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
www.youngadults.ag.org
www.singles.ag.org
ASK/ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS!
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What is your mission statement?
 Who are we trying to reach? (Age group/type)
 Why are we trying to reach them? (evangelism, discipleship, social)
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What are the demographics of your church?
 Take a written survey
 Consult church data base
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What are the demographics of your community?
 Obtain from the county courthouse
 www.census.gov – your state and county
DESIGN MINISTRY BY
AGE AND/OR NEED GROUPS
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AGE…
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18-25-College age
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20’s & 30’s
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 BY
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Married
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Single Parents & children
-Pre-school
-Elementary
-Jr/Sr High
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Divorce Care & children
-Age groups
Widowed
30+Single/single- again
(35+ if have 20’s & 30”s)
55+ “Mature” Single
NEED….
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MINISTRY GROUP MODELS
DESIGN YOUR MINISTRY BY
PURPOSE/MISSION…
OUTREACH
 DISCIPLESHIP
 DISCUSSION
 EDUCATIONAL
 SOCIAL/RECREATIONAL
 SMALL GROUPS
 CONTEMPORARY SERVICE
 COMBINATION
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OUTREACH
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Topical teaching on personal -life issues
Discussion opportunities – small/large group
Informal seating - tables & chairs best
Extended fellowship time (15-30 minutes)
Light, short praise & worship
Refreshments provided - helpful to fellowship
Many people involved in the meeting
Prayer - short times of - few involved
Attracts mature, immature Christians and unbelievers
Attracts visitors
Functions well in neutral, non-threatening settings
Frequency - weekly to monthly
DISCIPLESHIP - CLASS
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Bible-study/Bible books & spiritual topics
Discussion-small and large group
Praise & worship – extended time for
Prayer-various types & much time for
Group interaction with teacher
Shorter fellowship time
Attracts strong & maturing Christians
Does not attract many visitors or unbelievers
Refreshments-May be provided, but not as necessary
Location-church, home or other
Frequency-weekly to monthly
DISCUSSION
http://singles.ag.org/leadership/ministryhelps/ideas/
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1 Topic - All groups have the same topic
7 - 8 people per group - tables & chairs or chairs only in small circles
Form # of groups by dividing attendance by 7 and counting off
Make every group BOTH males & females – allow guests to sit with hosts
Discussion leaders facilitate the discussion
NO teaching, facilitators LEAD the discussion
Discussion time - 1 hour with possible large group wrap up
Prayer - short prayers at end of discussion in small groups or large group
Attracts visitors and non-Christians
Attracts immature & mature Christians
Location - church rooms & neutral settings
Frequency - weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly
Refreshments following - helpful for fellowship
EDUCATIONAL
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Workshop/seminar format
Praise & worship-light & brief
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
Discussion-large & small groups
Prayer-short & brief, one or two involved
Attracts visitors
Attracts immature & mature Christians
Location-church rooms/neutral locations
Frequency – 2 - 4 months
Refreshments - helpful for fellowship
SOCIAL/RECREATIONAL
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Many types of social/recreational events
Teaching-rare, devotional type if ever
Prayer-minimal if ever
Praise & worship-rare if ever
Discussion-rare, if ever
Location-various settings and types of
Frequency-weekly to monthly
Consider cost & target age
Refreshments - usual and often
Attracts unbelievers, immature & mature Christians
Attracts visitors
SMALL GROUPS
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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
SMALL GROUPS
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PRAYER AND SHARE
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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
CONTEMPORARY SERVICE
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Informal or formal seating
Praise & worship-partial to full band-maybe extended time
Prayer time usually short-one or several involved
Teaching/preaching-spiritual growth & personal topics
Use of video, drama, power point, visuals, high tech toolsMany people involved - new songs
Discussion/group interaction limited unless seating allows
Attracts immature & mature Christians
Attracts young adult unbelievers more easily than older
unbelievers
Frequency - weekly to monthly
Refreshments & fellowship time beneficial
CONTEMPORARY SERVICE
Authentic, fun, intentional environment
 Relational, spiritual environment
 Location-church or other
 Use of new terms instead of “Christian - ese”…
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Programs vs. Bulletins
Guests vs. Visitors
Podium vs. Pulpit
Message vs. Sermon
Auditorium vs. Sanctuary
Audience vs. Congregation
DEVELOP SEVERAL
MODELS…
PLAN A TOTAL MINISTRY
 BUILD IT IN STAGES…
 WAIT TILL YOU HAVE LEADERSHIP
 WAIT TILL YOU HAVE RESOURCES
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Vision
Room (s)
Finances
Teaching materials
Other materials
ON CHURCH GROUNDS - BENENFITS
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1) More people from your church exposed to
ministry
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2) Less storage problems
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3) Less set up, clean up - tables, chairs, props,
materials etc.
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4) More access to tables, chairs, props etc.
ON CHURCH GROUNDS
BENEFITS
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5) Less time finding a meeting room
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6) Usually less risk of losing the meeting room
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7) No cost
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8) Fewer requests to announce other churches'
events
OFF CHURCH GROUNDS,
CONSIDER…
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AREA FOR FELLOWSHIP IN ROOM
COST OF ROOM
FLEXIBLE SEATING
POSSIBLE DAYS ROOM NOT AVAILABLE
IMAGE OF THE BUSINESS
LOCATION OF THE BUSINESS
STORAGE OF MATERIALS
CHILDCARE NEEDS
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Age grouping of children
Children’s leaders and workers
Program to use for children
Transportation to church for classes (if available)
Snacks
OFF CHURCH GROUNDS
ROOM IDEAS
RESTAURANT ROOM
 MOTEL MEETING ROOM
 COMMUNITY ROOM
 APARTMENT COMPLEX
 BOWLING ALLEY MEETING ROOM
 BANK ROOM
 SERVICE CLUB ROOM
 OTHER
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OFF CHURCH GROUNDS
BENEFITS
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1) More community exposure
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2) Attracts more unbelievers due to neutral setting
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3) Attracts more believers who do not have a ministry at
their church
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4) Attracts more children of single parents to take to
your church if on Sunday (classes, kids church)
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5) Easier to build a city-wide influence and image
OFF CHURCH GROUNDS
BENEFITS
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6) Easier to build relationships with other pastors
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7) Less denominational hang ups in peoples' minds due
to the neutral setting
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8) More flexibility with schedule
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9) Any size church could sponsor the ministry
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10) Easier for several churches to sponsor together
SPONSORING CHURCH (ES)
OR MINISTRY (IES)
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IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A SPIRITUAL
COVERING
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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
SPONSORING MODELS
One church-Leader from this church
 Two or more churches of same denominationLeaders from both
 Two or more churches - different denominationsBoth should be alike in basic beliefs (evangelical)
 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
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FUNDING THE MINISTRY
Any ministry worth having is worth funding!
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INCLUDED IN A CHURCH BUDGET
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TWO OR MORE CHURCHES GO TOGETHER
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REGULAR OFFERINGS IN THE GROUP
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People will give to the cause
Keep towards expenses
Run through church budget
Tax deductible if written to church
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?
www.youngadults.ag.org
www.singles.ag.org