Archive for May, 2010

Each individual has his or her own mix of motivational needs.

Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

How easy is it to give meaningful recognition to ministry volunteers? It tends to be one of those ‘no win’ questions for those in leadership, doesn’t it? There are as many ways to ‘recognize’ as there are volunteers. And yet we often do it so poorly. I recently came across an Australian group known as OzVPM that has decided to award a national medal to all volunteers in Australia after a set number of years of service, regardless of what was done or what position was held. Noteworthy, perhaps, but I would like to suggest that, while longevity in volunteerism is an important criterion, it should not be the only one and certainly not the primary one.

Each person is different. For some, a medal or a certificate is just the ticket for recognition. I recall a deacon in our first pastorate that proudly wore on his chest a long cluster of ‘faithfulness award’ medals acknowledging perfect SS attendance. And Rotarians who become Paul Harris Fellows receive a special certificate, a gold pin, and a gold medallion on a blue-and-gold ribbon.

Each individual has his or her own mix of motivational needs. Valuable recognition takes this into account when looking for the best way of saying “thank you.” Remember that recognition only has value if it is underpinned by an informal, day-to-day appreciation of the person and the contribution they make.

In servant ministry, perhaps longevity is not as important as what impact the individual has had in that time. Isn’t it more meaningful if we can say, “Thank you for making THIS difference in the lives of THAT person or THOSE persons” than “Thank you for sticking with us for five years?”

I get my shoes shined at a stand near my home where I discovered the men working there are Christians. One plays the organ in his church. The other, a Seventh Day Adventist, mentors young people in his church and neighborhood. These men may not have many medals on their chests, but they deserve recognition and I try to give them mine each time I see them.

Olympic athletes don’t get medals for practicing or just showing up. They have to win, or at least place high enough for their accomplishment to be noticed. It’s a great idea to elevate volunteers to public hero status, but whatever the ‘medal’ looks like, let’s be certain that it affirms them and their contribution genuinely.

What do you think? What is your experience with ‘recognition?’ What is or was most satisfying to you? What is the best way to recognize servant ministry success? Perhaps you have an idea worth sharing with your CASANetwork colleagues.

“I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived…they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.”                                                                            —The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 16:17-19)

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Meet Dr. Dolphus Weary at ILC Atlanta!

Meet Dr. Dolphus Weary at the 2010 CASA Network International Leadership Conference. Even if you don’t know him, you’ve got to love a guy who tells you right up front, “I Ain’t Comin’ Back!” (the title of his inspiring autobiography). Here’s the fresh taste of a man you will love when you meet him at ILC—Atlanta— a man who wants us all to be “Looking at Things through God’s Eyes.”

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About Tomorrow is an original audio program featuring the first-hand perspectives of more than 20 people who have walked through the pain of grief.  Their honest, open, and sometimes emotional comments will assure you that your feelings are normal and that even though life will never be the same, it can still be very, very good.

ww w.GrowingThroughGrief.com

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Robert W. Chism

Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

Research confirms the benefit of older adult members

“God’s plan is ageless and unbiased” is an expressive new midlife direction tagline of Forerunner of Faith, a second half intergenerational ministry at Village Church of Gurnee, Illinois. Society along with the Church is obsessed with youth, even with societal aging. It is generally accepted that age is an empty variable which does not consider gender, race, disability, health, fitness, education, longevity, or the choices one has made concerning nutrition, smoking, drinking alcohol, exercise, and religious conviction which impacts one’s health, vitality, well being, and ultimate mortality. Fortunately, greater awareness, understanding, sensitivity, positive attitudes between the generations, and share of mind is evolving through cutting edge research, education, conferences and publications by Institute for American Church Growth, Barna Research, CASA Academy, CASA Network, and Dr Amy Hanson.

The Boomers are fast becoming “older adults”, though they shun and detest the label. Yet “older adult” is considered to be the politically correct designation for them, since it now includes three categories: Middle Adults (50-69); Seniors (70-79); and Elderly (80+).

