full band-maybe extended time • Prayer time usually short-one or several involved • Teaching/preaching-spiritual growth & personal topics • Use of video, drama, power point, visuals, high tech tools-Many people involved - new songs • Discussion/group interaction limited unless seating allows • Attracts immature & mature Christians • Attracts young adult unbelievers more easily than older unbelievers • Frequency - weekly to monthly • Refreshments & fellowship time beneficial

13. CONTEMPORARY SERVICE • Authentic, fun, intentional environment • Relational, spiritual environment • Location-church or other • Use of new terms instead of “Christian - ese”… • Programs vs. Bulletins • Guests vs. Visitors • Podium vs. Pulpit • Message vs. Sermon • Auditorium vs. Sanctuary • Audience vs. Congregation

14. DEVELOP SEVERAL MODELS… • PLAN A TOTAL MINISTRY • BUILD IT IN STAGES… • WAIT TILL YOU HAVE LEADERSHIP • WAIT TILL YOU HAVE RESOURCES • Vision • Room (s) • Finances • Teaching materials • Other materials

15. ON CHURCH GROUNDS - BENENFITS • 1) More people from your church exposed to ministry • 2) Less storage problems • 3) Less set up, clean up - tables, chairs, props, materials etc. • 4) More access to tables, chairs, props etc.

16. ON CHURCH GROUNDS BENEFITS • 5) Less time finding a meeting room • 6) Usually less risk of losing the meeting room • 7) No cost • 8) Fewer requests to announce other churches' events

17. OFF CHURCH GROUNDS, CONSIDER… • AREA FOR FELLOWSHIP IN ROOM • COST OF ROOM • FLEXIBLE SEATING • POSSIBLE DAYS ROOM NOT AVAILABLE • IMAGE OF THE BUSINESS • LOCATION OF THE BUSINESS • STORAGE OF MATERIALS • CHILDCARE NEEDS • Age grouping of children • Children’s leaders and workers • Program to use for children • Transportation to church for classes (if available) • Snacks

18. OFF CHURCH GROUNDSROOM IDEAS • RESTAURANT ROOM • MOTEL MEETING ROOM • COMMUNITY ROOM • APARTMENT COMPLEX • BOWLING ALLEY MEETING ROOM • BANK ROOM • SERVICE CLUB ROOM • OTHER

19. OFF CHURCH GROUNDS BENEFITS • 1) More community exposure • 2) Attracts more unbelievers due to neutral setting • 3) Attracts more believers who do not have a ministry at their church • 4) Attracts more children of single parents to take to your church if on Sunday (classes, kids church) • 5) Easier to build a city-wide influence and image

20. OFF CHURCH GROUNDS BENEFITS • 6) Easier to build relationships with other pastors • 7) Less denominational hang ups in peoples' minds due to the neutral setting • 8) More flexibility with schedule • 9) Any size church could sponsor the ministry • 10) Easier for several churches to sponsor together

21. SPONSORING CHURCH (ES) OR MINISTRY (IES) • IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A SPIRITUAL COVERING • Protection from accusations • Financial backing • Advice when needed • Spiritual/Moral support when needed • Identity of the sponsoring church/ministry • Security of the sponsoring church/ministry

22. SPONSORING MODELS • One church-Leader from this church • Two or more churches of same denomination-Leaders from both • Two or more churches - different denominations-Both should be alike in basic beliefs (evangelical) • Independent organization-(not a church)-Seek a pastor(s) and/or church board(s) to support you • One or more individuals- Seek a pastor(s) and/or church board(s) to support you

23. FUNDING THE MINISTRYAny ministry worth having is worth funding! • INCLUDED IN A CHURCH BUDGET • TWO OR MORE CHURCHES GO TOGETHER • REGULAR OFFERINGS IN THE GROUP • People will give to the cause • Keep towards expenses • Run through church budget • Tax deductible if written to church

24. Discussion 1. Which model(s) resemble what you are doing now? 2. Which model do you think would attract the most people? Why? 3. Which model(s) best express your philosophy of ministry? 4. What are the benefits of being intentional in designing ministry to reach specific types of people? 5. Which model would you want to begin first? Why? 6. Which models would you want to add later? Why? 7. What, if anything, would you like to adjust/change in your ministry as a result of understanding these models?