MULTI-GENERATIONAL Ministry . What do you think when you hear this ? Young and old or families , perhaps ? I believe we should all strive to cultivate multigenerational chapters in the ministry of CMA .
Here are three topics for you to consider when evaluating your chapter meetings and events . Possible , Attractive , and Purpose . I want to challenge you to have a discussion as a chapter and talk through these three points :
1 Possible Is it possible for young families to attend your meeting ? Are your meetings late enough so that young working families can attend yet still get their kids to bed early enough ? For some families , meeting times could be a hardship , which would turn them away from attending . Is it more challenging for younger families to bring their kids to the meeting / event than it would be to stay home ? ( i . e ., what is your chapter doing to welcome and include their kids during the meeting or event ?) We have to keep realistic expectations of the commitments and involvement that our families can make . They must divide their time with their kid ’ s activities , family , church , CMA , etc .
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2 Attractive When we have an environment that is positive , fun , and full of members that care about people , it will naturally attract newcomers to want to be involved ! Are your chapter events a healthy environment that is welcoming and loving to strangers ? What would make visitors or families want to be a part of your chapter ? The enemy loves to cultivate drama in chapters , causing our focus to be more on each other rather than our mission . Remember the four elements of a healthy chapter and envision them as a chair ; Evangelism , Discipleship , Fellowship , and Prayer . If you were to take one leg out , you would fall to the ground . We must actively involve these four elements in our chapters to maintain a healthy environment .
For our younger members , they are looking for guidance . They are looking for someone to come alongside them and help them with their walk with God . This ministry is where I received personal discipleship , and it drastically affected my walk ! You have that same opportunity in your chapter and state .
We asked a former youth of Iowa what kept him involved in CMA , and he told us , “ It was expected of me to go ; I didn ’ t
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have a choice . But everyone adopted me as their own . The chapter was my family .”
I would echo the same statement . I enjoyed going to the meetings to see all of our CMA friends . Growing up in CMA , I was allowed to ride my little KLX110 dirt bike in the bike games , and I won several times . Did all of the adults like it ? Not necessarily , but they allowed it ! They sacrificed so that I could have the experience . If I had not been able to participate , it would have negatively influenced my experience . We have the same opportunity to provide an atmosphere that promotes family .
3 Purpose Is there a good reason families should bring their whole family ? Are their kids ignored or included and welcomed ? When we have new families attending an event or meeting , it is almost like a job interview . They are looking for all of the good and the bad . We don ’ t want to be fake ! If we work on these things before they come , it will just come naturally . They should feel loved and like this is their home .
We should never become too busy doing " God ' s work " to make time for our family . Our first mission field is our family . We can ' t
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