Based on a new type of older adult, one that are active, healthy, and capable of making significant contributions, as well as a bold new strategy that values each generation, there is great potential for new approaches to intergenerational ministry and to enlist the talents and passions of those in the second half of life.

Research confirms the benefit of older adult members:

Giving: contribute 70% of the average church budget

Stability: change their address 50% as often as the national average

Volunteer: spend 2 to 3 times as many available hours than any other group

Kingdom Building: is the fastest growing population segment through 2040

Dr. Herb Shore of the Jewish Retirement Center in Dallas, Texas developed categories to differentiate appropriate leadership focus for each group by the church:

Go-Go: They need to be “challenged” to pursue Kingdom goals.

Slow-Go: They require ministry “adjustments” to allow participation.

Can’t-Go: “Planning” will enable them to make contributions.

Won’t Go: “Focus groups, training, and relationship building” can evangelize this group. This speaks volumes for the need to redesign programs or create new positions

Based on the uncertainties of today’s society, older adult population explosion over the next 30 years, and given that over half (58%) in this group have no religious affiliation or won’t go, the need for older adult evangelize (in and outreach) program redesign or new position creation is apparent.

During the 20th century, longevity has increased by 20 years. How or even if, an individual benefits from these added years depend on the result of personal lifestyle choices. Inactivity, nutrition, smoking, drinking alcohol, religious conviction, impacts one’s health, well being, and ultimate mortality. The need for new older adult wellness ministry creation seems obvious.

Older adults have more personal inherited wealth than any other group. Since approximately 88 percent of their wealth is tied up in non-cash assets, the need for stewardship redesign or new position creation of generosity and benevolence development should be clear.

Older adult research reveals a bottom up leadership preference, upfront full disclosure, distain for menial roles or ageist attitudes, and an impatience tendency. Church leaders may need to be more open, receptive to new ideas, willing to let go more, share responsibility, and involve members more in the decision-making. Areas of redesign may include: Demographic research and planning; Older adult evangelism; Generational connectivity; Older adult and youth ministry staff budget parity; Annual goal development, measurement, and reporting; Accountability of both membership and church leadership; Annual business meeting marketing and Digital communication.

Some churches have developed older adult ministry positions that are serving senior and elder adults well, but are not attractive to middle adults. New positions need to be designed to foster wellness, evangelize adults in midlife; and cultivate generosity/benevolence in this group. Whether your church is small or large, the question is not is a second half ministry position affordable; it is rather, can senior pastors afford not to consider multiple new ministry positions given societal aging, healthy longevity, and middle adult faith formation?

In conclusion, what can you exemplify for the Lord?

  • Life Course Ministry
  • Ageless Evangelism
  • Successful-Biblical Aging
  • Positive Longevity Attitude
  • Intergenerational Sensitivity
  • Generosity and Benevolent Life Style

For a copy of Forerunners of Faith’s philosophy and structure; and/ or Pastor of Development and Middle Adult Ministry position description, e-mail chism.w.robert@comcast.net.

Robert W. Chism is a member of the Builder generation and “a practicing Boomer without a license.” Having retired in 2005, he has refocused his 24/7 energy toward midlife and beyond ministry and applied gerontology. He is a member of Catalyst of Lake County; CASA Network and serves on their prayer team; and is enrolled in CASA Academy. Bob is Chairman of Forerunners of Faith. Bob and Karen, his wife of 47 years, reside in Antioch, Illinois; have three adult children and six grandchildren.

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Pastor for Adult Ministries, Alliance Church, Lancaster PA

Joe Burchill grew up in Western Pennsylvania. Following graduation from Toccoa Falls College, he was on staff at the Corry Alliance Church for three years, then joined the staff at Community Alliance in Butler, PA. After four years, Joe and his wife Joy joined the Western PA District staff of the Christian & Missionary Alliance where he served for sixteen years as the Director of Christian Education and Administration. Joe has traveled extensively as a teacher trainer, curriculum developer and consultant for the C&MA and other evangelical organizations. During his time in Punxsutawney, Joe served on various county and state education boards and completed his master’s degree in adult and community education at Indiana University of PA. In 2002, the Burchills moved to Lancaster, PA, to join the staff of the National Office of the C&MA as Associate Director of Life Impact Ministries.

