Clear Models

After assessing our investment in this ministry, one of the most important factors in developing sustainability with Millennials is to have clarity around a model of ministry.  In our work with churches around the country, we've found that there are really 5 major models of ministry that are being used with Millennials.

Here I choose to talk about these models in biological terms rather that specific architectural language.  The reality of developing a ministry like this is that, while there are certain things you can do ensure sustainability; there is a certain natural growth that takes place.  Often these models look like stages of development, one following after the other, though they don’t have to.  The choice of one model or another also often comes as a response to natural growth in your ministry.

There are probably also other models to be experimented with, though I’ve found these to be the most common.  The key is to look at the alchemy of your environmental factors and decide on success ahead of time in choosing a model of ministry.

Out of these 5 models, success can be found in each of them.  But each of them might take a different mix of sustainable factors in order to find success.  What’s important is for a church to evaluate what sort of resources it has available and is willing to invest in ministry to this group, and then design it’s ministry after the model that fits it best.  Let’s take a look at each of these models and the infrastructure needed for each one.

Model #1 – Single Cell Organism

What it looks like:

Single-cell Millennial ministries often form somewhat naturally in churches and often look like a simple small group or a group of friends in the church that experience life together.  This single cell might have been formed purposefully in order to bring these people together, or accidentally as these young adults might have naturally found each other.  Often people in your church might recognize this small group of college students, young adults, or singles and simply fold them into the existing structure of your ministry without putting any specific emphasis on them at all.  Typically, this group is not much more than ten or fifteen in size and, though some of that number might cycle in or out, it will always come back down to about a dozen or so.

Why you might choose this model:

This model can be chosen for a number of reasons.  You might have a small amount of resources to aim towards this generation.  Your church might be lacking in any significant fishing pond either in the local area or in your congregation at all.  It might just be that there are only 8-12 people between the ages of 18-30 in your congregation as it is aging.  You also might think about choosing this ministry if you are interested in starting or re-starting a more developed, multi-cellular ministry to Millennials and you want to begin with a core team you can develop and deploy later.  This model might also be a good choice if you have a volunteer as a point leader or a staff member without a lot of hours to put towards developing the ministry.

What success looks like in this model:

You can have success with the single-cell model of ministry with Millennials.  Remember our ultimate goal is to help achieve engagement in the life and leadership of the church with them – that doesn't necessarily have to mean you need hundreds of them in your church.  Success here most often looks a lot like traditional discipleship structures.  It might mean deploying a leader who can simply love and disciple the members of the group and help them build long-lasting relationships with each other and with other members of the group.  It would also be key to help this group not become an isolated cells but to bring them into the life of the church intentionally.  Maybe you would ask them to host a ministry event as a group for the whole church or maybe this means simply developing a close relationship between this cell and the senior pastor.  This could allow for the group members to feel connected to the leadership of the church and for the pastor to keep his pulse on the needs of their generation.  Depending on your ability to resource this ministry for growth, success could look like equipping and training this single cell to reach out to their friends and reproduce themselves into two or more groups.

Infrastructure and resourcing:

Typically this is a cheap model of ministry to run.  You shouldn't need a full-time staff member to maintain this model of ministry and you could task the right volunteer to lead the ministry.  Be careful, however, to not overestimate a volunteer’s success with leading a single-cell organism and begin to place unrealistic expectations of growth.  A church could probably get away with funding this at a “below-average” ratio in order to provide some simple resources, but again, expecting the ministry to grow and thrive without providing adequate investment would most likely cause the ministry to flounder and fail. The right leader here would be able to build relationships effectively with the members of this cell, draw them together and coach and disciple them in meaningful ways.  A small fishing pond within your own church should be adequate to resource this model of ministry.

How to begin this type of model:

There are two basic approaches to begin this style of ministry: asking the group to gather itself or equipping a leader to gather the group.  While either option might get the ministry off the ground, groups that tend to gather themselves often struggle to find longevity without a leader.  The best possible scenario would be to find someone who has the time, energy and capabilities to run this ministry and have someone equip them to start reaching this group.  From there the leader can begin to build relationships with Millennials in the church and set a date for a first meeting.

The type of gathering in the single cell ministry can really begin as anything.  Some choose a small group Bible study model, while other choose a sports league model like gathering weekly for a night of volleyball, and still others opt for a purely social gathering as a way for create community regularly.  Any of these options can be successful as long as you are creating consistency for the gathering.

