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Common Denominators of Effective Older Adult Ministry

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

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Common Denominators of Effective Older Adult Ministry

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

  2. Common Denominator #1: • Fellowship

  3. One of the most positive contributions that older adult ministries make in the churchtoday 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. Growth Strategy:Provide FELLOWSHIP opportunities for older adults. Turn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming year 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

  8. Common Denominator #2: • Fellowship • Outreach

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

  10. How & Why People Come to Christian Faith • Special Need 1 - 2% • Walk-In 2 - 3% • Visitation 1 - 2% • Church Program 2 - 3% • Mass Evangelism 1/2% • Sunday School 4 - 5% • Pastor/Staff 1 - 6% • Friend/Relative 75 - 90%

  11. How & Why People Come to Christian Faith • Special Need 1 - 2% • Walk-In 2 - 3% • Visitation 1 - 2% • Church Program 2 - 3% • Mass Evangelism 1/2% • Sunday School 4 - 5% • Pastor/Staff 1 - 6% • Friend/Relative 75 - 90%

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

  13. Growth Strategy:Provide EVANGELISM opportunities for older adults. Turn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming year 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.

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

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

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

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

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

  19. Growth Strategy:Provide SERVICE opportunities for older adults. Turn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming year 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.

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

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

  22. Growth Strategy:Provide SPIRITUAL GROWTH opportunities for older adults. Turn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming year 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.

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

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

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

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

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