(COME) Commission on Membership and Evangelism Mission Statement: It is our desire to enlarge the Body of Christ bringing people into the presence of God by; evangelizing the lost, edifying the saved, ministering to the needs of the people and being a presence in the community. We will continue to provide support to the various ministries of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

How to Become a “People Friendly” Church How to Become a “People Friendly” Church

It Begins With The Attitude!

BE CAREFUL OF YOUR ATTITUDE!! *YOUR BODY LANGUAGE *YOUR TONE OF VOICE *YOUR WAY OF RESPONDING ARE ALL PART OF THE ATTITUDE.

Our A ttitudes play an essential part In the Life of the Church!

BE MINDFUL OF HOW WE TALK TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY! OF HOW WE TREAT THEM! THAT HOW WE TREAT OUR CHURCH MEMBERS CAN BE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE MAY TREAT OUR GUEST. THAT OUR GUESTS ARE WATCHING US!

Our attitudes should be the same as that of Christ Jesus

Philippians 2:1-5 1) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2) complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3) Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. 4) Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness….He humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!”

He without sin among you, let him cast the first stone John 8:7

WHEN YOU HAVE A “CHRIST” LIKE ATTITUDE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT MIND SET YOU ARE MORE PLEASANT YOU ARE MORE CONSIDERATE YOU ARE MORE OF A PARTICIPANT

LET’S SET THE ATMOSHPERE  FOR MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE  FOR THE PREACHED WORD  FOR PEOPLE COMING IN WITH CONCERNS, PROBLEMS, I SSUES, S ICKNESS, S HACKLES & Y OLKES

BECAUSE WE ARE THE SPIRITUAL HOSPITAL!

Three Aspects of becoming a “People Friendly” Church The Invitation The Welcome The Follow-Up

The Invitation

Identify the Entry Points At Work At School At various Businesses At Shopping Centers At Grocery Stores At Recreational locations At Home!

When Inviting  Always keep the “customer” in mind. *Address the people’s need  Use your local print media liberally. *Weekly papers (call & price how much ads will be and budget) *Yellow pages (Include worship times and a map in your Yellow Pages ad. )  Use local radio or TV stations

When Inviting You can produce brochures and place them at city hall, realtors, day care centers, etc. Create a web page for your church or flyers; including things of interest to the community. Be visible in community activities and events-- giving not taking! (don’t always sale or charge) Most importantly a Verbal invite goes a long way.

The Welcome

BE PREPARED FOR YOUR GUEST Minimize the number of “dissatisfied Guest”

REMEMBER GUEST ARE LIKE “SPECIAL GUESTS” IN YOUR HOME!

Think Like a Guest Would you be impressed by the facility and landscaping? Would you be able to find the rest rooms without asking? Would you feel comfortable leaving your child in the nursery? Would you understand what takes place during the worship service?

Think Like a Guest (Cont.) Would you be embarrassed or pressured during your visit? Would you be greeted and accepted as you are? Would you come back next week?

Look at Your Facility Parking Landscaping Décor Clean Rest Rooms Directional Signs

Greeting and Identifying Guest Greeters Badges, Stickers, Ribbons, Etc. Public Acknowledgement Guest Book or Card

Worship Can guest follow the service? Do people participate? Are programs available and understandable Does it flow well? Do people bring friends? Do children, youth, young adult feel included?

Child Care Concerns During Worship? Clean and Safe? Competent Supervision? Clear Policies and Emergency Procedures? Training for Child Care Workers?

MAKE THEM FEEL APPRECIATED

What can you give your guests? Guest Information Packet Coffee Mugs Pens or Pencils Jars of Jelly Baked goods Refrigerator Magnet

Things to remember you by

Ideas for Larger Churches Information Guests’ Center Informational Video Interactive Computer in Lobby Map of Facilities Brochures on Church Ministry Electronic Brochure on CD

The Follow-Up!

IMMEDIATE FOLLOW-UP IS THE KEY!

Follow-Up Gather information about guest. Their addresses, mailing addresses, and phone numbers. visitors after their first visit. Send personalized letters/post card. Make phone contact after their first visit. Try to make a short personal visit within the first week or two. Extend a special invitation to future events of particular interest.

Guests’ Information Card

VITAL FOLLOW-UP

Longer Term Follow-up Maintain a “Friends” , mailing, and phone list— contact weekly or monthly; you can mail out quarterly “Friends” newsletter with updates of services and events. Maintain web page content or a file on guests. Help returning guest find their “place”--give them a job where they can use their gifts; if they want to Incorporate them into small groups. If they have become a regular visitor ask if they would like to participate in future events.

MOMENTS OF TRUTHS

13 Moments of Truth for Visitors #1 - Receiving an invitation to church #2 - Driving to the church building or by #3 - Walking to the front door #4 - Entering the front door #5 - Entering the sanctuary #6 - Being Greeted

Moments of Truths (Cont.) #7 - Experiencing ministries and service #8 - Participating in the worship service #9 - Meeting people #10-Exiting the worship service #11- Being Contacted within the first week #12- Will I return #13- Being Contacted in the months ahead

Evaluating Your Ministry What can your church do to invite more people to meet Jesus? What can your church do to be more welcoming to visitors? What can your church do to follow up on visitors?

The Love of Jesus Christ for us can help our church to become a “People Friendly” Church!

The Proof is in the Cross!