Model #2 – Double Cell Organism

What it looks like:

The second model of ministry looks a lot like a single-cell model that has found success.  In fact, this model is often not sustainable long-term without naturally morphing into model #3 or back into model #1.

The double-cell organism is a model that has two major nodes of ministry happening at the same time that may or may not have an overlapping reach. 

For example, your church might have a small group of young adults that are meeting on a regular basis and a small group of college students as well.  Or your church might provide rides to students at the local college to worship services and a weekly program dedicated to young adults.  Or your weekly program might also have a regular service component to it that draws in other Millennials.

Why you might choose this model:

Churches might be finding their single-cell is not reaching all the young adults that it could and decides to add on another component.  This is often the time where a church decides if it will develop a specific night of programming aimed at this group.

You might chose this model because of a wider set of needs by the Millennials you could be reaching; they might not need social interactions but they might need transportation and relevant teaching.  You might choose this model based on your fishing pond or your staffing level.  Most often the double-cell organism model is less of an actual choice and more of an outflow of the success of their work with the single-cell organism.  Their ministry has reproduced and they have added ministry.

What success looks like in this model:

Success at this model, for most, is often purely numerical.  This is the point in the development of ministry to young adults and college students where the church begins to feel successful and starts to feel enthusiasm about the numbers of Millennials they are reaching.  But actual success in this model should not be drawn on just numbers.

Team building becomes an important measure of success for this ministry in this model.  As the ministry begins to grow and add additional ministry opportunities, it’s important that the point leader maintains the relational environment and begin to build teams of other volunteers.  These teams could be of peer-level leaders, having a group of young adults lead their own bible studies, or these teams could involve caring, older adults that want to invest into the lives of the next generation.

Infrastructure and resourcing:

Some churches are able to continue to find success with a volunteer-led ministry in this model, however most consider adding staffing hours in some way when the ministry moves to a double-cell organism.  As the double-cell organism moves between wanting to become a multi-cellular organism or back down to a single-cell model, most often the staffing choices will drive this change.  Churches that proactively staff for growth often find that their double-cell organism reproduces rather quickly.

Depending on the size of the program that might be created in this model, you might not need more than a part-time staff member to lead this, if you choose to add staffing.  However, it might be wise to think about investing in a full-time person in order to ensure the right leader and create space to maintain relational connections throughout the week as well as team building.

Double-cell models of ministry should seek to try to lean more to the $1,000 per person rule of thumb in order to keep it from sliding back into a single cell organism.  Additionally, your fishing pond should be on the larger side and most likely should include some pond that is exterior to your own church’s congregation.

How to begin this type of model:

Beginning a double-cell organism model of ministry can be done out of a simple evolution of a growing single cell organism.  It can also be done by design from the beginning.  In designing a ministry for success from the beginning in this model, it’s important to plan ahead with infrastructure before publically launching the ministry.  Consistency is key to success in this model so be sure you have answered questions such as

o   Have we recruited and trained all the volunteers we would need to run this ministry?

o   Do we have a calendar and schedule of all meetings, events, programs or outings for the year including locations?

o   What methods will we use to communicate to our audience?

o   How do we expect our leader(s) to spend their time on this ministry every week?

Model #3 – Multi-Cellular Organism

What it looks like:

Effective Millennial ministry in a multi-cellular model of ministry has some typical similarities across different ministries around the country.

They typically include some sort of large group gathering.  This gathering could be the Sunday morning worship service, but typically that’s only effective in this model if that worship service is designed to engage Millennials with things like worship style and environment.  This large group is often the main programming feature of the ministry and is most successful when promoting a highly relational environment.  It could include worship, teaching, prayer ministry, or guided conversations.

Multi-cellular ministries often include a small group system as a part of its ministry as well.  This may reach a different crowd than the large group gathering but will most likely have some overlap.  These small groups tend to meet more than once a month, though not necessarily every week and are designed to build relationships and provide opportunities for faith-based conversations about real-life issues.  These are often not about learning theological truth so much as Biblical truth that is applicable to every day life.  These small groups might be peer-led or involve older adults as leaders.  Some churches have even found a lot of success in taking their Millennial small groups and engaging them in the same system and curriculum as the overall small group system of the church.

