1. Common Denominators of Effective Older Adult Ministry Common Denominators of Effective Older Adult Ministry Charles Arn Reaching Senior Adults Conference Roanoke Valley Baptist Association 4 4

2.  Fellowship Common Denominator #1:

3. One of the most positive contributions that older adult ministries make in the church today is... Fellowship and a Sense of Belonging

4. The Up Side: Community The Down Side: Saturation

5. Saturation Point “Saturation Point” The point at which a group can no longer add members through addition, but only through replacement.

6. Growth Strategy: Provide FELLOWSHIP opportunities for older adults.

7. YES NO We have at least one quarterly outing for members and friends We have an intentional strategy to help new people build relationships with others in the group We have started at least one new group for older adults in the past two years Our group keeps records to recognize and celebrate special occasions in members’ lives We have a method of helping older adults learn principles of deepening friendships and relationships YES NO We have at least one quarterly outing for members and friends We have an intentional strategy to help new people build relationships with others in the group We have started at least one new group for older adults in the past two years Our group keeps records to recognize and celebrate special occasions in members’ lives We have a method of helping older adults learn principles of deepening friendships and relationships Growth Strategy: Provide FELLOWSHIP opportunities for older adults. Turn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming year

8.  Fellowship Common Denominator #2:  Outreach

9. Effective Ineffective Research Question: “Rate the effectiveness of your group in reaching unchurched seniors adults.”

10. How & Why People Come to Christian Faith  Special Need1 - 2%  Walk-In2 - 3%  Visitation1 - 2%  Church Program2 - 3%  Mass Evangelism 1 / 2 %  Sunday School4 - 5%  Pastor/Staff1 - 6%  Friend/Relative75 - 90%  Special Need1 - 2%  Walk-In2 - 3%  Visitation1 - 2%  Church Program2 - 3%  Mass Evangelism 1 / 2 %  Sunday School4 - 5%  Pastor/Staff1 - 6%  Friend/Relative75 - 90%

11. u Special Need1 - 2% u Walk-In2 - 3% u Visitation1 - 2% u Church Program2 - 3% u Mass Evangelism 1 / 2 % u Sunday School4 - 5% u Pastor/Staff1 - 6% How & Why People Come to Christian Faith  Friend/Relative75 - 90%

12. Growth Strategy: Provide EVANGELISM opportunities for older adults.

13. YES NO At least once each quarter we have an event specially planned and promoted to reach out to the unchurched. We have an evangelism training course each year and encourage seniors to attend. Our group has a purpose statement which includes outreach to unchurched older adults. We have an active and effective process for identifying prospective new members. We have intentional prayer for non-Christian friends and relatives of our older adult members. YES NO At least once each quarter we have an event specially planned and promoted to reach out to the unchurched. We have an evangelism training course each year and encourage seniors to attend. Our group has a purpose statement which includes outreach to unchurched older adults. We have an active and effective process for identifying prospective new members. We have intentional prayer for non-Christian friends and relatives of our older adult members. Turn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming year Growth Strategy: Provide EVANGELISM opportunities for older adults.

14.  Fellowship  Outreach Common Denominator #3:  Service

15. Research Question: “Rate your senior adult group in terms of service — meaningful involvement in the ministry and response to human need.”

17.  Average layperson: 3 - 4 hrs./wk.  Average senior adult: 8+ hrs/wk.  Average layperson: 3 - 4 hrs./wk.  Average senior adult: 8+ hrs/wk. How many hours will laity give to church work?

18. Growth Strategy: Provide SERVICE opportunities for older adults.

19. YES NO There is an ongoing effort to identify and provide meaningful roles and tasks to our senior adult members. There is an ongoing effort to help our senior adults identify and use their spiritual gifts. We provide appropriate and meaningful service opportunities for our home-bound members. At least twice a year our group sponsors a service project in which members can become involved. We have a mentoring program that matches older adults with others in the church who would like to be mentored. YES NO There is an ongoing effort to identify and provide meaningful roles and tasks to our senior adult members. There is an ongoing effort to help our senior adults identify and use their spiritual gifts. We provide appropriate and meaningful service opportunities for our home-bound members. At least twice a year our group sponsors a service project in which members can become involved. We have a mentoring program that matches older adults with others in the church who would like to be mentored. Turn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming year Growth Strategy: Provide SERVICE opportunities for older adults.

20.  Fellowship  Outreach  Service Common Denominator #4:  Spiritual Development

21. Growth Strategy: Provide SPIRITUAL GROWTH opportunities for older adults.

22. YES NO We have a plan where every group member is specifically prayed for once a month We have at least a monthly Bible study for older adults outside the Sunday School hour. We have a mentoring program that links older adults with younger adults We sponsor at least one missions experience each year for our older adult members. We have an intercessory prayer group that meets regularly to pray for needs of members and non- members in the church. YES NO We have a plan where every group member is specifically prayed for once a month We have at least a monthly Bible study for older adults outside the Sunday School hour. We have a mentoring program that links older adults with younger adults We sponsor at least one missions experience each year for our older adult members. We have an intercessory prayer group that meets regularly to pray for needs of members and non- members in the church. Turn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming year Growth Strategy: Provide SPIRITUAL GROWTH opportunities for older adults.

23. The senior adult activities in most churches are... Based on traditional assumptions rather than present realities. (Not in your notes)

24. Traditional Assumptions  Sedentary  Similar  Withdrawing  Immobile (Not in your notes) Older adults are all...

25. Present Realities  Active  Diverse  Participating  Mobile  Sedentary  Similar  Withdrawing  Immobile Older adults are... (Not in your notes)

26. “Turn your eyes out to the fields that are white and ready to harvest…” - Jesus