Joe joined the Lancaster Alliance Church Staff in August of 2009 as Pastor for Adult Ministries. Joe and Joy live in Landisville and enjoy their two college-aged children. Beth is a senior at Penn State majoring in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management at the University Park campus. Nathan is a freshman elementary education major at the Harrisburg Campus of Penn State and serves his local church in the music and adult education departments. You can contact Joe at jburchill@lancastercma.org.

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Things we have learned about building relationships across racial barriers.

Dr. Dolphus Weary

Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

When I was growing up in the 50’s and 60’s in Mississippi, my grandfather  tried to teach me how to pick cotton with two hands. I would off start picking with both hands and then my mind would drift and I would begin to “day dream” and pick with one hand again. After giving me instructions for about six times, I was caught ‘day dreaming” again and he pulled up a  cotton stalk and began to beat me across my back.

My mom had to grease my back because of the pain and swelling. I was daydreaming about a better day. I was daydreaming about wishing that poverty would go away and wishing that my skin color would be different. Being born black in Mississippi meant that I had two strikes against me and the only thing I wanted to do was run away.

I received a basketball scholarship to L.A. Baptist College (now Masters College). I remember saying, “Lord, I am leaving Mississippi and I ain’t never comin back’, but God brought me back. We (my wife Rosie and I) returned to Mendenhall Mississippi after college and seminary in 1971 to work to make a difference in the rural poor community. We wanted to see the poor through the eyes of God.

God sees the poor as those precious souls that Jesus died for, so we began working with a wholisitc Christian ministry that eventually became a Health Center, Thrift Store, Farm, an Adult Education Program, an After- School Tutorial Program, an Elementary school, and a Community Law Office as we did evangelism and discipleship. As a result, cities from around the country learned from this model.

In 1998, I began to work with Mission Mississippi, a statewide movement that works within the Christian Community to eliminate racism. For the past twelve years, I have worked to encourage Mississippi Christians to see each other through God’s eyes.  When I first began, I thought that 95% of  my time, needed to be spent in the white community and only 5% in the black community. I quickly learned that neither the White Christian Community nor the Black Christian Community was (is) ready to see each other through God’s eyes.  Today we realize that Asian Christians, African American Christians, Hispanic Christians, and White Christians all need to work on ways to see each other through God’s eyes!

Christians who are white or black read, Mark 12:30-31, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”, they tend to see their “physical” neighbors through their eyes. All of us need to work on seeing each other through God’s eyes overall. To do this, here are a few things we have learned about building relationships across racial barriers.

1. Relationships require Quality Time

We proactively schedule what we value. For a relationship to grow, it must be valued enough to invest our most precious resource – quality time. We must give not only time, but important time, to make a relationship work. Leftover “when we get to it” time will actually work towards a contrary end. People who feel they are being “Squeezed in” will not feel valued.

2. Relationships require Personal Initiative

Relationships require one or both persons to make a call – to make a move. The best relationships have an element of risk – of stepping beyond insecurities and inviting another to a shared risk. When we think in terms of serving rather than positioning, we open the door to the third requirement for a successful relationship.

3. Relationships require Honest Exchange

Human nature resists discomfort and honesty. Deep heartfelt honesty is uncomfortable on many levels. But once that honesty has occurred, the depth of relationship and intimacy grows exponentially.  Vulnerable honesty creates a context of trust. That trust becomes the context for shedding our emotional presuppositions and openly hearing the other person’s heart and perspective.  For racial healing  to occur, hard conversations must take place.

We have not yet arrived, I have not arrived but we are learning, I am learning how to engage barriers that separate us through God’s eyes.  My prayer is to encourage those I encounter to begin the process of choosing to see others through God’s eyes.

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Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

Use this survey to get honest opinions from the members of your church 50+. Use the insights gained to find weak spots in your ministry offerings and engage members in the improvement process.

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