In addition to large & small groups, this model usually employs some sort of service component where young adults are engaged in making impact in their community either in short-term, one-off experiences or in developing relationships with organizations or groups in their community for long-term impact.  Week-long mission experiences are also common ways to engage Millennials in meaningful contributions throughout the year.

Multi-cellular model ministries also engage in a variety of other ancillary ministry opportunities including things like social opportunities on a regular basis, worship events, leadership development training courses, discipleship retreats or engagement or pre-marriage events.

Why you might choose this model:

This model is often a choice of churches that have a large fishing pond of Millennials in their area that they are looking to reach.  It’s also a choice by churches that significantly value reaching into the next generation at their core. 

Churches don’t tend to choose this model by accident but as an intentional move towards reaching Millennials.  Some view this as a leadership development farm system where they cultivate growth in young leaders before moving them into other areas of the church.  Other churches may choose to partner with other churches or organizations to create a multi-cellular ministry.

What success looks like in this model:

It’s both easier and more difficult to succeed with reaching Millennials using this model.  With multiple opportunities reaching different types of people, more resources and greater reach, it’s much easier to draw a crowd of young adults and college students together and raise your numerical impact.  However, once this model of ministry begins to take shape, it’s far more difficult to effectively involve them in the life and leadership of the church as a whole. 

The ministry would become so sizable that it becomes the substitute for the church to many who attend.  To be successful with this model means the leader(s) must become diligent in pushing their Millennial ministry toward the church and pulling the church towards the Millennials.

Some ministries have chosen to be very intentional with all the pieces of their ministry in order to account for this need.  Some examples might include:

o   Specifically shaping the large group experience to not look or feel like a worship service and encouraging Millennials to attend the intergenerational worship services

o   Drawing Millennials into the leadership of the Sunday morning worship services as part of the worship teams, ushers, greeters, etc.

o   Building their small group system into the regular small group system and having the church market their groups along with everything else

o   Naming their ministry after the church, instead of giving it a separate identity (i.e. “St. Luke’s Young Adult ministry” rather “thrive”)

o   Drawing their service programming into the rest of the life of the church so Millennials are serving alongside of others in the church.

o   Creating a ministry oversight team that involves other generations and key leaders in the church.

o   Developing a mentorship or coaching aspect to the ministry that engages older adults in one-on-one relationships with Millennials.

Infrastructure and resourcing:

Typically this model of ministry needs to be resourced like any other major ministry of the church.  Multiple full-time staff members might be needed in order to achieve momentum and prevent leadership burnout, volunteer teams need to be recruited and trained, and proactive planning needs to be in place before the ministry launches.

This model of ministry will need to plan for spending at least the $1,000 per person ratio in order to get the critical mass needed to build momentum.  However, once that is achieved, this model could actually achieve a lot of growth without a large influx of dollars.

The leader of this ministry needs to be dynamic and relational, but their real success will come by being able to put into place key infrastructures of ministry and teams of volunteers.  Someone who thinks “systems” and “equipping” will be needed to provide leadership to this model of ministry.  Additionally, multiple fishing ponds with different types of Millennials will drive much of this model’s growth.  It can be done with one very large fishing pond, but usually it will require the mix of multiple groups of people.

How to begin this type of model:

It’s not recommended that this be the first model of ministry your church uses in reaching Millennials.  There is a lot of room for mistakes and errors that can take place in spinning multiple plates in ministry.  You might not have the right gift mix in leadership, the church might not have yet acclimated itself towards reaching Millennials, or you might not be able to start all the different pieces of the ministry at once.

A good approach for a church with this model of ministry in mind would be to walk through the other two models with intention and purpose.  Start with the first model, with the goal of reproducing the cell within six months.  Spend another six months with the second model with the desire to reproduce again in another six months.  At that point you could have four different pieces of a young adult ministry in place within 18 months and you will be forced to think intentionally about building the infrastructure to support a multi-cellular organism and you will have trained a large team of leaders that you can begin to build the ministry with.  This will give your ministry a trajectory of learning from errors without torpedoing a ministry needlessly.

Model #4 –Multiplying Organism

What it looks like:

The fourth model of ministry with young adults that we are seeing used with some success is a bit different in it’s goals though it might look similar to the multi-cellular approach.

The multiplying approach sets out to develop ministry towards Millennials not as a programmatic outreach of the existing congregation, but as a way for the existing church to birth a whole new congregation. 

