5 Tips for Faithful Follow-up

Proactively following up with newcomers can transform an introduction into a relationship. Carmel Baptist Church in Matthews, N.C., developed a well-established system to make sure guests don’t go unnoticed.

 

1. Enlist a coordinator. Ask one person to coordinate a team of volunteers focused on follow-up and responsible for everything from creating contact forms for guests to complete to buying items for welcome baskets and assigning follow-up phone calls.

 

2. Begin at hello. When guests come through the door, greet them immediately, ask their names and be sure to memorize them to introduce them to others.

 

3. Learn their needs. Ask guests for their prayer requests or other needs. Then, when volunteers call or e-mail during the week, they can share that they’ve been praying for specific requests.

 

4. Invite them back. Using their first names, Invite guests to come back. Let them know you hope to see them again.

 

5. Make contact. Within the following week, ask volunteers to drop off a welcome basket of goodies and church information.

 

–From Outreach magazine, September/October 2006

 

 

 

 

James P. Long
James P. Longhttp://JamesPLong.com

James P. Long was formerly the editor of Outreach magazine and the author of a number of books, including Why Is God Silent When We Need Him the Most?

Leatherwood Church: The Pull

The church held their first Tractor Sunday, a gathering where people drove their tractors to the church to show them off, much like a car show, and everybody brought a sack lunch.

How Technology Can Help Candidate Screening

Running a credit check is a sound practice that can provide information you won’t get on a résumé.

Who’s in Charge?: Outreach Rarely Happens If No One Owns It

If you don’t have an outreach leader, there is little chance you have a thriving evangelism impact on your community.