A Time For Deciding
Church Growth
It Works for Us!
The Clergy's Church Growth Handbook
Object:
Eventually the moment of decision has to come for anyone who has been visiting a church and is considering uniting with it as a member-in-full. Ordinarily that moment is precipitated by an invitation. As Martin Marty observed some time ago: "There is one word that separates growing churches from non-growing churches. That word is 'invite.' "1 How to extend that invitation in a sincere, encouraging but non-threatening way has long been of interest to persons involved in the ministry of evangelism.
Most denominational and private church-related publishing houses have printed programs training pastors and evangelism committee members regarding the effective mechanics of encouraging prospects to make the move to full membership. Catalogues from such organizations as Discipleship Resources (Nashville, Tennessee) and Net Results (Lubbock, Texas) provide numerous and interesting alternatives. Particularly helpful are the programs "Reach Out Calling" and "Decision Calls" available from Net Results. The point is simply that the programs and tools are out there for the asking. Those who do not ask virtually plan to fail.
One thing appears certain: Winning persons into a permanent relationship with a church is the dual responsibility of laity and clergy. Initially it is understood that most persons attend a church because they are invited by a lay member of the congregation. "In most congregations 83 percent of first-time visitors have been personally invited by a friend, neighbor or relative."2 Roughly six percent attend first because of the minister. However, when those persons get around to making their final decision about joining the church, few say "yes" without having had some contact/conversation with a staff minister (and the more who have some contact with the senior minister, the higher the percentage of those who join).
At small (averaging less than 85 at worship) to medium sized churches (averaging less than 225 at worship),3 still the most effective approach seems to be for the pastor to make a house call upon prospective members to secure the decision to join. A bonding takes place when the minister enters the home of the prospect, establishing a personal relationship that goes beyond the merely professional. Most persons seeking membership in small-to-medium sized churches have upon their personal agendas the need to know and be known (by both church members and clergy). Frequently smaller churches are sought out due to persons' acknowledged lack of and need for intimacy. Often those persons find security in knowing that moments of trial or hardship, endured alone in times past, will not have to be faced alone in times yet to come. Thus, there is a special desire to have a personal relationship with a pastor who is both familiar and accessible. Few things facilitate the bonding so much as having the minister visit and appear relaxed and comfortable in the person's home. In churches small-to-medium in size, it is particularly helpful to church growth if the pastor makes a practice of entering the domain of the prospective member with the invitation to become part of the church family.
That luxury is not always afforded to pastors of large and rapidly growing churches. Thus, many of those ministers must find new and creative ways of establishing relationship with prospects "on campus." The adult membership class provides an excellent opportunity. The pastor meets during the Sunday school hour with a pre-determined group of prospective members to lead them in a study of what membership in the church will involve. Over the course of four to six weeks, the pastor thus gets to know the prospective members on a personal basis and they go away feeling that bonding has been established.
A strong program developed at a certain rapidly growing church is called "The Get Acquainted Dinner." The idea received national attention in an issue of Net Results. Subsequently numerous churches have put it to the test with almost unanimously positive results. Consider the format (which, of course, may be adapted to suit the needs of the particular church employing it).
The evangelism committee compiles a list of persons who have visited the church more than once within the last three months. To that list is added the names of any long-term prospects who have not yet joined. A theme for an evening meal is selected (seasonal themes are enjoyable -- Italian or French sidewalk cafe around Valentine's Day, an outdoor picnic near the fourth of July, pilgrim's potluck near Thanksgiving.) Members of the committee volunteer or enlist the aid of church friends in designing a menu that is tasty but easy to prepare and is in keeping with the theme. (Serve lasagna, salad, bread, beverages and cake for Italian night at Valentine's -- or, grilled burgers and hot dogs, baked beans, lemonade and fresh fruit or ice cream for the picnic near the fourth of July). The fellowship hall is decorated in a fashion appropriate to the theme with specific intent that no more than eight persons can be seated at any one table.
Printed invitations are sent to everyone on the prospective members' list (with a reasonable R.S.V.P. date -- such as 48 hours prior to the dinner). Announcements are made in the pulpit for three successive Sundays prior to the occasion (thus making certain that those who are not on the list but might be interested in attending are encouraged to come).
