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.

and see them join the life and and see them join the life and fellowship of your churchfellowship of your church

and see them join the life and and see them join the life and fellowship of your churchfellowship of your church

One Day SeminarOne Day Seminar

How to Reach How to Reach Unchurched Unchurched

People in Your People in Your CommunityCommunity

How to Reach How to Reach Unchurched Unchurched

People in Your People in Your CommunityCommunity

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.”

Clip

“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:Goal of the Seminar:

To help seminar participants (lay and To help seminar participants (lay and professional church leaders) develop professional church leaders) develop strategies that will successfully reach strategies that will successfully reach

unchurched people in their community, unchurched people in their community, with the goal of seeing them become with the goal of seeing them become

Christ’s disciples and responsible Christ’s disciples and responsible members of His church.members of His church.

To help seminar participants (lay and To help seminar participants (lay and professional church leaders) develop professional church leaders) develop strategies that will successfully reach strategies that will successfully reach

unchurched people in their community, unchurched people in their community, with the goal of seeing them become with the goal of seeing them become

Christ’s disciples and responsible Christ’s disciples and responsible members of His church.members of His church.

1.1. “It’s God’s will that His Church grow, “It’s God’s will that His Church grow,

that his lost children are found.” that his lost children are found.” - Donald McGavran- Donald McGavran

Theological Assumptions Theological Assumptions Behind Today’s SeminarBehind Today’s Seminar

““As you sent me into the world, I have sent them As you sent me into the world, I have sent them

into the world.” into the world.” John 17:18John 17:18 ““You will receive power when the Holy Spirit You will receive power when the Holy Spirit

comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8Acts 1:8

““I have come to seek and to save those who are I have come to seek and to save those who are lost.” lost.” Luke 19:10 Luke 19:10

““Go and make disciples of all people …”Go and make disciples of all people …” Matt. 28:19 Matt. 28:19


2. Great Commission Goal: To To proclaimproclaim Jesus Christ as Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to and Savior, to persuadepersuade people to people to become His disciples, and become His disciples, and responsible membersresponsible members of His Church. of His Church.





3. Lost people matter to growing churches.

3. Lost people matter to growing churches.


1.1. Churches grow in three ways:Churches grow in three ways:

Strategic Assumptions Strategic Assumptions Behind Today’s SeminarBehind Today’s Seminar


• BIOLOGICAL GROWTHBIOLOGICAL GROWTH




• TRANSFER GROWTHTRANSFER GROWTH




• TRANSFER GROWTHTRANSFER GROWTH

• CONVERSION GROWTHCONVERSION GROWTH



• BIOLOGICAL GROWTH

• TRANSFER GROWTH

• CONVERSION GROWTHCONVERSION GROWTH


Strategic Assumptions Strategic Assumptions Behind Today’s SeminarBehind Today’s SeminarStrategic Assumptions Strategic Assumptions

Behind Today’s SeminarBehind Today’s Seminar

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




3.3. ExistingExisting contacts for outreach will be contacts for outreach will be more responsive than cold contacts.more responsive than cold contacts.



4. Most churches in America need a new 4. Most churches in America need a new approach to conversion growth.approach to conversion growth.


3.3. ExistingExisting contacts for outreach will be contacts for outreach will be more responsive than cold contacts.more responsive than cold contacts.

The Process of Outreach to The Process of Outreach to Unchurched Families ...Unchurched Families ...

Building Bridges

Opening Doors

Thinking About Thinking About Effective OutreachEffective Outreach

How the How the Unchurched Unchurched

Become Become ChurchedChurched

SESSION TWO

Church Growth, Inc.

A Profile of the New ConvertA Profile of the New ConvertWho StaysWho Stays

A Profile of the New ConvertA Profile of the New Convert

1) … has developed meaningful 1) … has developed meaningful relationshipsrelationships with members with members priorprior to his/her conversion. to his/her conversion.

Who StaysWho Stays

• Special NeedSpecial Need 1 - 2%1 - 2%• Walk-InWalk-In 2 - 3%2 - 3%• VisitationVisitation 1 - 2%1 - 2%• Church ProgramChurch Program 2 - 3%2 - 3%• Mass EvangelismMass Evangelism 1/21/2%%• Sunday SchoolSunday School 4 - 5%4 - 5%• Pastor/StaffPastor/Staff 1 - 6%1 - 6%• Friend/RelativeFriend/Relative 75 - 90%75 - 90%

Why people first come to Why people first come to Christ and the church:Christ and the church:


2) … has been exposed to a 2) … has been exposed to a varietyvariety of evangelistic of evangelistic influences through the church.influences through the church.

