Keepers 

 

So it is not the will of your father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost. (Matt.18:14).

 

When we invite someone to stay and become one with our community, we are also opening up ourselves to change. Practicing hospitality to the stranger, with the intention of including the stranger with mean barriers and boundaries will to be constantly erased. “The way it has always been” has no place in the growing church. Each person who comes and decides to connect with this congregation is a gift from God.

 

What Potential members want to know!

 

  1. Do I fit here? (A questions of acceptance.)
  2. Does anybody want to know me? (A question of friendship.)
  3. Am I needed? (A question of value.)
  4. What is the advantage of joining? (A question of benefit.)
  5. What is required of members? (A question of expectations.)

 

Question for church leaders: Do you know what are you inviting and welcoming people to? Is there a “there” there?  In other words, what is your mission? What is your vision? Answering these questions helps people decide if your church is the right one. Does your church have a clear sense of who it is and who God is calling it to reach?

 

Take a minute a jot down “what” are people inviting people do:

For the Question of Acceptance – Follow up!

 

Will I fit? – Who are you targeting demographically? Don’t say “everyone”. Only very large churches can hope to have something to please everyone….and even then, they won’t reach people looking for small church! Some people will not feel welcome in your congregation. People tend to unconsciously “select” people they feel they can make friends with. Who is unlikely to “fit” your congregation? (Poorly dressed, classical music lovers, older person, 20’s single, gay couple, charismatic, alcoholic, bike, single mom, etc.)  Be honest. Are there any here that you want to change? Compare who is welcome with your demographics. Show you are willing to help get someone connected to a faith community, even if it is not yours.

 

Develop a system of initial and ongoing follow up and incorporation

 

  • Use the practices that will best work for your context.
  • Steal ideas from other churches!
  • Develop a system to track where people are in the incorporation process. Show Train Greeters and Leader Conversations with the guest on the Welcoming and Incorporation is the business of the whole church, but it needs oversight from a few key people.

 

Initial Greeting & Follow Up – Let the guest know that their visit is appreciated. Let them you know what you want to get to know them.

 

  • Have one or two systems for the person to make themselves known, without putting them on the spot.
  • Train Greeters and Leaders to have a meaningful “Head ,Heart, Hand” conversations with the guest on first and subsequent visits.
  • Phone call and/or visit from priest or lay leader.
  • Note from the priest
  • Letter from church office with more information.
  • Bread Delivery
  • “Mug” a Newcomer
  • Enter into Church Database.

 

Ongoing Follow-up

 

  • Invitations to Newcomer get-togethers and classes
  • With your team, have a strategy in place for “what’s next”.
  • Regularly schedule follow-up to see if they are ready to take the next steps (i.e. Phone Call after a month, then quarterly.
  • New member Liturgies at regular intervals with invitations to join.
  • Idea: have each vestry person “hang out” with one new person for one month at church. That’s 12 people a year, times the number of vestry members, who have felt warmly welcomed.
  • Follow-up with phone with those who are not coming regularly to be incorporated through your system, Gather information?

 

 

For the Question of Friendship – Form small groups!

 

A newcomer who makes at least 7 friends within the six months is very unlikely to drop out. Offer opportunities for newcomers to get to know each other and to make friends. People don’t want a friendly church. They want friends! Small Groups and medium size fellowship opportunities.

 

  • Newcomer events that seek out the new person: Brunches, teas, wine and cheese, etc. Have them regularly. Sprinkle them with leaders.
  • Encourage people to tell part of their stories, and to hear the stories of the community. Make an intentional part of classes, new member integration. Especially in small congregations where newcomers are “adopted” by knowing the family stories.
  • Launch small groups with a class: A newcomer’s class, baptismal prep class, membership class, ALPHA course or EFM, etc can turn into a small group after class ends. Identify apprentice leaders early.
  • Seeker small groups – For those who are just exploring. Led by pastor or someone with gifts of evangelism, wisdom and encouragement. Explore the issues that come out with the question, “If you could ask God one question and get an answer, what would you ask?”
  • Add small group elements to all your ministries.
    • Prayer and worship
    • Discipleship
    • Mutual Support/ Fellowship/Accountability
    • Outreach and Mission

 

  • Make small group participation normative
    • Train small group leaders and provide ongoing mentoring.
    • Offer groups at various levels of discipleship.
    • Phrases like “In your small group…” help set expectation.
  • Lead people into small groups with medium size groups.
  • Create opportunities for people to have fun – knowing that they will be more likely joins smaller groups when they have laughed together in larger settings.
  • Encourage fellowship events of various sizes: “Dine with Nine”; Lunch after church; game night. These can be organized by small groups, fellowships or ministries as well as by the “fellowship committee.” (Sunday school teachers sponsor a family bowling night; Men’s group has a monthly Saturday breakfast.)
  • Adult Bible Fellowship: More than adult forum – includes outreach elements, its own pastoral care element, as well as Sunday bible study.
  • Recognize the organic nature of relationships: Maybe you don’t have the leadership or resources to start a “young adult’s ministry” but you can invite all the 20/30’s over to your place for a Friday Happy Hour and simply encourage conversations. Seed ideas for small groups or fellowship gathering and let them decide on next steps.

 

For the question of value – Connect People to Service

 

  • Entry-level service – Identify easy places for new people to serve, and invite them to be part of a team. “Would you like to usher with me?”
  • Spiritual Gift Assessments – Occasionally offer Spiritual Gift Assessments, with one-on-one follow-up to find areas people can serve to fit Gifts, Passion, and Personality. Don’t do a gifts inventory and not follow-up! It rejects the offering people have made of themselves.
  • “Green light” attitude – As long as they are acting within an overall vision of the church, individuals can be encouraged and given permission to identify and address ministry needs.
  • Training & Support – offer ongoing training and support for ministry leaders.
  • Term limitations – No “job for life”. Make positions 1 year positions with a possible renewal of one or two terms. Identify apprentices up front who know they will be taking over the following year.
  • Outreach opportunities – Seek to serve others in the community and the world. Provide ways to connect on a “one time only” basis, as well as getting people involved in deeper levels of service.
  • Find ways to value those whose gifts are last obvious -. Find ways to love, value and incorporate those who as having limitations. Sometimes they are much bigger than we can imagine.

 

For the question of Benefit – Articulate the “Whys” of Membership (and know that very few people car about the parochial report or diocesan representation)

 

  • Community of support, to serve others and be served.
  • Deeper connection to God in corporate worship and discipleship.
  • A place to discover and use your gifts.
  • An opportunity to discover meaning and purpose as part of a ministering community
  • Friends and Community to enjoy life with.
  • A place is something larger than you.

 

For the question for Expectations – Set the Standards

 

  • Canonical Membership vs. Covenantal Membership/Deepening Discipleship. - Don’t be anxious to just put people on the roles. Make membership “mean” something. Decide what membership should look like in your community.
  • Clear expectations, but respect of where people are – Clearly articulate what is required/expected from non-members, members, maturing members, leaders, and lay ministries. But respect where people choose to commit along the way.
  • Articulate behaviors and attitudes at different levels Discipleship. Help people know how to grow in their faith. Help them identify next steps.