Donate to Charity for Every Connection Card Turned In

For every connection card turned in by a first-time visitor at the end of a service, offer to donate a predetermined amount of money to a local charity. Consider adopting a charity for a season as a church, choosing a new charity each month, or giving your congregation a handful of charities to vote on. This emphasis on outreach will show newcomers immediately that your church is outward-focused and concerned with and involved in its community. It will also encourage immediate interaction with newcomers and a better way to gauge first-time attandance.

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?

Long Hollow Church: Blooms of Love

In addition to bouquets, widows receive gifts including devotionals, truffles and tea towels on Valentine's Day.

Faith Rising: Gen Z and Millennials Lead a Comeback for Jesus

We need to encourage faith sharing not through pressure or guilt, but by inviting people to see that their neighbors may be far more open than they assume.

Does Your Youth Ministry Contain This Key Piece?

Jesus didn’t separate following him from sharing him, and neither should we.