Who StaysWho Stays

• Average number of evangelistic Average number of evangelistic influences influences active membersactive members were were exposed to:exposed to:

• Average number of evangelistic Average number of evangelistic influences influences drop-outsdrop-outs were exposed to: were exposed to:

Evangelistic InfluencesEvangelistic Influences

66

22


• Number of evangelistic influences Number of evangelistic influences provided in provided in growinggrowing churches:churches:

• Number of evangelistic influences Number of evangelistic influences provided in provided in plateauedplateaued churches: churches:

• Number of evangelistic influences Number of evangelistic influences provided in provided in decliningdeclining churches:churches:

8.68.6

6.56.5

3.33.3


John Wesley . . .John Wesley . . .

Try Pastoring the UnchurchedTry Pastoring the Unchurched


John Wesley . . .John Wesley . . .


Who StaysWho Stays

3) … views his/her conversion as 3) … views his/her conversion as non-manipulativenon-manipulative..

Information TransmissionInformation TransmissionInformation TransmissionInformation Transmission

Teacher to Teacher to StudentStudentTeacher to Teacher to StudentStudent

Three Views of EvangelismThree Views of Evangelism


Manipulative MonologueManipulative MonologueManipulative MonologueManipulative Monologue

Information TransmissionInformation TransmissionInformation TransmissionInformation TransmissionTeacher to StudentTeacher to StudentSalesman to CustomerSalesman to Customer


Non-Manipulative DialogueNon-Manipulative Dialogue Non-Manipulative DialogueNon-Manipulative Dialogue

Manipulative MonologueManipulative MonologueManipulative MonologueManipulative Monologue

Information TransmissionInformation TransmissionInformation TransmissionInformation TransmissionTeacher to StudentTeacher to StudentSalesman to CustomerSalesman to CustomerFriend to FriendFriend to Friend

Member’s View of EvangelismMember’s View of Evangelism

Category ofSubjects

InformationTransmission

ManipulativeMonologue

Non-Manip.Dialogue

TOTAL

Converts 33 38 169 240

Drop-Outs 25 209 6 240

Non-Converts 180 58 2 240

Category ofSubjects

InformationTransmission

ManipulativeMonologue

Non-Manip.Dialogue

TOTAL

Converts 33 38 169 240

Drop-Outs 25 209 6 240

Non-Converts 180 58 2 240

Subject Perceives Persuader Subject Perceives Persuader as Being Like a:as Being Like a:

Category ofSubjects Teacher Salesperson Friend TOTAL

Converts 5 65 170 240

Drop-Outs 36 203 1 240

Non-Convert 208 22 10 240

Category ofSubjects Teacher Salesperson Friend TOTAL

Converts 5 65 170 240

Drop-Outs 36 203 1 240

Non-Convert 208 22 10 240


4) … has recently experienced a 4) … has recently experienced a high degree of high degree of changechange..

Who StaysWho Stays

Receptivity — Resistance Receptivity — Resistance AxisAxis


RECEPTIVERECEPTIVERECEPTIVERECEPTIVE RESISTANTRESISTANTRESISTANTRESISTANT

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?



Degree of Change Degree of Change in Life Situationin Life Situation

Degree of Change Degree of Change in Life Situationin Life Situation

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

ConvertsDrop-OutsNon-Converts

much changeno change

nu

mbe

r of

per

son

s


Who StaysWho Stays5) … has established 5) … has established relationshipsrelationships

with members with members afterafter conversion. conversion.

New Friendships Established New Friendships Established After MembershipAfter Membership

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9+

ConvertsDrop-Outs

• 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 New Friendships Established After MembershipAfter Membership


6) … has become involved in a 6) … has become involved in a group, role, and/or task.group, role, and/or task.

Who StaysWho Stays

Ideal Group RatiosIdeal Group RatiosIdeal Group RatiosIdeal Group Ratios

• Groups to membersGroups to members 7:1007:100

• New groups to total groupsNew groups to total groups 1:51:5

• Long-term members involvedLong-term members involved 75:10075:100

• New members involvedNew members involved 90:10090:100

• Groups to membersGroups to members 7:1007:100

• New groups to total groupsNew groups to total groups 1:51:5

• Long-term members involvedLong-term members involved 75:10075:100

• New members involvedNew members involved 90:10090:100

Ideal Role/Task RatiosIdeal Role/Task RatiosIdeal Role/Task RatiosIdeal Role/Task Ratios

• Growing churchesGrowing churches 55:10055:100

• Plateaued churchesPlateaued churches 43:10043:100

• Declining churchesDeclining churches 27:10027:100

• Growing churchesGrowing churches 55:10055:100

• Plateaued churchesPlateaued churches 43:10043:100

• Declining churchesDeclining churches 27:10027:100

ImplicationsImplications

Defining Our Defining Our Target Target

AudienceAudience

SESSION THREE

Church Growth, Inc.

