Development Steps

1. Introduction

Generation Spark (GS) Team members will present this intergenerational mentoring ministry to the senior pastor and other audiences convened by him/her.

2. Exploratory Team

Interested pastors designate/convene an Exploratory Team, including at least five youth and five adults, to study GS and determine if the church possesses the call and capacity to adopt the ministry at this time. This interactive, face-to-face dialogue engages youth and adults in a discussion about youth and the church. The GS Team leads this meeting.

3. Commitment

We ask participating churches to make the following commitments:

1. The church has no less than 10 youth and 20 adults.
2. The pastor convenes an Exploratory Team to assess the churches' call and capacity to offer the GS ministry.
3. The church identifies a leader who can dedicate 10–12 hours/week to the development and management of GS. This leader can be a staff person or a volunteer.
4. The church names an eight-member Leadership Team, composed of four youth and four adults to assist the director with communication, problem research and prayer. For the youth, this is also an important orientation to church leadership. The pastor serves as an advisor to this team.
5. Since GS is not a youth ministry, the church will thoughtfully integrate the ministry into the life and leadership of the church.
6. The pastor commits to be a cheerleader for the ministry, serving as a mentor or prayer partner for one adult-youth relationship.
7. The director creates at least five teams, each composed of a youth (age 16–24), an adult (age 45 and older) and a prayer partner. We hope serious consideration will be given to youth and adults on the fringes or who have already left the church.
8. The church will commit to evaluate the impact of its GS program on participants and the church itself by requiring youth and adults to complete pre- and post-tests.
9. The church will regularly affirm and recognize GS particpants and ask for and seriously consider youth and adult recommendations regarding relevant problems in church and community.
10. Commit to offer the 12-week sessions twice each year for veteran and new participants. These sessions will focus on new projects, dive deeper into original problems or work exclusively on building stronger personal relationships.

4. Identify Leadership

The pastor/governing board:

• Weaves GS to outreach, discipleship and/or youth program at the church
• Designates a staff person or volunteer to serve as part-time program director
• Names an eight-person Leadership Team, composed of four youth and four adults representing the outreach, discipleship, youth and worship programs.
  • The Leadership Team is responsible for communication, problem research and prayer. The pastor serves as an advisor to the Leadership Team.

5. Training

GS trains the director to train the Leadership Team, youth, adults and other participants.

6. Implement Generation Spark

The director and Leadership Team implement GS by:

• Introducing the ministry to the congregation
• Researching and selecting problem possibilities for the pilot phase of GS
• Recruiting/training/matching a minimum of five youth, five adult mentors, a prayer partner for each relationship, and members with expertise in designated problem areas
• Initiating problem-solving-based relationships

7. Lead the Ministry

The director and Leadership Team lead the ministry.

• Director oversees and coaches the relationships and works with GS in evaluating the on-going ministry
• The Leadership Team continuously communicates GS to the congregation and values participants in private and public settings

8. Present Recommended Solutions

 Youth and adults present their recommended solutions to a church audience. See Problem Solving.

9. Evaluation

The church GS director works with GS and Hope College’s Frost Research Center to evaluate the impact of the ministry on youth, adults and the congregation.