1. © 2013 FEBC International The Gray Matrix …a tool for understanding our audience, for ministry planning and analysis

2. It is Good to…..  Understand where people are at in their spiritual journey  Know if our messages are understood by our audiences  Plan our ministry so that it is suitable for our audiences  Be honest with ourselves!

3. Meeting People Where They Are SSpiritually: What they know and understand (about Gospel) What they think they know – and misunderstand (about Gospel) How they feel towards Jesus, the Gospel, Christians – and the Church TTheir openness to Change TTheir context: Problems they face Their interests

4. 2 Things: 1. How much people know and understand 2. How open they are towards the Gospel

5. 1. How much do people understand about the Gospel?  This is one of the first things we need to know  We need to know this so that we use words they will understand  We need to talk to them on their level  If our message is not understood it will turn them off…  We can use a simple scale to determine where people are at…

6. Knowledge (spiritual awareness) PPeople generally start with “ No real awareness ” of God (-7) AAs they receive input their knowledge of the Gospel increases (-6 to -2) BBy God ’ s grace they understand Repentance & Faith (-1) – and act on it TThey begin to grow in knowledge and love of God CCovers the main doctrines: Triune God, the Creation event, The Fall, Revelation, Incarnation, Redemption, The Church, The Return of Christ

7. 2. Openness/Attitude  Indicates their attitude towards the Gospel  Their attitude is not tied to knowledge  It depends on feelings and experiences  People often needs to become Open before they can be taught

8. Knowledge + Openness When we add these two together we get the Matrix:

9. The Matrix – looking at it more closely…  4 quadrants (sectors) A, B, C, and D Each has its own characteristics

10. Effective Communication  Helps people to become more open to Gospel  Helps people to understand more  Both Knowledge and Attitude change are necessary  For many people their Attitude needs to be changed first (how?)

11. People, Path and Programs (1) PEOPLE (3) PATH (4) PROGRAM (2) PEOPLE-2

12. Laying a Pathway

13. Pathway and Programs

14. Theory versus Reality  We need to be honest with ourselves… 

15. A common problem:  We say we are reaching people here  But in reality we are speaking to people here..  …or here !

16. To Analyse… WWhat groups are your programs currently aimed at? PPlot them on the Matrix AAre there some gaps? (if so – where?) HHow will you fill the gaps?

17. To Plan…  If our audience is located at -3,-5 what kind of programs do we need to make? What other activities might we consider?  If our audience is located at +2,-3 what kind of programs do we need to make?

18. On the Web: http://thegraymatrix.org For background information and study For interaction and comments