|
 By Derl Keefer
I confess; I am directionally challenged! Even coming out of my own driveway my wife will say, “Why are you going this way; the store is the other direction?” After years of frustration and “lostness,” my wife gave me a wonderful gift . . . a GPS! Inside this little computerized box are hundreds maybe thousands of maps. Just punch in the right address and miraculously a map appears. Then a voice speaks these beautiful words: “Turn right” or “Turn left” or “in .7 miles take exit 10.” Now I can confidently go out of the driveway and know where I am going. So, leaders, is your Prime Time Ministries going in the right direction? The following suggestions can help your Prime Time Ministries group reach the goals you have planned for them. Pursue an effective and successful ministry. The Prime Time Ministries director serves as a member of the Adult Ministries Council. The Prime Time Ministries director and planning committee is responsible for making, calendaring, promoting, and implementing ministries and programs for senior adults in the local church. Communication, coordination, and cooperation with the senior pastor, the Adult Ministries director, and the Sunday School Board will better ensure an effective and successful program. Write out a vision statement. The over arching goal of Prime Time Ministries is the salvation, spiritual nurture, growth, and equipping of senior adults for service and ministry. Contemplate: What is the purpose of your present ministry? What are is the ministry doing to promote spiritual growth? How is the program equipping senior adults for ministry and service? Develop a strategy to implement and enhance your vision statement. Enlist a strong, visionary Prime Time council that can encourage, challenge, and lead senior adults to explore and reach the goals you have set for your Prime Time Ministries. Strategy might include: - Determine the demographics, needs, concerns, passions, and values of senior adults in your local church. Demographics for your state and city are available at many web sites (For example: http://www.city-data.com/). Click here to view demographics of the Church of the Nazarene. (http://www.nazarene.org/ministries/administration/researchcenter/display.aspx)
- Create and administer a survey to assess the interests, wants, and needs of the senior adults in your church.
- Invite your pastoral staff to give suggestions and guidance.
Annual planning. Plan and calendar a variety of events that include fun, fellowship, and ministry opportunities. The sky is the limit! Click here to view “Ideas for Prime Time Adults.” (http://www.nazarene.org/files/docs/Ideas%20for%20Prime%20Time%20Adults.pdf) Communication is vital. Promote and advertise your Prime Time Ministries events. Explore and experiment (phone brigade, email blasts, bulletin announcement, platform emphasis, letters, pda, calendar of events on a bulletin board, etc.) to find what ways or combination of ways that best inform senior adults of upcoming events. Evaluate your Prime Time Ministries. Periodically examine your Prime Time Ministries program and make needed adjustments. - Is it limiting itself to a focused age group?
- Is it providing a variety of creative, exciting, and challenging events?
- Is it making a difference in the life of senior adults, the local church, and your community?
Just as using a GPS or following a roadmap helps assure we end up at our destination; following these steps can help your Prime Time Ministries be more effective in achieving the vision you have set. |
Prime Time
Prime Time Day is observed by Nazarene congregations on National Grandparent’s Day, the first Sunday after Labor Day. On this Sunday, Nazarene churches across the US set aside time to express appreciation for the work, sacrifice, and ministry senior adults have given to their families, church, and communities. 
By Derl Keefer