On the night of the event, assign various evangelism committee members the responsibility of being "mixers." Some will be stationed at a table at the entrance to the fellowship hall, equipped with name tags for all who attend (make certain that there are ample supplies of name tags and food to accommodate those who come without responding to the R.S.V.P.). Other committee members will be assigned to the fellowship hall, floating from group to group, making certain that no visitor enters the room and is ignored or left alone.
Two members of the committee or church staff members are assigned seats at each table (one on either end at opposite sides). They will spend the meal time chatting with the six prospective members who sit at the table (thus beginning and/or enhancing the visitors' feelings of being connected to the local ecclesia).
Following the meal comes a time of introductions. This is done table by table so that each prospective member may be introduced to the gathering at large (individually and as families). Lead questions may be such things as: "What are your names?" "How long have you been in this community?" "What do you do professionally?" "What or who first brought you to our church?" Occasionally someone will feel ill at ease on his feet in front of a group of virtual strangers (though by the end of the meal time everyone should feel comfortable with the others at his table). In the event that a participant would rather not speak, the committee or staff member at that table will assume the privilege of introducing that individual/family to the group at large. This can be done in such fashion that all are made to feel comfortable.
Once introductions have been made and the inevitable light-heartedness of the moment has been enjoyed, the committee chairperson will call upon selected staff members and church officials to make brief, positive remarks on the ministry of the church. It is especially important that persons who coordinate the ministries of children, youth, singles and senior adults take two or three minutes each to highlight what the church does in those important areas. Likewise, someone actively involved in the ministry of education should speak to the wide array of educational opportunities provided by the church (both on Sundays and weekdays/nights). Men's and women's organizations should be represented, as well as all choral groups. Someone representing the missions ministries should briefly address the outreach endeavors in which the church is involved. Last of all, ministerial staff should speak (again briefly) about their areas of responsibility. For example, the director of Christian education can speak to the educational opportunities previously mentioned in this paragraph. The pastor(s) can deal with what church members should expect in worship and in times of personal need. Day care or pre-school directors can take just a moment to highlight the work of their programs. The presentations should be quick, crisp and uniformly upbeat. This is not an occasion for discussing what the church hopes to do better in times to come. It is a time for quickly underscoring as many positive aspects of the church's ministry as possible. The intent is to attract the persons seated at the tables to make the decision to call this church their home.
At the close of the evening, each prospective member is given an envelope. Inside that envelope is a form which they are asked to fill out and hand to one of the staff or committee members on their way out. It is important, therefore, that a staff or committee member is stationed at each exit as the participants begin to file out. The event is designed to bring people to a moment of decision-making. It is an undeniable fact that those who are allowed to take the forms home and think about it will ordinarily put them aside and forget rather than think. Thus, the form should be completed and handed in as they leave the fellowship hall. Consider this sample form (see page 76) used at Boone United Methodist Church (Boone, North Carolina).
The bottom line is that some well defined, clear, structured approach to decision solicitation must be in place for a church to grow. New members will not come out of the woodwork in any impressive number when pastors or church members simply sit back and hope that folks know they are welcome. Most of the time the decision requires personal in-house contact by one of the church's ministers. Sometimes, in larger church situations, the adult membership class does suffice. Likewise in growing churches, well organized events (such as the get acquainted dinner) becomes an effective tool for bringing prospective members to the point of making a decision. Churches that find a method that fits their profile are growing churches.
We hope you will say "yes" to becoming a member of the Boone United Methodist Church family!
Please check one of the following lines and provide appropriate information as requested.
Yes, I/We wish to become members of Boone United Methodist Church.
I/We will join by Letter of Transfer from:
_______ Church
address: (street or P.O. Box)
I/We wish to join by first-time Profession of Faith.
I/We have , have not been baptized.
The following date will be a convenient time for us to unite with Boone Methodist Church:
Date ______ (8:45 service ____; 10:55 service ____)
Date ______ (8:45 service ____; 10:55 service ____)
Date ______ (8:45 service ____; 10:55 service ____)
Date 24 ______ (8:45 service ____; 10:55 service ____)
I/We do not wish to become a member of this church.
