"The components of a good program"

"A Mission Night"

The best learning process for adults is to experience something. Experiencing mission information is possible. One of the most meaningful programs in which I've participated happened this way.

1. Every Adult, and Youth Sunday School Class were invited to choose a country they would introduce to the congregation. Each group would plan a finger food meal to be part of their presentation. Posters were to be made of the lifestyle of the masses of the country. Specific opportunities for ministry in the country were to be publicized by the use of posters, people carrying on a conversation one on one about the needs of the country while dressed in a native costume. Secure a video, or slide presentation to help tell the story.

2. Have the program in a large room like a fellowship hall.  Each group is assigned an area in the Fellowship Hall, and or Sunday School Rooms near by to present their program.

3. The congregation is invited to leisurely visit each exhibit.

The fellowship introduced people to each other on a personal level. Interaction with presenters places the information in people's minds at a deeper level than a regular presentation. The taste of different foods, and the presentation of native dress brought it all together.

This type of program is always a resounding success with large attendance.   The presenters will number as many people as most normal family nights.

"A Successful Church Visitation Program"

Begin with your committee accepting responsibility for each phase.

1. Place a blank 3X5 index card in the church bulletin. As an act of Dedication in response to the sermon have as many as will to write the name and address of a family member, neighbor or friend who do not attend church on the card. Have the ushers to receive the cards as they would the Sunday Offering. Dedicate the names at the altar.

2. Place another card in the Church Bulletin and ask for people to sign up for a visit with another person in the church to take a small gift to the homes of the folks presented the week before. Have a booklet about the program of the church for each visit, a church bulletin, and a coffee cup, or maybe a loaf of bread.

3. Set aside a Sunday Afternoon, or an evening. Have all the visitors to meet at the church. Sing a song, Have a prayer, and tell them they are to go as ambassadors of the church to invite folks to visit the church. Stay only 15 minutes, or less. Talk about the programs of your church, and the opportunities available for ministry.

4. Ask the visitors to fill out a card upon their return with the following information.

a. response of the people visited

b. should there be a follow up

c. would they appreciate a mailing from the church

d. Is there a specific need for ministry in the home

5. Have Visitation Committee to keep up with families showing positive response at least once a month, until they join as ask you to quit.

People are looking for a church that cares. There are few churches which really do. I've been retired for 8 months, and have visited approximately 10 churches. Only one pastor has shown any interest at all. His interest waned when he found I was retired clergy. All the years I received 100 people a year I thought I must be something real good as a preacher. Now I know the best thing I had going was simple, continual contact showing some interest.

The best visit a minister might make in these days is a 5 minute telephone call. I kept a list of prospects for membership garnered from the church fellowship pads. I got the names off the pads myself. I discovered that lay people never had the same list as my own. I placed the names in my computer with telephone, and address. Once a week I spent an evening going through my list from 6:00 until 8:30. I've made as many as 30 contacts on a given night.

The call would go something like this:

Hello, I'm Tom Faggart, minister of _____ church. In checking our fellowship pad at the church, I've discovered your visit. Just wanted to call and to say ... welcome. (Wait until the people respond. Pay close attention.) Most of them will tell you why they came to the church. Some will tell you they have a relationship with another church. Others will tell you they are new to the community. Ask them about the place they came from. Find out their connections in the church. Ask about children, ages, needs, and interests. Keep notes on the family.

Give the names of the people you call to:

1. Sunday School Classes where you feel they will fit

2. children's name to scout leaders, youth leaders, and music programs in the church.

3. Give wife's name to women's groups

4. Give men's name to men's groups

Call these people once a month. Say, "Just calling to check on how life is going for you. Are you making contacts in the church?"

Encourage members to become personal helpers by following up on the names you give them. Most people in the church are overwhelmed when their minister calls to ask for personal help. "No preacher had ever done that." They wanted them to join a committee, or collect money or pledges ... most have never been asked for help on a specific ministerial task in a specific way. It works!

When you get enough families on your list for a group hold an "Orientation Class". Meet in a room in the church during church school. I took six weeks. I discussed: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Beginning of the early church, splits in the church, the UMC church, and our local church in particular. On the last Sunday I would have leaders to come before the group and tell of their tasks in the church. I would never ask people to join in the group. I would always contact them at home, usually on the phone to find out if they were ready to join. We would establish a membership Sunday. I would then receive them into the life of the church.