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Guests to Pilgrims Nuts and Bolts. Building an Effective “Welcoming System” or “New Member Ministry” April 30, 2010. What we know about Growing Healthier Churches. Care for Children & Youth Welcoming New People Participating in Parish Life. 3 Positive Predictors of Church Growth!.
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Guests to PilgrimsNuts and Bolts Building an Effective “Welcoming System” or “New Member Ministry” April 30, 2010
What we know about Growing Healthier Churches • Care for Children & Youth • Welcoming New People • Participating in Parish Life 3 Positive Predictors of Church Growth!
Guests to Pilgrims “…..I was a stranger and you welcomed me….. Matthew 25:35
The HII Process • Hospitality • Invitation • Incorporation
Hospitality • New Member Ministry (NMM)
Goal of the New Member Ministry! Rick Warren
From Guests to Pilgrims Rick Warren
Beauty of Ministry Groups Vestry Ministry Council Volunteer & Paid More Leaders: More Ministry Groups: More Growth!
Why It Works! • Feeder for Small Group Ministry. • Source of new leaders who will open up new ministry areas directly or indirectly. • Absence of NMM results in leadership stagnation. • Assists parish in looking OUTWARD! • Without NNM, church hits natural barrier @ 150-250.
Nuts and Bolts of Hospitality Ministry! • Purpose • Find out who they are • Tell them who we are • Get them into ministry • Make them feel welcome – part of the community
The Welcoming TEAM!!! • Coordinator • Clerical Person • Meal Team • Host Team • Teaching Team • Mentors or Sponsors
Keys for Success • Start small but build on experiences. • As you grow, hire a newcomer coordinator (part-time) and clerical support (part-time). • Suggestion: Use two people as different gifts are required. • Set the Standard High for newcomers. • Require classes for: • Transfer of membership, • pre-marital couples, • Baptisms & confirmations, etc.
Keys for Success • Determine what you want to accomplish? • Develop a Curriculum. • Persevere with a smile. Stand on prayer! • Resistance is softened when you explain why you want them to attend: • Find out who they are. • Tell them who we are. • Get them into ministry. • Make them feel welcome.
Keys for Success • Newcomers are usually hurting & hungry, regardless of how put-together they look. • Keep inviting (phone is preferable). The time has to be right in their circumstances. • Huge problems occur if a person signs up for a ministry and the ministry leader does NOT contact them.
Keys for Success • Encourage ministry leaders and members to rotate to other ministries or create new ministries in order to make room for newcomers. • Constantly re-evaluate & revise your newcomers ministry to make it more effective.
STRUCTURE • Frequency of Newcomer Classes • Continuous & Repeating Cycle, or • 3-5 times a year • Durationof Newcomer Classes • 4-5 weeks • 1-2 hours
STRUCTURE • Content • Lay or Clergy Lead Classes • Introductory Session: Key!!! - Breakfast or Lunch (Food) • Overview of Church – Sr. Warden • Who We Are! • Brief History • Ministries • Uniqueness • Overview of Class Topics
STRUCTURE • Class Topics: • Formation: Education & Ministry Opportunities • Stewardship Opportunities • Evangelism Opportunities • Church History
FOLLOW - UP • Welcome Service & Reception • Add to Mailing List & Data Base • Pledge Envelopes • Send Picture and Information to Ministry Leaders & Staff (Follow-up Calls to MinistryLeaders!) • Follow-up Calls to New Member • Constantly & Continuously Invite to Church Events • Pray without Ceasing!!!
NEWCOMER MINISTRY “…..I was a stranger and you welcomed me….. Matthew 25:35
Guests to PilgrimsNuts and Bolts Building an Effective “Welcoming System” or “New Member Ministry” April 30, 2010