Whether a church has a single pastor or many staff members, it’s wise to seek pastoral support for intentional Christian grandparenting early in the planning process. In a multi-staff church, the staff leader over a grandparenting emphasis should be included in this pastoral support conversation.
Pastoral support does not necessarily mean a time commitment from the pastor or church staff. The pastor should know that you and a core team of church volunteers will give the time, energy, leadership, and prayer needed to support your grandparenting ministry as you coordinate efforts with the church staff.
Best Practices
The following steps represent the Best Practices that have been used in approaching church leaders. Feel free to modify, shorten, revise as needed.
Request a 40-minute meeting with the pastor (not 50 or 60!!).
Prepare well before the meeting. Be familiar with the Legacy Coalition website.
Bring a layperson or church staff member with you who is also passionate about intentional Christian grandparenting.
Pray before you meet with the Pastor.
Discussion Points & Resources for Meeting with the Pastor
Share a brief story how intentional Christian Grandparenting has touched you.
Provide the Biblical basis for Intentional Christian Grandparenting: Deuteronomy 4:9 and Psalm 78:1-8 (God’s command to impact 4 generations)
Watch this 3-minute video clip together:
Let them know that senior bus trips, luncheons, Bible studies, etc. are great, but there is something more that grandparents want and need to impact their grandkids.
Put the Pastor at ease that this is not intended to increase his workload. With your encouragement, grandparents have the time, resources, and wisdom to lead.
Strong emphasis to let the pastor know that Legacy Coalition wants to support the local church to start and sustain this effort.
Offer the Pastor a printed copy of the Legacy Coalition Statement of Faith.
In time, this effort could reach other grandparents in your community.
3 critical factors that make this work in the church:
Ongoing support by the church staff particularly the senior pastor
Ongoing Prayer Team
Core Group that develops and executes the plan, keeping in touch with church staff as to plans and dates within the church.
Provide resources to inspire and equip grandparents
Next Steps
Request support for the next steps, beginning with a Prayer Team.
Prayer Team
Developing a Prayer Team is absolutely essential to establishing a spiritual foundation for the ministry. Their support will uplift grandparents in their Biblical role.
Introduce Intentional Christian Grandparenting
Generate interest through a live presentation. This may be a luncheon, after-church meeting, announcement in the worship service, a resource table in the foyer, or a sermon.
Visionary / Equipping Study
Schedule and promote initial Grandparenting Matters study. Depending on your particular church, this may be organized as a 6 to 12-week video small-group study in a Sunday School Class or mid-week Community Group, live presentation by Legacy staff, etc.
Core Team: planning and support
A team of passionate volunteers that will be committed to serve as the driving force to launch and sustain a grandparenting ministry. They are responsible for scheduling and implementing the ministry plan, and coordinating with the church staff.