In this approach the ministry looks a lot like model #3 by building large group, small group, mission & community-building opportunity.  However instead of trying to connect itself to the church, it’s separating it’s own congregational identity, specifically through creating it’s large group meeting as a separate worship experience.

Here the point leader is really functioning as the pastor to this new congregation.

Why you might choose this model:

Some churches use this in a “multi-site church” approach where the new congregation is really just a part of the large church with the same senior pastor and governing board.  A “one church in many locations” approach is not only becoming more popular but it is highly effective in creating new opportunities for leadership in the church without removing older generations from existing leadership roles.  Birthing new church congregations is also one of the most effective methods of reaching unchurched people in our communities, of which most Millennials are a part of already.

What success looks like in this model:

Success in this model looks a lot like success in any other congregation as it builds impact into it’s community, financial sustainability and spiritual outreach and maturity.  However, this model as a tool in reaching Millennials must also be highly intentional about discipleship and leadership development.  Multiplying congregations is a great way to engage Millennials in direct leadership of the church, but we must take care to equip them for such a task.

Infrastructure and resourcing:

Resourcing of this model starts to take on a bit of a different dynamic as multiplying congregations tend to receive income from weekly offerings.  However the fishing ponds in the community remain an important factor as well as the staffing ratios.  There are plenty of great resources available across the country and in the appendix of this book to help you take into account the resources needed to launch new congregations.

One important factor to recognize, however is that it will be difficult to expect congregations made up solely of Millennials to be self-sustaining.  By being young adults, most have yet to develop the income levels and the disciplines in giving faithfully that might be required to fully-support their own ministry.

Model #5 –Purely Organic Millennial Ministry

What it looks like:

This model of ministry is significantly different than some of the other models though may have some things in common with model #4.  Organic ministry doesn’t look much like anything is being done on purpose at all to reach out to Millennials that lasts very long.

Organic ministry rejects traditional methods of programming.  It’s not focused on creating services, on teaching, on small groups or service projects.  Its simply focused on driving relationships and empowering leaders.

In this model, a church might find a plethora of avenues for getting Millennials in their congregation to interact with each other or with the rest of the congregation.  This could involve potluck meals, sports leagues, short-lived small group experiences or more.  Everything about these opportunities is designed to draw relationships out and connect people to each other.

Somewhere in the midst of these opportunities, leaders of the church are intentional about finding and equipping people to continue some of these opportunities on their own.  If someone has an idea for a running club, the church helps them build and launch it.  If someone has a heart for reaching the inner city, the church helps him or her build and launch that ministry.  The key is to continue to draw relationships together in working on these different opportunities.

Why you might choose this model:

This model is one you might choose if your entire church is highly motivate to function in a true discipleship paradigm.  This model typically only works if it’s a method employed by the church as a whole.  If your church tends to function with a programmatic menu, this approach may prove disappointing with church leaders.

This is a model to choose if you have a number of key people who are capable of initiating and leading organic ministry opportunities, people who are passionate about something that other people can get on board with.

What success looks like in this model:

Success in this model revolves around relationships.  There is no great way to measure this approach as there aren’t programs to take attendance and new opportunities will come and go throughout.

To measure success here, you might find ways of “taking the temperature” of discipleship, leadership development and relationships.  Be intentional about listening for and telling stories of life change that happens through organic relationships.  Train people to create disciples.  Find ways to continue to present new opportunities lead by new people.

Infrastructure and resourcing:

Probably the most important efforts around infrastructure and resourcing here are folded into the existing infrastructure and resources of the church.  Other than those, communication systems will be key.  Whether that’s an active online presence, up-front announcements and recruiting, weekly bulletin information or a vibrant social network, finding highly effective methods of communication will get Millennials quickly connected to the seemingly “underground” of organic ministry.

The most important factor in understanding long-term success and stability here is to set realistic expectations based on a clear model of ministry.  These five models can easily move from one and into another, though they certainly don’t have to.  A church may use a single-cell model for years and find success with that model or they may have a thriving multi-cellular ministry that’s building the next generation.  They key isn’t to pick the correct model, it’s to pick the model that fits the best in your church’s ministry.

Let’s not make ministry decisions haphazardly but let’s decide the best way our church is able to reach into the next generation and commit ourselves to engaging them in the leadership of the church.

Realistic expectations, clear models of ministry and appropriate levels of investment are all measurable factors that can determine success in our ministry.