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 Director, Single Adult/Young Adult Ministries Assemblies of God

4. 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

5. BY AGE… 18-25-College age 20’s & 30’s 30+Single/single- again (35+ 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

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

7. OUTREACH • Topical teaching on personal issues • Discussion opportunities-small & large group • Informal seating-tables and chairs best • Extended fellowship time (15-30 minutes) • Light, short praise and 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 many visitors • Functions well in neutral, non-threatening settings • Frequency-weekly to monthly

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

9. DISCUSSION • Praise & worship-rare and brief • Teaching-rare, brief and topical • Discussion-regular, small group-possible large group wrap up • Visitors-attracted to and frequent • Prayer-short & brief • Attracts immature and mature Christians • Location-church rooms and neutral settings • Frequency-weekly to monthly • Refreshments-helpful for fellowship

10. EDUCATIONAL • Workshop/seminar format • Praise & worship-light & brief if any • Teaching-concentrated for a period of time • Half day to day-and-a-half -3-8 week series • Personal and spiritual topics • Discussion-large & small groups • Prayer-short and brief, one to several involved • Visitors-attracted to this • Attracts immature and mature Christians • Location-church rooms and neutral locations • Frequency-2-4 months • Refreshments-helpful for fellowship

11. SOCIAL/RECREATIONAL • Many types of social/recreational events • Attracts unbelievers, immature & mature Christians • Attracts visitors • 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 • Consider target age • Refreshments-usual and often

12. SMALL GROUPS • BIBLE STUDY/DISCIPLESHIP TYPE • Praise & worship may be extended/Pentecostal • Prayer time may be extended & Pentecostal • Discussion about teaching encouraged in large and small groups • Time allowed for praise reports and prayer requests • Teaching topics-Biblical/Spiritual issues from books or other/Personal issues-extended time for • Attracts immature and 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

13. SMALL GROUPS • PRAYER AND SHARE TYPE • Teaching brief, informal and on personal topics • Praise & worship short and light • Extended time for discussion on personal issues • Extended time for praise reports and 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

14. CONTEMPORARY SERVICE • Informal or formal seating • Praise & worship-partial to full band-may be extended • 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 • Discussion/group interaction limited unless seating allows • Attracts immature and mature Christians • Attracts young adult unbelievers more easily than older, single adult unbelievers • Frequency-weekly to monthly • Refreshments & fellowship time helpful

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

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

17. ON CHURCH GROUNDS - BENENFITS • 1) Possibly more people from your church exposed to your ministry • 2) Less storage problems • 3) Less set up, clean up and transporting of tables, chairs, props, materials etc. • 4) More access to tables, chairs, props etc. • 5) Less time finding a meeting room

18. ON CHURCH GROUNDS BENEFITS • 6) Usually less risk of losing the meeting room • 7) No cost • 8) Fewer requests to announce other churches' events • 9) More exposure of the ministry to your church

19. 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 • Snacks

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

21. 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 transport to your church for Sunday School classes • 5) Easier to build a city-wide influence and image

22. 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

23. FREQUENCY OF MEETING • WEEKLY… • Discipleship model • Outreach model • Discussion model • Educational model • Workshop/Seminar • 4-10 week series • Half day/full day/ weekend

24. FREQUENCY OF MEETING • BI-WEEKLY… • Discipleship model • Outreach model • Discussion model • Social activities model

25. FREQUENCY OF MEETING • MONTHLY… • Social activities model • Outreach model • Discipleship model • Depending on what else is offered • Depending on available leadership

26. FREQUENCY OF MEETING • OCCASIONALLY… • Social activities model • Educational model • Outreach model

27. 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

28. SPONSORING MODELS • One church-Leader from this church • Two or more churches of same denomination-Leaders from both • Two or more churches of 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

29. 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

30. FUNDING THE MINISTRY • LEADER(S) SEEK FUNDING FROM INDIVIDUALS • LEADER(S) SEEK FUNDING FROM ORGANIZATIONS (Christian and secular) • INDIVIDUALS IN THE MINISTRY PLEDGE • To a special project • Monthly support • COMBINATION OF THESE

31. Discussion Which model resembles what you are doing now? Which model do you think would attract the most people? Why? Which model(s) best express(es) your philosophy of ministry? Which model would you want to begin first? Why?

32. Discussion Which models would you want to add later? Why? What are the benefits of being intentional in designing ministry to reach specific types of people? What, if anything, would you like to adjust/change in your ministry as a result of understanding these models?

34. `

36. www.youngadults.ag.org