State of Mature Adult Min.

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Reaching Senior Adults Conference
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Charles Arn
Roanoke Valley Baptist Association
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Common Denominator 1

• Fellowship

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

• Fellowship and a Sense of Belonging

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The Up Side Community
The Down Side Saturation
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Saturation Point
The point at which a group can no longer add
members through addition, but only through
replacement.
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Growth Strategy Provide FELLOWSHIP
opportunities for older adults.
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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
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Common Denominator 2

• Fellowship

• Outreach

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

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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

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Growth Strategy Provide EVANGELISM
opportunities for older adults.
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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.
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Common Denominator 3

• Fellowship
• Outreach

• Service

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Research Question Rate your senior adult group
in terms of service meaningful involvement in
the ministry and response to human need.
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Research Question Rate your senior adult group
in terms of service meaningful involvement in
the ministry and response to human need.
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How many hours will laity give to church work?

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

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Growth Strategy Provide SERVICE opportunities
for older adults.
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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.
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Common Denominator 4

• Fellowship
• Outreach
• Service

• Spiritual Development

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Growth Strategy Provide SPIRITUAL GROWTH
opportunities for older adults.
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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.
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The senior adult activities in most churches
are. . .
(Not in your notes)

• Based on traditional assumptions rather than
  present realities.

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Traditional Assumptions
(Not in your notes)
Older adults are all ...

• Sedentary
• Similar
• Withdrawing
• Immobile

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Present Realities
(Not in your notes)
Older adults are...

• Active
• Diverse
• Participating
• Mobile

• Sedentary
• Similar
• Withdrawing
• Immobile

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Turn your eyes out to the fields that are white
and ready to harvest
- Jesus
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