Demographic Targeting

Primary Question Is there a Spiritual Vacuum?

It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. Reaching out to a Ministry Focus Group involves the balancing act of being “in the world but not of it.”

. 1. Why should I have a ministry focus group? 2. Why can’t I just try to reach everyone? 3. That’s what Jesus did, didn’t He? He wasn’t selective! 5 Common Questions

4. If I announce a ministry focus group, won’t I be excluding people? 5. What do I do with the people I already have who aren’t in the ministry focus group? Ministry Focus Group

Is It Biblical? What Jesus taught (Matt 10:5-6) “Do not go among the Gentiles or any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.” (NIV)

Paul’s Ministry “For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry an apostle to the Gentiles.” (Gal 2:8 NIV)

Ministry Focus Group Small focus at the beginning... THEN expand your focus after a base for ministry has been built.

Ministry Focus Group Most churches are effective, only when they focus their limited resources and attention on reaching a specific group of people, and they do so on purpose.

Does A Spiritual Vacuum exist? What other evangelical churches exist in, or relate, to the community? How effective do these churches seem to be in reaching the community and addressing the needs of the community? Who are those not being targeted by existing churches? Are there areas of the city under-reached?

Does A Spiritual Vacuum exist? When was the last time a new church was successfully launched? Where, if any, was a new church attempt launched? At what stage of the life-cycle are most churches in the area? What is the growth potential of a new church? Church to person ratio? Unchurched ratio? Receptivity - Soil Type

12 2.How large is your ministry area? Define your target area geographically. Pay attention to natural barriers

3. Who lives there? Family structures Age Employment Income Race Lifestyles

4. What are the psychographics of the area? Cultural Issues Music Lifestyle Worries/fears link.html link.html

15 5. What are the Ecclesiographics? How many churches in your target area? What is the seating capacity? What churches are getting it done? What people groups are missing? Are there pockets of ethnicity untouched? How many churches have been closed? 15

16 6. What are the Community’s greatest needs? Divorce rate Teenage parenthood poverty rate Educational graduation rate Drug and crime Ask the school Principle, Fire Chief, Mayor, Police Chief, etc... 16

17 Why is this important? The Church too often scratches where no one itches. We do great things, but they go unnoticed because we never really speak to a community in its language. We must be an expert on our community.

Roper Starch Worldwide survey of 35K consumers in 35 countries reported in Leadership, Summer 2001 Top 10 Consumer Values Held Worldwide Protecting family Honesty Health & Fitness Self-Esteem Self-Reliance Justice Freedom Friendship Knowledge Learning

Baptist Catholic LDS

Websites

Reasons Why Unchurched Choose a Church 1. Pastor/Preachi ng 2. Doctrine 3. Friendliness 4. Evangelism 5. Family 6.God’s Presence 7.Sunday School 8.Children/Youth Ministry 9.Worship 10.Location

Most Overlooked Question Who am I...?

What people group has God called me to reach? 1. Are there any needs this group has that I am uniquely qualified to meet? 2. What are my family experiences? 3. What can I do that other can’t?

Connecting With Your Ministry Group 1. Do an attraction Event 2. Build a prospect list “Farm” a neighborhood Identify receptive people Offer to help even if they don’t attend Maintain periodic contact with them Keep notes on all your prospects!

3 Key Lists To Develop! The “Prospect Process” Keep adding to the “prospect list” Move people to the “guest list” Assimilate people onto the “church directory list”

Good Rule To Remember! Make sure at least 50% of your launch team matches the Ministry Focus Group you are trying to reach.