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Visitor Training. Ted Mollegen. Outline. Definition & Examples of Stewardship Different Approaches for the Annual Appeal Visitation is By Far the Best The Basic Steps Do’s and Don’ts References/Links Q&A. What is a Steward?.
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Visitor Training Ted Mollegen
Outline • Definition & Examples of Stewardship • Different Approaches for the Annual Appeal • Visitation is By Far the Best • The Basic Steps • Do’s and Don’ts • References/Links • Q&A
What is a Steward? A Steward is someone who is in charge of something that doesn’t belong to that person. Examples: • Captain of an ocean liner • Shift manager at McDonald’s • Parents • Our bodies Jesus taught that we are stewards of God’s world.
Foundational Ideas & Principles • You are helping people get into a better relationship with their God! This is deeply satisfying work! • People have a need to give • Talk straight about money. Money is important – don’t trivialize it. • Keep the congregation informed – especially when there’s good news or bad news • Be up-front about the fact that the visitation is about both people and money • The biggest pledge increases come from the callers, • not the callees. Don’t minimize the number of callers. • In today’s world, it’s almost impossible to over-communicate. Don’t be afraid to be a little repetitious.
Different Approaches to the Annual Appeal • Every Member Visitation • 1/4 of congregation visits the other 3/4 • House Groups • Celebration/Thankfulness Dinner • Proprietary Processes, e.g., • Pony Express • Consecration Sunday • Only Sermon(s) and/or Letter(s) – irresponsible!
Three Sunday Topics and Three Mailings • Theological (see websites for ideas) • Proportional Giving/Tithing • % giving table • Think % of Income • Pick a target, then build up to it • What to count is up to you • Budget/Financial • Current year budget status • “Wish list” budget • Enclose pledge card & opaque envelope
Visitor Questions ( on a form) • Name/address/phone number of callee(s) • What do you like most about this church? • Is there anything you would like to see changed? • What would you like to do to help in our ministries? • Do you have any questions? • Do you have any messages for the Rector/Vicar? • Name of caller & caller’s comments (fill out comments after you leave)
Caller Do’s • Make appointments one hour apart, for a nominal half-hour-ish visit • If people don’t want a home visit, meet them somewhere else, or – as a last resort -- have the visit over the phone • Be prepared to talk for up to 30 minutes of “air time,” but try to have your callees talk at least 75% of the scheduled half hour • Let the conversation go on for up to 45 minutes, if that seems appropriate, but no more than 45 minutes • Don’t make notes on the form until after you’ve left
Caller Do’s (Cont’d) • Have some “ice-breaker” lines • “Are you all long-time Episcopalians/members of this church/Connecticut people?” • “How did the two of you meet?” • “Hi, I’m John Doe, your designated visitor for Trinity Church’s Every Member Visitation. I’d like to make an appointment for about a half an hour on Visitation Sunday. Would that be OK?” • “Well, how about some evening or on Saturday of the next week?”
Caller Don’ts • Don’t pressure people -- about anything • Don’t try to solve pastoral problems – report them to the Rector! • Don’t forget to thank the people you visit • Don’t call only on those who don’t turn in their cards • Don’t make any commitments you can’t keep yourself
Leader Do’s • Train callees as well as callers • Maintain confidentiality • Have callers make their own pledges before starting to make calls • Let givers give in any way they want (quarterly, once/year, etc.) • Root out misconceptions • Give newcomers a pledge card in their first couple of weeks • Have a pizza supper and reporting at 6:00 pm on Visiting Day – the reports give a great overview of where the congregation “is at!”
Appendix • Additional stewardship information may be found on: • Ted’sstewardship web site at http://members.aol.com/stewdship especially the FREE downloadable pamphlet. “Hints and Tips…” • the web site of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) at http://TENS.org. • Related information for parish leaders may be found at: • The Episcopal Network for Evangelism (ENE) http://members.aol.com/ene2020 • Evangelism and Mission Resources – http://members.aol.com/mssnevan