AGING CONGREGATION (LACK OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH)
AGING CONGREGATION WITH FEW YOUNG FAMILIES – (GRAND AVENUE – FEB. 2016)
The on-line congregational survey revealed that Grand Avenue’s number one concern is an aging congregation. The survey also showed a concern for the lack of children and young families in the life of the church. One mystery guest visitor commented: “There were not many children present at all. The total was maybe five or six children that appeared to be there with their grandparents.” The consultation team lifts these concerns as major issues to be addressed. While the congregation has identified these concerns as important, there has been no strategic plan to reverse the decline in the number of children and young families within the life of the church.
EFFECTIVELY REACH AND DISCIPLE YOUNG PEOPLE
MissionInsite indicates a five-mile radius surrounding Grand Avenue UMC includes 8,000 people age 34 and under! In order to develop inspiring, relevant ministries to young adults and families with children and teens, the pastor will form a Next Generation Ministry Task Force by August 31, 2016. The Task Force will develop a plan for reaching young adults and families with children and teens that will include the following:
- Prayer walk the community surrounding the church to discern further impressions about the persons who live in the area.
- Complete a demographics study of the ministry area of Grand Avenue UMC by December 31, 2016.
- As a team, visit three congregations, which have a vibrant family, youth and children’s ministry.
- Evaluate current programming and hospitality to determine effectiveness in reaching the target audience of young adults and families with children and teens.
- Evaluate current facilities and spaces dedicated to use by youth, children and babies/toddlers to determine if the spaces are easily identifiable, child-friendly, a good location for children’s programming, and include exciting and welcoming decor.
- Develop a plan to follow-up and engage young adults and families with children and teens in the total life of the church.
A comprehensive plan to reach and disciple young adults and families with children and teens will be presented to the Administrative Council (or its successor) for adoption by April 30, 2017.
The pastor, in consultation with the coach, will establish by June 30, 2017, an ongoing Next Generation Team of five to seven persons to continue planning and oversight of Next Generation ministries.
AGING CONGREGATION WITH FEW YOUNG FAMILIES – (FAIRMOUNT UMC – FEB. 2016)
The on-line congregational survey revealed that Fairmount’s number one concern is an aging congregation. The survey also showed a concern for the lack of children and young families in the life of the church as well as declining attendance. The consultation team concurs and lifts these concerns as major issues to be addressed. While the congregation has identified these concerns as important, there has been no strategic plan to reverse the decline of children and young families within the life of the church.
EFFECTIVELY REACH AND INTEGRATE YOUNG ADULTS WITH CHILDREN INTO THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
In order to develop inspiring, relevant ministries to young adults with children, the pastor will form a Family Ministry Team by May 1, 2016, which will include at least two parents. The team will develop a plan for family ministry that will include the following:
● Review, implement and follow the Safe Sanctuaries policy by March 1, 2016.
THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY WHETHER OR NOT THE CONGREGATION VOTES TO ACCEPT THIS MAP.
● Consult with the Conference Associate Director of Student Ministries.
● As a team, visit three congregations who have a vibrant young family and children’s ministry.
● Evaluate current programming and hospitality to determine effectiveness in reaching the target audience of parents and young children.
● Evaluate current facilities and spaces dedicated to use by youth, children and babies/toddlers to determine if the spaces are easily identifiable, child-friendly, a good location for children’s programming, and include exciting and welcoming decor.
● Develop a plan to follow-up and engage children and young families in other church ministries.
● Consider additional ways Holsten Hall might be utilized for families - perhaps ministry such as a worship service that would be geared toward active young families, Upward Basketball, a family activity day, etc.
● Effectively communicate ministries for young families and children both inside and outside the church through the means of communication listed below, posted in a well-trafficked area of the church, and in those areas where children’s ministries take place.
This evaluation and plan needs to be completed by October 1, 2016.
The pastor, in consultation with the coach, will establish a hospitality group of five to six people by September 1, 2016. The coach will lead a “Hospitality” Workshop to discern the necessary components of an effective system that continually tracks and connects with guests so that they become integrated into faith and the church. The hospitality group will design and implement the church’s hospitality to guests beyond the first time visit, and present it to the Ad Board by December 1, 2016.
The pastor, in consultation with the coach, will establish a team of five to six people to work in the area
of worship by February 1, 2017.
This team is to:
● Study the MissionInsite Report to determine action steps for connection with desired demographic.
● Visit other churches that are connecting to the desired demographic (churches of various sizes).
● Attend a worship planning workshop (e.g., Center for Congregations).
● Institute and implement worship planning process for pastor, staff, and laity.
● Develop a plan to train all people who will operate the respective equipment involved in worship.
MISSING GENERATIONS AND THE NEED TO CONNECT ON SUNDAY MORNING – (LIGONIER UMC – OCT. 2015)
The Congregational survey revealed that the number one concern of the congregation is declining attendance. The consultation team heard repeatedly about the aging of the congregation, and a desire to have more young families with children involved in the life of the church. However, no one articulated a plan for how this would be accomplished or what resources would be made available for this to occur. Also, the Sunday morning experience should be carefully examined to ensure that all ages have the opportunity to appropriately connect for meaningful spiritual growth as new people are reached and included.
DEVELOP A PLAN TO RELATE TO YOUNGER GENERATIONS
In order to develop inspiring, relevant ministries to young adults and parents with children, the pastor will form a Younger Generations Team by April 1, 2016.
The team will develop a plan for ministry that will include the following:
● Evaluate the existing Safe Sanctuaries policy and its implementation
●Visit three congregations of larger size to evaluate their children’s ministry
●Evaluate all current programming to determine effectiveness in reaching the target audience of parents with young children
●Develop a strategy to expand the number of participants involved in current ministries.
●Effectively communicate these ministries inside and outside the church
●Develop additional leaders and servants in these ministries, and equip teachers to effectively teach core Biblical truths in exciting and meaningful ways
●Address childcare needs of younger adults participating in the life of the church
●Evaluate facilities including classroom locations and decor
The pastor, in consultation with the coach, will establish a hospitality group of 5-6 people by May 1, 2016. The coach will lead a “Hospitality” Workshop to discern the necessary components of an effective system that continually tracks and connects with guests so that they become integrated into faith and the church. The hospitality group will design and implement the church’s hospitality to guests beyond the first-time visit, and present it to the Church Council by September 1, 2016.
The pastor, in consultation with the coach, will establish a team of 5-6 people to work in the area of worship by June 1 2016.
This team is to:
●Study the Mystery Guest Report to determine action steps for connection with desired demographic
●Visit other churches that are connecting to the desired demographic (churches of various sizes)
●Attend a worship planning workshop (e.g., Center for Congregations)
● Institute and implement worship planning process for pastor, staff, and laity
●Train all people who will operate the respective equipment involved in worship