and see them join the life and fellowship of your church One Day Seminar How to Reach Unchurched People in Your Community Church Growth, Inc.

“This morning, as we pray for the sick and infirmed, brother Larry Dukwalker would like us to remember his ailing hard drive.”

“Do you know that your pianist just played a Beattles song as the offertory?”

“When my daughter said you were the leader of a small group, I really had something else in mind.”

“On the other hand, maybe we’re not quite ready for seeker services.”

Goal of the Seminar: To help seminar participants (lay and professional church leaders) develop strategies that will successfully reach unchurched people in their community, with the goal of seeing them become Christ’s disciples and responsible members of His church.

1.“It’s God’s will that His Church grow, that his lost children are found.” - Donald McGavran Theological Assumptions Behind Today’s Seminar

3“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” John 17:18 3“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 3“I have come to seek and to save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 3“Go and make disciples of all people …” Matt. 28:19 Theological Assumptions Behind Today’s Seminar

2. Great Commission Goal: To proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to persuade people to become His disciples, and responsible members of His Church. 2. Great Commission Goal: To proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to persuade people to become His disciples, and responsible members of His Church. Theological Assumptions Behind Today’s Seminar

2. Great Commission Goal: To proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to persuade people to become His disciples, and responsible members of His Church. 2. Great Commission Goal: To proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to persuade people to become His disciples, and responsible members of His Church. 3. Lost people matter to growing churches. Theological Assumptions Behind Today’s Seminar

1.Churches grow in three ways: Strategic Assumptions Behind Today’s Seminar

1.Churches grow in three ways: BIOLOGICAL GROWTHBIOLOGICAL GROWTH Strategic Assumptions Behind Today’s Seminar

1.Churches grow in three ways: BIOLOGICAL GROWTHBIOLOGICAL GROWTH TRANSFER GROWTHTRANSFER GROWTH Strategic Assumptions Behind Today’s Seminar

1.Churches grow in three ways: BIOLOGICAL GROWTHBIOLOGICAL GROWTH TRANSFER GROWTHTRANSFER GROWTH CONVERSION GROWTHCONVERSION GROWTH Strategic Assumptions Behind Today’s Seminar

1.Churches grow in three ways: BIOLOGICAL GROWTH TRANSFER GROWTH CONVERSION GROWTHCONVERSION GROWTH Strategic Assumptions Behind Today’s Seminar

2. Effective evangelism (conversion growth) begins with identifying and responding to felt needs, in Jesus’ name.

Strategic Assumptions Behind Today’s Seminar 2. Effective evangelism (conversion growth) begins with identifying and responding to felt needs, in Jesus’ name. 3.Existing contacts for outreach will be more responsive than cold contacts.

Strategic Assumptions Behind Today’s Seminar 4. Most churches in America need a new approach to conversion growth. 2. Effective evangelism (conversion growth) begins with identifying and responding to felt needs, in Jesus’ name. 3.Existing contacts for outreach will be more responsive than cold contacts.

The Process of Outreach to Unchurched Families... Building Bridges Opening Doors

Thinking About Effective Outreach

How the Unchurched Become Churched SESSION TWO Church Growth, Inc.

A Profile of the New Convert Who Stays

A Profile of the New Convert 1) … has developed meaningful relationships with members prior to his/her conversion. Who Stays

Special Need1 - 2%Special Need1 - 2% Walk-In2 - 3%Walk-In2 - 3% Visitation1 - 2%Visitation1 - 2% Church Program2 - 3%Church Program2 - 3% Mass Evangelism 1/2 %Mass Evangelism 1/2 % Sunday School4 - 5%Sunday School4 - 5% Pastor/Staff1 - 6%Pastor/Staff1 - 6% Friend/Relative %Friend/Relative % Why people first come to Christ and the church:

A Profile of the New Convert 2) … has been exposed to a variety of evangelistic influences through the church. Who Stays

Average number of evangelistic influences active members were exposed to:Average number of evangelistic influences active members were exposed to: Average number of evangelistic influences drop-outs were exposed to:Average number of evangelistic influences drop-outs were exposed to: Evangelistic Influences 6 2

Number of evangelistic influences provided in growing churches:Number of evangelistic influences provided in growing churches: Number of evangelistic influences provided in plateaued churches:Number of evangelistic influences provided in plateaued churches: Number of evangelistic influences provided in declining churches:Number of evangelistic influences provided in declining churches:

Evangelistic Influences l John Wesley...

l Try Pastoring the Unchurched Evangelistic Influences l John Wesley...

A Profile of the New Convert Who Stays 3) … views his/her conversion as non-manipulative.

l Information Transmission Teacher to Student Three Views of Evangelism

l Manipulative Monologue l Information Transmission Teacher to Student Salesman to Customer

Three Views of Evangelism l Non-Manipulative Dialogue l Manipulative Monologue l Information Transmission Teacher to Student Salesman to Customer Friend to Friend

Member’s View of Evangelism

Subject Perceives Persuader as Being Like a:

A Profile of the New Convert 4) … has recently experienced a high degree of change. Who Stays

Receptivity — Resistance Axis RECEPTIVERECEPTIVERESISTANTRESISTANT

Who would be more receptive? Person who recently moved into a new community, or person who has lived in the same location for 20 years? Person recently hospitalized, or person in good heath? Person who just lost their job, or person with long- term employment? Couple with first child or couple with fifth child? Who would be more receptive? Person who recently moved into a new community, or person who has lived in the same location for 20 years? Person recently hospitalized, or person in good heath? Person who just lost their job, or person with long- term employment? Couple with first child or couple with fifth child? Receptivity — Resistance Axis

Degree of Change in Life Situation much changeno change number of persons

A Profile of the New Convert Who Stays 5) … has established relationships with members after conversion.

