Building Through Purpose and Relationship
Dr. Charles Arn, Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center
There are a variety of kinds of groups that you can begin through your older adult ministry. It makes good sense to have more than one kind of group, so that different people will have different opportunities to become involved, based on their unique interests and needs. Here are five different kinds of groups:
1. Covenant Groups are characterized by:
- Long term commitment. Members agree to meet between 6 and 12 months, with the average being 9 months (Fall through Spring).
- Group Consent. Members determine the group’s topic, length of commitment, and ground rules.
- Group Size. Ideal size is between 4 and 12. Fewer than 4 or more than 12 frustrate the purpose of a covenant group.
- Homogeneity. Group members often have similar ages, marital status, interests, occupations and/or combination of the above. The more characteristics members have in common, the more likely the group will work.
2. Study Groups. Many people who would shy away from a covenant group will be open to attending a study group. These groups are characterized by:
- Pre determined topic. The group focuses on a specific theme or topic selected by church leaders prior to the first meeting.
- Shorter commitment. Study groups usually last from 6 to 10 weeks, although members may choose to continue beyond that.
- Heterogeneous. Because these groups attract people with a common interest or concern, members often vary in age, marital status, and other characteristics.
3. Outreach Groups. This type of group invites non Christians to be a part of the discussion. Features of this type of group include:
- Topical. This format lends itself to investigative study. The text may be a modern version of the Bible or a Christian book, and the subjects can vary widely (i.e., Who Is Jesus?” “ Healing Our Image of God,” “Parenting,” “Justice… Family Relationships,” etc.)
- Low commitment. Members choose their own level of commitment and are not pressured to participate beyond their point of comfort.
- Varied size. Membership in the group tends to change from week to week. An ideal size is between 8 and 15.
- Meeting place. Outreach groups are best held at a neutral site (home, office or restaurant), rather than a church building.
4. Action Groups. These groups, sometimes referred to as “task groups,” exist for a purpose beyond themselves. Action groups are usually:
- Task oriented. They form and exist to accomplish a goal rising out of a need or interest that group members have in common.
- Term limited. If the task is readily achievable, the group will generally last no longer than it takes to achieve that task.
- Passion driven. Members who are attracted to join an action group are people with a strong conviction and desire to participate.
5. Support/ Recovery Groups. In contrast to action groups, which exist for a purpose outside of themselves, support groups exist exclusively for the benefit of the members. Characteristics include:
- Emotional and spiritual support. Group members encourage each other in the particular areas of need. There is usually a high emotional bond among members in support/ recovery groups.
- Outreach potential. While not evangelistic per se, the spiritual content of these groups often plant seeds in non churched individuals that bear fruit later.
- Leadership. Occasionally professionals in a particular field of interest lead these groups. If not, a pre selected curriculum can provide material for discussion.
- Size. When the group is larger than 12 members, it can break into more manageable smaller groups for discussion and sharing.
- Location. A church meeting room or fellowship is appropriate.
The time-test principle of church growth applies to senior adult ministry, as well. It is: “new groups = new growth.” I have found that when a senior adult ministry begins a new group for a new segment of the senior adult generation, they will find new receptivity and new growth. Try it and see!