Christmas guests came!

And that’s the last time we will see them. 😩

It does not have to be like that!

Build a relationship that keeps them coming back.

Lot’s more soon!! Please keep checking back !

Ever been involved with therapy?

As the patient or the therapist?

What one word was said over and over?

COMMUNICATE !!

A metaphor for people who remember dating the old fashioned way! 🤷😀

The keys: regular, ongoing, friendly, helpful communications.

  • I believe once a week is sufficient but does not feel like spam. The exception of course are Christmas, Lent and Easter when it will be more often

  • The evangelicals teach that every Saturday the new person should get a text encouraging them to come to church the next day. It seems to work for them! But I think that is too pushy,

  • Keep it short. A one minute read is a good target.

  • I like sending it Friday or Saturday thinking that brings church to mind even if I don’t specifically mention it.

  • I suggest no more than half should be commercials - invitations to events, Instead:

    • occasionally include a fun meme

    • there are good, short videos explaining the various churches. I think 2 minutes should be the target.

    • there are good, short video on topics like prayer and sin

    • if your church has an interesting history, put that on your website and send the link.

    • if your youth do something

    • if you have a major outreach such as a food pantry, discuss that

    • periodically mention where to see your worship service. Most people will look at a video before attending so if you have contacts from a pet blessing, etc. the video can be very important.

    • All of these should touch on your church.

  • After 2 months they should know your church fairly well.

  • I said not to make every one an invitation to Sunday worship BUT you should frequently give them a reason to come: hope we can meet up Sunday! for example.

  • We are trying this new approach about every 6 weeks or so and will let you know what happens! —- A text will say something like: would love to greet you in person! Here is my photo so you know who to look for!

Two people meet, seem interested in each other so the man asks the woman for a date. She agrees and everything goes well.

Afterwards maybe the man sends a quick “I had fun” message to her. BUT — then he never communicates again! He ghosts her.

What happens? (1) The woman gets angry and bad mouths the man to everyone she knows! (2) The man loses the opportunity to build what could have been a wonderful, lasting relationship.

Subtlety is not my strength! You understood the woman is the potential guest and the man is the church.

We worked had to invite people to church - have a first date.

We strive to make them feel welcome and comfortable — have the date go well.

Then maybe we send a text or a hand written note from the pastor - great! In many churches even that does not happen - they are ghosted from the start. Or at most a couple more messages. If they don’t return within a month they are taken off the list.

I wish I could cite the source: If we give up on them, they will give up on us!