Signed:
Address:
Phone No.:
_________
1. Martin Marty, quoted in issue of Context magazine, 1984.
2. Op. Cit., Harding and Mohney, p. 86.
3. Lyle Schaller, Growing Plans (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1983), pp. 54-55.
Most denominational and private church-related publishing houses have printed programs training pastors and evangelism committee members regarding the effective mechanics of encouraging prospects to make the move to full membership. Catalogues from such organizations as Discipleship Resources (Nashville, Tennessee) and Net Results (Lubbock, Texas) provide numerous and interesting alternatives. Particularly helpful are the programs "Reach Out Calling" and "Decision Calls" available from Net Results. The point is simply that the programs and tools are out there for the asking. Those who do not ask virtually plan to fail.
One thing appears certain: Winning persons into a permanent relationship with a church is the dual responsibility of laity and clergy. Initially it is understood that most persons attend a church because they are invited by a lay member of the congregation. "In most congregations 83 percent of first-time visitors have been personally invited by a friend, neighbor or relative."2 Roughly six percent attend first because of the minister. However, when those persons get around to making their final decision about joining the church, few say "yes" without having had some contact/conversation with a staff minister (and the more who have some contact with the senior minister, the higher the percentage of those who join).
At small (averaging less than 85 at worship) to medium sized churches (averaging less than 225 at worship),3 still the most effective approach seems to be for the pastor to make a house call upon prospective members to secure the decision to join. A bonding takes place when the minister enters the home of the prospect, establishing a personal relationship that goes beyond the merely professional. Most persons seeking membership in small-to-medium sized churches have upon their personal agendas the need to know and be known (by both church members and clergy). Frequently smaller churches are sought out due to persons' acknowledged lack of and need for intimacy. Often those persons find security in knowing that moments of trial or hardship, endured alone in times past, will not have to be faced alone in times yet to come. Thus, there is a special desire to have a personal relationship with a pastor who is both familiar and accessible. Few things facilitate the bonding so much as having the minister visit and appear relaxed and comfortable in the person's home. In churches small-to-medium in size, it is particularly helpful to church growth if the pastor makes a practice of entering the domain of the prospective member with the invitation to become part of the church family.
That luxury is not always afforded to pastors of large and rapidly growing churches. Thus, many of those ministers must find new and creative ways of establishing relationship with prospects "on campus." The adult membership class provides an excellent opportunity. The pastor meets during the Sunday school hour with a pre-determined group of prospective members to lead them in a study of what membership in the church will involve. Over the course of four to six weeks, the pastor thus gets to know the prospective members on a personal basis and they go away feeling that bonding has been established.
A strong program developed at a certain rapidly growing church is called "The Get Acquainted Dinner." The idea received national attention in an issue of Net Results. Subsequently numerous churches have put it to the test with almost unanimously positive results. Consider the format (which, of course, may be adapted to suit the needs of the particular church employing it).
The evangelism committee compiles a list of persons who have visited the church more than once within the last three months. To that list is added the names of any long-term prospects who have not yet joined. A theme for an evening meal is selected (seasonal themes are enjoyable -- Italian or French sidewalk cafe around Valentine's Day, an outdoor picnic near the fourth of July, pilgrim's potluck near Thanksgiving.) Members of the committee volunteer or enlist the aid of church friends in designing a menu that is tasty but easy to prepare and is in keeping with the theme. (Serve lasagna, salad, bread, beverages and cake for Italian night at Valentine's -- or, grilled burgers and hot dogs, baked beans, lemonade and fresh fruit or ice cream for the picnic near the fourth of July). The fellowship hall is decorated in a fashion appropriate to the theme with specific intent that no more than eight persons can be seated at any one table.
Printed invitations are sent to everyone on the prospective members' list (with a reasonable R.S.V.P. date -- such as 48 hours prior to the dinner). Announcements are made in the pulpit for three successive Sundays prior to the occasion (thus making certain that those who are not on the list but might be interested in attending are encouraged to come).
On the night of the event, assign various evangelism committee members the responsibility of being "mixers." Some will be stationed at a table at the entrance to the fellowship hall, equipped with name tags for all who attend (make certain that there are ample supplies of name tags and food to accommodate those who come without responding to the R.S.V.P.). Other committee members will be assigned to the fellowship hall, floating from group to group, making certain that no visitor enters the room and is ignored or left alone.
