The Race to Reach Out

by Coyner, Michael J.

• ISBN13: 9780687066681
• ISBN10: 0687066689
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-09-01
• Publisher: Abingdon Pr

Summary

Most church members would tell you that theirs is a friendly congregation, eager to welcome visitors and new members into their midst. Yet far too many of these same congregations have trouble translating this intention into action. Offering a friendly greeting to a new face is important, but it is only the first of many steps that congregations must take in order to turn visitors into members, and new members into committed disciples. The authors believe that to assimilate newcomers into the life and ministry of the congregation, the whole church system must be involved. Anderson and Coyner demonstrate how to identify and respond to visitors in a nonthreatening, yet interested way; how to share information about them with the leaders of those ministries and programs in which they would be most interested; how best to help them in their decision to become church members; and how to help them understand and fulfill their own call to ministry in the congregation. They insist that churches be motivated, not by a desire for institutional survival or advancement, but by a passion for people and their place in the kingdom of God.

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
Attracting Newcomers	1	(16)
Attracting Newcomers Begins with Awareness
Word of Mouth
Advertising and Marketing
Service Evangelism
Personal Invitation
Summary
Welcoming Newcomers	17	(18)
Warming Up to Newcomers
Creating a Climate of Hospitality
Hospitality as Newcomers Arrive
Hospitality during the Worship Service
Hospitality after the Worship Service
Conclusion: Leaders Shape Hospitality
Identifying Newcomers	35	(14)
Getting Off to a Good Start
Beyond Recognition to Identification
The Importance of a Name
Names and Nametags
Discovering Names Is a Team Effort
Postscript to Identification
Responding to Newcomers	49	(14)
The Race to Respond
Responding to the Emotional Investment of Newcomers
Choices of Response
The Process for Response
Speed of Response
Tracking the Process
Summary
Listening to Newcomers	63	(18)
Listening Is the Vital Link
Demonstrating Care
Hearing the Life Transition Events
Discovering the Gifts and Talents
Setting Up the Listening Visit: The Phone Call
Beginning the Listening Visit
Your Listening Skills
Discovering Their Interests and Talents
Ending the Listening Visit
Conclusion
Including Newcomers	81	(12)
The Final Lap
The Goal Is Belonging
From Informational to Invitational Culture
Developing the Network
Finding the Sponsors
Extending the Invitation
Follow-Up and Accountability
Connecting with Balance
Conclusion
Including Newcomers as New Members	93	(16)
The Victory Lap
Activity and Membership
What Systems Produce
Membership Classes
Youth Confirmation
Other Generational Issues
Conclusion
Notes	109