New Friendships Established After Membership

The typical “convert” made an average of 7 new friends in the church. The typical “drop-out” made an average of 2 new friends in the church. New Friendships Established After Membership

A Profile of the New Convert 6) … has become involved in a group, role, and/or task. Who Stays

Ideal Group Ratios Groups to members 7:100Groups to members 7:100 New groups to total groups 1:5New groups to total groups 1:5 Long-term members involved75:100Long-term members involved75:100 New members involved90:100New members involved90:100 Groups to members 7:100Groups to members 7:100 New groups to total groups 1:5New groups to total groups 1:5 Long-term members involved75:100Long-term members involved75:100 New members involved90:100New members involved90:100

Ideal Role/Task Ratios Growing churches55:100Growing churches55:100 Plateaued churches43:100Plateaued churches43:100 Declining churches27:100Declining churches27:100 Growing churches55:100Growing churches55:100 Plateaued churches43:100Plateaued churches43:100 Declining churches27:100Declining churches27:100

Implications

Defining Our Target Audience SESSION THREE Church Growth, Inc.

Reaching Unchurched Families

Identify & Define Our Target Audience 1. Reaching Unchurched Families

Identify & Define Our Target Audience Plan Entry Events for Felt Needs 1.2.

Reaching Unchurched Families Identify & Define Our Target Audience Plan Entry Events for Felt Needs From Entry Events to Entry Paths

Reaching Unchurched Families Identify & Define Our Target Audience Plan Entry Events for Felt Needs From Entry Events to Entry Paths Successful Follow Up

Who Are Our Best Outreach Prospects? 1. Friends/Relatives of Members 2. Contacts through church programs and special ministries 3. Visitors who have not returned 4. VBS Families 5. Inactive members 6. Christmas & Easter visitors 7. Wedding & funeral contacts 8. People in transition 9. Inactive members of other churches 1. Friends/Relatives of Members 2. Contacts through church programs and special ministries 3. Visitors who have not returned 4. VBS Families 5. Inactive members 6. Christmas & Easter visitors 7. Wedding & funeral contacts 8. People in transition 9. Inactive members of other churches

A.Age B.Marital Status C.Family Status D.Special Interests/Hobbies E.Special Needs/Concerns/Problems F.Religious Background/Attitudes G.Cultural/Ethnic Identity A.Age B.Marital Status C.Family Status D.Special Interests/Hobbies E.Special Needs/Concerns/Problems F.Religious Background/Attitudes G.Cultural/Ethnic Identity Understanding Our Target Audience/s

Discussion questions ( for your church ): “Which target group/s seem realistic to focus upon?” – “Which target group/s seem realistic to focus upon?” – “Which of these groups do we have or keep records on?” – “What other ideas come to your mind concerning this topic?” Who Are Our Best Outreach Prospects?

H ow Do We Get The Best Information About Our Target Audience? Focus Groups Focus Groups

1. 50-minutes long people 3. Homogeneous (reflects the target group) 4. Led by (perceived) impartial moderator 5. Session is recorded (audio or video) minutes long people 3. Homogeneous (reflects the target group) 4. Led by (perceived) impartial moderator 5. Session is recorded (audio or video) Characteristics of a good focus group...

Profiling Your Target Man/Woman

An Exercise... Anticipating Felt Needs

Planning Successful “Entry Events” for Felt Needs SESSION FOUR Church Growth, Inc.

Characteristics of a Good Entry Event 1. Member participation in defining, planning, and conducting the event. 2.Target group participation in defining, planning, and conducting the event. 3.The event is well-publicized. 4.The event is conducted in an appropriate location. 8 8

5.The event addresses a felt interest or need which cannot be met elsewhere. 6. The event requires low risk/obligation for prospective attendee. 7.The church’s purpose — and appropriate opportunities for further involvement — are communicated. 8.The names and addresses of participants are obtained. Characteristics of a Good Entry Event 8 8

What should the message of your entry events be? There is hope !

From Entry Events to Entry Paths SESSION FIVE Church Growth, Inc.

What should the message of your entry path be? You are loved !

1. The group/activity is of interest to members and non-members, alike. 2.There is low risk and commitment required. 3.It is held in a neutral meeting place. 4.Prospects are personally invited. 7 Characteristics of a Good Entry Path 7 7

5.Time is spent building and nurturing personal relationships among group members. 6.The group is composed of people who share things in common. 7.The benefit is perceived to be greater than the cost. 7 Characteristics of a Good Entry Path 7 7

The Spiritual Decision Process

Ingredients of a Successful Follow-up Strategy SESSION SIX Church Growth, Inc.

How Open Are You to Newcomers? Membership tenure — 1 : 2 Leadership tenure —1 : 5

Likelihood Of Your Church Assimilating New Members

If 1/2 of your members joined years ago: years ago: 15+ year ago: HIGH MEDIUM LOW Likelihood Of Your Church Assimilating New Members

How and What are We Doing in Outreach & Assimilation?

The Caring System

DISCOVERY RESPONDING ASSIMILATION NURTURE

A Caring System — DISCOVERY

A Caring System — RESPONDING

A Caring System — ASSIMILATION

A Caring System — NURTURE

Principles for Effective Assimilation 1. Build an assimilation consciousness. 2. Create opportunities to build new friendships. 3.Regularly start new groups. 4. Create new roles & tasks, and communicate them. 5.Monitor involvement levels.