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 www.singles.ag.org Springfield, MO

2. www.youngadults.ag.org www.singles.ag.org

3. 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 your community?  Obtain from the county courthouse  www.census.gov – your state and county www.census.gov

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

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

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

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

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

9. EDUCATIONAL Workshop/seminar format Workshop/seminar format Praise & worship-light & brief Praise & worship-light & brief Teaching (spiritual and personal topics 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 Personal and spiritual topics Discussion-large & small groups Discussion-large & small groups Prayer-short & brief, one or two involved Prayer-short & brief, one or two involved Attracts visitors Attracts visitors Attracts immature & mature Christians Attracts immature & mature Christians Location-church rooms/neutral locations Location-church rooms/neutral locations Frequency – 2 - 4 months Frequency – 2 - 4 months Refreshments - helpful for fellowship Refreshments - helpful for fellowship

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

11. SMALL GROUPS BIBLE STUDY/DISCIPLESHIP 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

12. SMALL GROUPS PRAYER AND SHARE 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

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

14. CONTEMPORARY SERVICE Authentic, fun, intentional environment Authentic, fun, intentional environment Relational, spiritual environment Relational, spiritual environment Location-church or other Location-church or other Use of new terms instead of “Christian - ese”… 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

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

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

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

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

19. OFF CHURCH GROUNDS ROOM IDEAS RESTAURANT ROOM RESTAURANT ROOM MOTEL MEETING ROOM MOTEL MEETING ROOM COMMUNITY ROOM COMMUNITY ROOM APARTMENT COMPLEX APARTMENT COMPLEX BOWLING ALLEY MEETING ROOM BOWLING ALLEY MEETING ROOM BANK ROOM BANK ROOM SERVICE CLUB ROOM SERVICE CLUB ROOM OTHER OTHER

20. OFF CHURCH GROUNDS BENEFITS 1) More community exposure 1) More community exposure 2) Attracts more unbelievers due to neutral setting 2) Attracts more unbelievers due to neutral setting 3) Attracts more believers who do not have a ministry at their church 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) 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 5) Easier to build a city-wide influence and image

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

22. SPONSORING CHURCH (ES) OR MINISTRY (IES) IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A SPIRITUAL COVERING 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

23. SPONSORING MODELS One church-Leader from this church One church-Leader from this church Two or more churches of same denomination- Leaders from both Two or more churches of same denomination- Leaders from both Two or more churches - different denominations- Both should be alike in basic beliefs (evangelical) 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 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 One or more individuals- Seek a pastor(s) and/or church board(s) to support you

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

25. 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?

28. www.youngadults.ag.org

29. www.singles.ag.org