What’s Important?
“ I know it is a shock - but not everyone in your congregation will agree with these principles! Some even will say you are wasting your time and money. Accept that and move forward. The attitude of the leadership team is what matters.”
ASSERTIVE never AGGRESSIVE:
We are not going to try to scare hell out of people. We are not going to annoy people until they attend from exhaustion. We will gently offer them God’s love of them.
WANTING TO KNOW GOD’S LOVE:
A goal to increase church attendance and budget is a very selfish goal! It is all about us whereas Jesus told us to love other people. So, our goal is to share God’s love with other people and in the process, know God’s love better ourselves.
SKEPTICAL OPTIMISM:
Yes – Christianity is shrinking. Yes – most churches are shrinking, and many are dying. Yes – Christianity has a bad reputation among many people. All that is absolutely true! And we will talk about that a lot. {{link to negatives page}}
BUT – the research documenting those problems, also shows that a large percentage of Americans would be interested in talking to us, if we approach them in a loving, respectful manner. {{link to opportunities page}}
A SMALL TEAM:
Some churches have been successful with only one person doing most of the work. That can happen. But (obviously) a small team can be more effective. In addition to those leaders, involvement by congregational members can multiply the results even if they only help a couple minutes a week. {{link to that page}} Shut-ins or partial shut-ins can have important roles on the team since so much is done via social media.
This raises the question of the clergy’s role. Clergy support and enthusiasm is critical. Again, in some churches clergy have taken the lead and been effective. A better model is for the clergy to be in a support and advisory role during this ‘pre-evangelism’ stage. {{link to pre-evangelism page}} Clergy need to be active but ideally lay people take the lead. Once new people connect with the church the true ‘evangelism’ stage begins and then the clergy should have the lead assisted by lay people.
CLERGY TRANSITION:
“We can’t do anything. Our church is in a transition phase.” The transition phase can be a great time to reach out to new people! First,ensure the interim understands they will be supportive of and involved in this ministry.
Second, ensure the parish profile includes this ministry as an important part of the new clergy’s role. Most churches list some variation of ‘church growth’ as a goal for the new person. Applicants will see that and want to know what you are already doing. Use this to build your team! “We need our applicants to see we are serious!”
Third, a major part of the transition phase is the parish profile when you describe yourself and your dreams. This is precisely what the community around you want to know! “Who are you and who do you want to be?” Sharing parts of yourprofile can intrigue people to look more closely.
A DESIRE TO MEET PEOPLE:
The team should be constantly asking: “How can we invite and meet new people through this activity?” and “What other activities would be right for us through which we can invite and meet new people?”
NOT MONEY:
True, it helps to spend a little money. True, there are things thatcan help which cost more money. But also, true there is a great deal that can be accomplished with some involvement by members without spending any money.
NOT BIG, OR SMALL, CHURCH:
Church size does not matter! The team can be small, and some tiny churches have been very effective. {{link to research paper}} At the same time larger churches can expand their efforts.
PATIENCE:
For many people this is the most difficult. I hope and pray you will see immediate results. But I do not expect that. Business people tell us that a person must be ‘touched’ by a product multiple times before deciding to buy. Churches have a bad reputation, so it takes more connections. Have patience. It will work.
