Common Common Denominators Denominators

of Effective Older of Effective Older Adult Adult

MinistryMinistryCharles Arn

Reaching Senior Adults ConferenceReaching Senior Adults Conference

Roanoke Valley Baptist Association

44

Fellowship Fellowship

Common Denominator #1:Common Denominator #1:Common Denominator #1:Common Denominator #1:

One of the most positive One of the most positive contributions that older adult contributions that older adult ministries make in the churchministries make in the churchtoday is . . .today is . . .

Fellowship and a Sense of BelongingFellowship and a Sense of Belonging

The Up Side: The Up Side: CommunityCommunityThe Up Side: The Up Side: CommunityCommunity

The Down Side: The Down Side: SaturationSaturationThe Down Side: The Down Side: SaturationSaturation

Saturation PointSaturation Point

““Saturation Point”Saturation Point”““Saturation Point”Saturation Point”

The point at which a group can no longer add members through addition, but only through replacement.

The point at which a group can no longer add members through addition, but only through replacement.

Growth Strategy:Growth Strategy: Provide Provide FELLOWSHIPFELLOWSHIP opportunities for older adults.opportunities for older adults.

Growth Strategy:Growth Strategy: Provide Provide FELLOWSHIPFELLOWSHIP opportunities for older adults.opportunities for older adults.

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:Growth Strategy: Provide Provide FELLOWSHIPFELLOWSHIP opportunities for older adults.opportunities for older adults.

Growth Strategy:Growth Strategy: Provide Provide FELLOWSHIPFELLOWSHIP opportunities for older adults.opportunities for older adults.

Turn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming yearTurn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming year

Fellowship

Common Denominator #2:Common Denominator #2:Common Denominator #2:Common Denominator #2:

Outreach Outreach

05

101520

2530

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10EffectiveIneffective

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

How & Why People How & Why People Come to Christian Come to Christian

Faith Faith

How & Why People How & Why People Come to Christian Come to Christian

Faith 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%

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%

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%

How & Why People How & Why People Come to Christian Come to Christian

Faith Faith

How & Why People How & Why People Come to Christian Come to Christian

Faith Faith

Friend/Relative 75 - 90% Friend/Relative 75 - 90%

Growth Strategy:Growth Strategy: Provide Provide EVANGELISMEVANGELISM opportunities for older adults.opportunities for older adults.

YES NOAt 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 NOAt 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 yearTurn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming year

Growth Strategy:Growth Strategy: Provide Provide EVANGELISMEVANGELISM opportunities for older adults.opportunities for older adults.

Fellowship

Outreach

Common Denominator #3:Common Denominator #3:Common Denominator #3:Common Denominator #3:

Service Service

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

05

101520253035

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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

Average layperson: 3 - 4 hrs./wk.Average layperson: 3 - 4 hrs./wk. Average senior adult: 8+ hrs/wk.Average senior adult: 8+ hrs/wk. Average layperson: 3 - 4 hrs./wk.Average layperson: 3 - 4 hrs./wk. Average senior adult: 8+ hrs/wk.Average senior adult: 8+ hrs/wk.

1 - 2 hrs.30%

3 - 5 hrs.39%

6 - 7 hrs.25% 8+ hrs.

6%

How many hours will laity give to church work?How many hours will laity give to church work?

Growth Strategy:Growth Strategy: Provide Provide SERVICESERVICE opportunities opportunities for older adults.for older adults.

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 yearTurn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming year

Growth Strategy:Growth Strategy: Provide Provide SERVICESERVICE opportunities opportunities for older adults.for older adults.

Fellowship

Outreach

Service

Common Denominator #4:Common Denominator #4:Common Denominator #4:Common Denominator #4:

Spiritual Development Spiritual Development

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

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 yearTurn one “no” into a “yes” during the coming year

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

The senior adult activities The senior adult activities in most churches are. . .in most churches are. . .The senior adult activities The senior adult activities in most churches are. . .in most churches are. . .

Based on traditional assumptions rather than present realities.

Based on traditional assumptions rather than present realities.

(Not in your notes)(Not in your notes)

Traditional AssumptionsTraditional Assumptions

SedentarySedentary SimilarSimilar WithdrawingWithdrawing ImmobileImmobile

(Not in your notes)(Not in your notes)

Older adults are all ...Older adults are all ...

Present RealitiesPresent Realities

ActiveActive DiverseDiverse ParticipatingParticipating MobileMobile

SedentarySedentary SimilarSimilar WithdrawingWithdrawing ImmobileImmobile

Older adults are...Older adults are...

(Not in your notes)(Not in your notes)

““Turn your Turn your eyes out to eyes out to

the fields that the fields that are white and are white and

ready to ready to harvest…”harvest…”

- Jesus- Jesus