“Your post-service follow-up consists of the free gift you offer your first-timers and what you make available to them at your guest table. Offering a gree gift – preferably a good book – not only encourages your first-time guests to turn in their contact information, but also gives you the powerful opportunity to surprise them with something that can help … Read More
Assimilation Lessons from a BIG Mistake (Part 2 of 2)
In last week’s first of this two-part series, I mentioned how on a Sunday not too long ago, at one of our Journey early services, we had zero first-time guests. It’s very rare for us to have zero anything, so we began to drill down and figure out why there weren’t any first-time guests identified at this service. We have … Read More
The Three F’s of Follow-up
“There are three things to keep in mind as you seek to create a follow-up strategy that will bring your guests back. I like to refer to them as the three F’s of follow-up: Follow up fast. Don’t underestimate the power of a quick follow up. There is a new expectation for immediacy in our world. Be friendly. Your follow-up … Read More
Assimilation Lessons from a BIG Mistake (Part 1 of 2)
I’m confessing this to you in hopes that you will avoid making a similar mistake and take action today in evaluating your own Assimilation system. One Sunday not too long ago, at one of our Journey early services, we had zero first-time guests. It is very rare for us to have zero anything! We always have first-time guests, new believers … Read More
The Importance of Connecting with First-Time Guests
“You and I have been called to plant and water so that God can grow the harvest – and not to plant and water haphazardly, but to the best of our abilities, as we are laboring for his kingdom. We must do the work to ensure a connection with our guests. God promises that if we step toward him, he … Read More
Avoid Putting Your First-Time Guests in the Hot Seat Copy
“Most unchurched individuals stay that way because they don’t think they can visit a service anonymously. They are afraid they’ll have attention drawn to them by having to stand and say their name or participate in some other welcoming ritual. Knowing that fear of public speaking ranks higher in psychological studies than the fear of death, why do so many … Read More
Avoid Putting Your First-Time Guests in the Hot Seat
“Most unchurched individuals stay that way because they don’t think they can visit a service anonymously. They are afraid they’ll have attention drawn to them by having to stand and say their name or participate in some other welcoming ritual. Knowing that fear of public speaking ranks higher in psychological studies than the fear of death, why do so many … Read More
The Critical Step for First-Time Guests
“Knowing how to structure the use of the Connection Card for maximum impact is critical to your guests’ future. It’s about giving your guests the best possible opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and turn over closely held information. Why? Not so that you can add to the numbers, but so that you can follow up with them … Read More
The Most Effective Method to Gather Guest Information
“The Connection Card is a card that enables you to connect with every person who attends your church on a given Sunday. Measuring about a third of a page, the Connection Card is printed on card stock and inserted into the program. Don’t stick it in the back of the chairs or pews. Put it in the program, and put … Read More
Be Intentional in Contacting Your First-Time Guests
“Unchurched people usually need more than a single exposure to God’s truth and the power of his love before they start becoming receptive to its meaning for them. That’s why it’s incredibly important for you to make them feel welcome and ensure that you know how to follow up with them and invite them back to your church. So what’s … Read More