eight steps to a more effective senior adult ministry dr. charles arn roanoke valley baptist...
TRANSCRIPT
Eight Steps Eight Steps to a More Effective to a More Effective
Senior Adult MinistrySenior Adult Ministry
Eight Steps Eight Steps to a More Effective to a More Effective
Senior Adult MinistrySenior Adult Ministry
Dr. Charles ArnDr. Charles Arn
Roanoke Valley Baptist AssociationRoanoke Valley Baptist Association
March 30, 2006March 30, 2006
Would you like to “jump Would you like to “jump start” your older adult start” your older adult
ministry?ministry?
Most churches have token Most churches have token senior adult activities . . .senior adult activities . . . • • senior adult classsenior adult class • • potluck dinnerspotluck dinners • • field tripsfield trips • • shut-in visitationshut-in visitation
Nice . . . but inadequateNice . . . but inadequate!!
Consider the Consider the following following
suggestions... suggestions...
– freedom for greater creativityfreedom for greater creativity– broader appeal to sub-groups of broader appeal to sub-groups of
seniorsseniors– more opportunities for involvementmore opportunities for involvement
What is the difference What is the difference between a between a senior adult senior adult ministryministry and a and a senior adult senior adult groupgroup??
A ministry provides:A ministry provides:
1. Establish a Mature Adult 1. Establish a Mature Adult MinistryMinistry, not a senior adult , not a senior adult groupgroup..
Why have a purpose Why have a purpose statement?statement?
- Helps keep you moving in the Helps keep you moving in the same direction, toward the same same direction, toward the same goal;goal;
- Helps you determine “success;”Helps you determine “success;”
- Helps you determine the priorities Helps you determine the priorities of your S.A.M.;of your S.A.M.;
- Helps you decide what the S.A.M. Helps you decide what the S.A.M. will and will not do.will and will not do.
2. Develop a 2. Develop a purpose purpose statementstatement for your Mature for your Mature Adult MinistryAdult Ministry
The adult ministry of First The adult ministry of First Church has as its purpose to serve, Church has as its purpose to serve, not to be served. We believe God not to be served. We believe God is calling us to take his love in is calling us to take his love in concrete ways to the unchurched concrete ways to the unchurched senior adults in our community, as senior adults in our community, as well as to extend the love of God well as to extend the love of God and the love of the family of God to and the love of the family of God to those within the church...those within the church...
Sample Purpose Statement...Sample Purpose Statement...Sample Purpose Statement...Sample Purpose Statement...
These goals will be accomplished These goals will be accomplished through regular planned activities through regular planned activities and emphases, with the anticipated and emphases, with the anticipated results of God’s blessing and people results of God’s blessing and people coming to Christ and the church. coming to Christ and the church. By-products of these activities will By-products of these activities will be growth of members in their be growth of members in their spiritual walk with God, and their spiritual walk with God, and their relational walk with fellow believers relational walk with fellow believers in the older adult ministry.in the older adult ministry.
Sample Purpose Statement...Sample Purpose Statement...Sample Purpose Statement...Sample Purpose Statement...
A good purpose statement includes . . .A good purpose statement includes . . .
Biblical UnderstandingBiblical Understanding — what you — what you believe God is calling you to be or do;believe God is calling you to be or do;
Target AudienceTarget Audience — identifying those — identifying those people and groups who are the focus of people and groups who are the focus of your ministry;your ministry;
Major ActivitiesMajor Activities — ways through which — ways through which the Good News will be communicated;the Good News will be communicated;
Geographic AreaGeographic Area — where you are called — where you are called to minister;to minister;
Expected ResultsExpected Results — what, with God’s — what, with God’s blessing, you anticipate.blessing, you anticipate.
Full or part-time leaders do Full or part-time leaders do much better with training.much better with training.
3. Find, select, train 3. Find, select, train leadersleaders
Retired pastors should be retrained for senior adult ministry!Retired pastors should be retrained for senior adult ministry!
Full or part-time leaders do Full or part-time leaders do much better with training.much better with training.
3. Find, select, train 3. Find, select, train leadersleaders
Mature in their faith;Mature in their faith; Understanding—and Understanding—and
commitment— to the purpose of commitment— to the purpose of the S.A.M.;the S.A.M.;
Genuine love for older adults;Genuine love for older adults; Desire to improve the Desire to improve the
effectiveness of the S.A.M.effectiveness of the S.A.M.
3. Find, select, train 3. Find, select, train leadersleaders
Qualities of a good senior adult leader:Qualities of a good senior adult leader:
4. Get the 4. Get the factsfacts4. Get the 4. Get the factsfacts
““Abundant, accurate information, properly Abundant, accurate information, properly interpreted and applied, enables us to be interpreted and applied, enables us to be good stewards of the grace of God and good stewards of the grace of God and effective communicators of the gospel of effective communicators of the gospel of Christ.”Christ.”
How many How many middle adultsmiddle adults (50 - 69 yrs.)(50 - 69 yrs.)? ? Senior adultsSenior adults (70 - 85 yrs.) (70 - 85 yrs.)? ? ElderlyElderly (86+yrs.)(86+yrs.)
What interests, needs, concerns, attitudes, What interests, needs, concerns, attitudes, problems exist in this group? problems exist in this group?
5. Start a new senior adult 5. Start a new senior adult groupgroup
Why?Why?
•• Easier for newcomers to get involvedEasier for newcomers to get involved
• • Avoids “saturation” of group/sAvoids “saturation” of group/s
• • Broadens heterogeneous appealBroadens heterogeneous appeal
• • Keeps ministry focus-drivenKeeps ministry focus-driven
• • Allows for more leadership involvementAllows for more leadership involvement
(not in your notes)
6. Study the growth of the 6. Study the growth of the early early churchchurch together. together.
The purpose of Christ—and the The purpose of Christ—and the church—should be a key part of church—should be a key part of the purpose of the older adult the purpose of the older adult ministry.ministry.
7. Appoint 7. Appoint outreachoutreach and and assimilationassimilation committees committees
Build a “great commission Build a “great commission conscience” in the groupconscience” in the group
Plan outreach eventsPlan outreach events Welcome newcomersWelcome newcomers Follow up visitorsFollow up visitors Monitor key health measures Monitor key health measures
(attendance, # visitors, etc.)(attendance, # visitors, etc.)
What do these group What do these group do?do?
8. Plan two “8. Plan two “high-visibilityhigh-visibility events”events”
Celebration of Life SundayCelebration of Life Sunday Health and wellness fairHealth and wellness fair ““Snap, crackle, pop” exerciseSnap, crackle, pop” exercise Friendship SundayFriendship Sunday Grand-Parent SundayGrand-Parent Sunday ““Making A Difference” seminarMaking A Difference” seminar ? ? ?? ? ?
