Steps for One Degree Change

Steps for One Degree Change:  We all agree that we need to reach the 18-30 generation...  But reaching our "non-customers" (this generation is largely missing from our churches - click here to hear Nicky Gumbel on this) is a big challenge.

Many clergy tell me they are overwhelmed by the work they are currently facing and yet we cannot put off reaching out to people who are 18-30.   So here are 30 “1 hour” steps that can bring a “one degree change in direction” bringing a huge impact over time, especially when linked to strategic decision making.

PRAYING: “all revivals are preceded by prayer movements”

1)  observe a popular YA service locally
Sunday 7pm Refresh Rawtenstall  7pm Sacred Trinity 5.30pm Audacious 10.30am Kings Bolton 

2)  participate in a “Prayer Storm” or YA prayer meeting

3) run YAM season of creative prayer
- you might photograph YA housing, colleges, travel and use it to guide prayer

4) run a few pop-up gazebo café sessions to engage with people and you'll be surprised how God speaks to you.
- Twitter @sacredsalford to see Sacred Trinity using fairtrade, loverunning, Easter cross and other gazebo themed sessions
 

EXPLORING: “see I am doing a new thing”

5) Compare your church website vs a popular YA church & make a list of possible changes
-see churches listed in 1).  Click here for info on creating a successful church website.

6) Get trained in Twitter and Facebook
-ask a YA to show you and follow @markc1830 tweets
-book in to excellent FREE Bring Digital digital marketing training events
7) Listen to a YA & learn/discover/implement something new

8) Read www.mark1830.blogspot.com and email your YAs events

9) Read “Annecodote to Evidence” report
- click here 

10) Book Uni outreach session w/ YA Missioner
- Mark Cowling has links with Bolton and Salford University and engages with students through chaplaincy outreach.  It's a great way to get equipped to speak to YAs.

11) Audit your parish for YAs in numbers and needs
-Parish reports from Alison Peacock give us some of the data.  Mark Cowling can supply population by age maps.  Visiting streets and meeting people you can build up a more accurate picture of needs. 

12) From 11) indentify your top 5 YA missional communities (wishlist)
-A "missional community" is formed when a group of people decide to invest in a specific part of the community.  It's often geographic such as an estate but it can be by common interest eg mothers with toddlers or men who'll play 5-aside football on a Thursday night.

13) Read the on-line marriage preparation material -its a reminder of some of the issues that young adults are facing
-click here

14) Visit a Messy Church
-see the registered groups here or email markcowling@manchester.anglican.org

15) Visit a session at the Bolton Intern Centre & put up a poster at your church advertising Full-time and Night School options.-see the website here or email markcowling@manchester.anglican.org

16) Book YA Missioner to preach (all age or adult) AND/OR visit to PCC or Housegroup
-email markcowling@manchester.anglican.org

17) Watch START Course DVD,  PARENTING Course DVD, MARRIAGE Course DVD, ROB BELL NOOMA DVD
-these are all courses that work well with young adults and are worth watching to get equipped

18) Listen to a Call Mcr Podcast
-a podcast aimed at young adults interviewing people around Gtr Mcr who are reaching for the life of God, click here

19) Complete the YAM survey-link to be made live soon

20) Listen to Toby Bassford on-line talk

-click here 

DOING: “go & make disciples of all peoples”

21) Invite people to become your Young Adult Champions (YACs)
-3 key roles: i. be a conduit for YA news via website & newsletters  ii. attend an annual YAC mtg to hear about YAM & be inspired to grow & pioneer iii. be a resource to developing YAM plans in the local church

22) Ask your mother&toddlers to rate interest in the “10 ideas for mum&tots”.  Similar for uniform movements.-link to be made live soon

23) PCC approval to pay YA Missioner Diocese Fund £5/mth
- click here for more info on why and how

24) Initiate a Young Adults Group (with YA Missioner’s help)

25) Develop a church YAM plan: sowing, growing, harvesting-
Click here for away day presentation and the session plan here

26) Invite and book a 5 a-side football pitch (cheer if you can’t run)
-if you want 18-30 men football is the easiest ministry to reach them.  Speak to Mark to find out how anyone can do it. Also, look at Fit4Life below.

27) Invite a runner to set up a church or school Love Running group-it's a great way to reach our customers to meet our "non customers".  Speak to Mark Cowling to find out how anyone can do it. 

28) Promote YA summer trips to Taize and Soul Survivor/Momentum
-Literally thousands of YAs attend each summer.  See here for more info 

29) Invite people to visit/participate in YAM projects e.g. Caring For Exoffenders project in Salford (Tues) or Bolton (Fri).
-Speak to Mark Cowling to find out more

30) Pilot “Warm Pool” outreach model e.g. Fit4Life (click here) or BWFC Faith Family Football on 24/9/14 (click here)
A Warm Pool event is one where there is common ground between people exploring faith and those who have already come to faith.

For some further tips on a making a one degree change click here