Two members of the committee or church staff members are assigned seats at each table (one on either end at opposite sides). They will spend the meal time chatting with the six prospective members who sit at the table (thus beginning and/or enhancing the visitors' feelings of being connected to the local ecclesia).
Following the meal comes a time of introductions. This is done table by table so that each prospective member may be introduced to the gathering at large (individually and as families). Lead questions may be such things as: "What are your names?" "How long have you been in this community?" "What do you do professionally?" "What or who first brought you to our church?" Occasionally someone will feel ill at ease on his feet in front of a group of virtual strangers (though by the end of the meal time everyone should feel comfortable with the others at his table). In the event that a participant would rather not speak, the committee or staff member at that table will assume the privilege of introducing that individual/family to the group at large. This can be done in such fashion that all are made to feel comfortable.
Once introductions have been made and the inevitable light-heartedness of the moment has been enjoyed, the committee chairperson will call upon selected staff members and church officials to make brief, positive remarks on the ministry of the church. It is especially important that persons who coordinate the ministries of children, youth, singles and senior adults take two or three minutes each to highlight what the church does in those important areas. Likewise, someone actively involved in the ministry of education should speak to the wide array of educational opportunities provided by the church (both on Sundays and weekdays/nights). Men's and women's organizations should be represented, as well as all choral groups. Someone representing the missions ministries should briefly address the outreach endeavors in which the church is involved. Last of all, ministerial staff should speak (again briefly) about their areas of responsibility. For example, the director of Christian education can speak to the educational opportunities previously mentioned in this paragraph. The pastor(s) can deal with what church members should expect in worship and in times of personal need. Day care or pre-school directors can take just a moment to highlight the work of their programs. The presentations should be quick, crisp and uniformly upbeat. This is not an occasion for discussing what the church hopes to do better in times to come. It is a time for quickly underscoring as many positive aspects of the church's ministry as possible. The intent is to attract the persons seated at the tables to make the decision to call this church their home.
At the close of the evening, each prospective member is given an envelope. Inside that envelope is a form which they are asked to fill out and hand to one of the staff or committee members on their way out. It is important, therefore, that a staff or committee member is stationed at each exit as the participants begin to file out. The event is designed to bring people to a moment of decision-making. It is an undeniable fact that those who are allowed to take the forms home and think about it will ordinarily put them aside and forget rather than think. Thus, the form should be completed and handed in as they leave the fellowship hall. Consider this sample form (see page 76) used at Boone United Methodist Church (Boone, North Carolina).
The bottom line is that some well defined, clear, structured approach to decision solicitation must be in place for a church to grow. New members will not come out of the woodwork in any impressive number when pastors or church members simply sit back and hope that folks know they are welcome. Most of the time the decision requires personal in-house contact by one of the church's ministers. Sometimes, in larger church situations, the adult membership class does suffice. Likewise in growing churches, well organized events (such as the get acquainted dinner) becomes an effective tool for bringing prospective members to the point of making a decision. Churches that find a method that fits their profile are growing churches.
We hope you will say "yes" to becoming a member of the Boone United Methodist Church family!
Please check one of the following lines and provide appropriate information as requested.
Yes, I/We wish to become members of Boone United Methodist Church.
I/We will join by Letter of Transfer from:
_______ Church
address: (street or P.O. Box)
I/We wish to join by first-time Profession of Faith.
I/We have , have not been baptized.
The following date will be a convenient time for us to unite with Boone Methodist Church:
Date ______ (8:45 service ____; 10:55 service ____)
Date ______ (8:45 service ____; 10:55 service ____)
Date ______ (8:45 service ____; 10:55 service ____)
Date 24 ______ (8:45 service ____; 10:55 service ____)
I/We do not wish to become a member of this church.
Signed:
Address:
Phone No.:
_________
1. Martin Marty, quoted in issue of Context magazine, 1984.
2. Op. Cit., Harding and Mohney, p. 86.
3. Lyle Schaller, Growing Plans (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1983), pp. 54-55.