Reaching Unchurched Families Reaching Unchurched Families

Identify & Define Our Target Audience

1.1.




Plan Entry Events for Felt Needs

1.1. 2.2.




From Entry Eventsto Entry Paths

1.1. 2.2.

3.3.




From Entry Eventsto Entry Paths Successful Follow Up

1.1. 2.2.

3.3. 4.4.

Who Are Our Best Who Are Our Best Outreach Prospects?Outreach Prospects?Who Are Our Best Who Are Our Best

Outreach Prospects?Outreach Prospects?1. Friends/Relatives of Members2. Contacts through church programs

and special ministries3. Visitors who have not returned4. VBS Families5. Inactive members6. Christmas & Easter visitors7. Wedding & funeral contacts8. People in transition9. Inactive members of other churches

1. Friends/Relatives of Members2. Contacts through church programs

and special ministries3. Visitors who have not returned4. VBS Families5. Inactive members6. Christmas & Easter visitors7. Wedding & funeral contacts8. People in transition9. 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 Understanding Our Target Audience/sTarget Audience/s

Understanding Our Understanding Our Target Audience/sTarget Audience/s

Discussion questions (for your church):

– ““Which target group/s seem Which target group/s seem realistic to focus upon?” realistic to focus upon?”

– “ “Which of these groups do weWhich of these groups do we have or keep records on?” have or keep records on?”

– “ “What other ideas come to your What other ideas come to your mind concerning this topic?” mind concerning this topic?”

Who Are Our Best Who Are Our Best Outreach Prospects?Outreach Prospects?Who Are Our Best Who Are Our Best

Outreach Prospects?Outreach Prospects?

HHow Do We Get The ow Do We Get The

Best Information About Best Information About Our Target Audience?Our Target Audience?

HHow Do We Get The ow Do We Get The

Best Information About Best Information About Our Target Audience?Our Target Audience?

Focus GroupsFocus Groups

1. 50-minutes long

2. 8 - 12 people

3. Homogeneous (reflects the target group)

4. Led by (perceived) impartial moderator

5. Session is recorded (audio or video)

1. 50-minutes long

2. 8 - 12 people

3. Homogeneous (reflects the target group)

4. Led by (perceived) impartial moderator

5. Session is recorded (audio or video)

Characteristics of a Characteristics of a good focus group ... good focus group ...Characteristics of a Characteristics of a

good focus group ... good focus group ...

Profiling Your Profiling Your Target Man/WomanTarget Man/Woman

An Exercise ...An Exercise ...

Anticipating Anticipating Felt NeedsFelt Needs

Planning Planning Successful “Entry Successful “Entry Events” for Felt Events” for Felt

NeedsNeeds

SESSION FOUR

Church Growth, Inc.

Characteristics of a Characteristics of a Good Entry EventGood Entry Event

1. 1. MemberMember participation in defining, planning, participation in defining, planning, and conducting the event.and conducting the event.

2.2. Target groupTarget group participation in defining, participation in defining, planning, and conducting the event.planning, and conducting the event.

3.3. The event is The event is well-publicizedwell-publicized..

4.4. The event is conducted in an The event is conducted in an appropriate appropriate locationlocation. .

88

5.5. The event addresses a The event addresses a felt interest or felt interest or needneed which cannot be met elsewhere. which cannot be met elsewhere.

6. The event requires 6. The event requires low risk/obligationlow risk/obligation for for prospective attendee.prospective attendee.

7.7. The church’s purpose — and appropriate The church’s purpose — and appropriate opportunities for opportunities for further involvementfurther involvement — are — are communicated.communicated.

8.8. The The names and addressesnames and addresses of of participants are obtained.participants are obtained.

Characteristics of a Characteristics of a Good Entry EventGood Entry Event88

What should the message of What should the message of your entry events be?your entry events be?

What should the message of What should the message of your entry events be?your entry events be?

There is There is hopehope !!

From From Entry Events Entry Events to Entry Pathsto Entry Paths

SESSION FIVE

Church Growth, Inc.

What should the message of What should the message of your entry path be?your entry path be?

What should the message of What should the message of your entry path be?your entry path be?

You are You are lovedloved !!

1. The group/activity is of interest to 1. The group/activity is of interest to membersmembers and and non-membersnon-members, alike., alike.

2.2. There is low There is low riskrisk and and commitment commitment required.required.

3.3. It is held in a It is held in a neutralneutral meeting place. meeting place.

4.4. Prospects are Prospects are personallypersonally invited. invited.

7Characteristics of a Characteristics of a Good Entry PathGood Entry Path77

5.5. Time is spent building and nurturing Time is spent building and nurturing personal relationshipspersonal relationships among group among group members.members.

6.6. The group is composed of people who The group is composed of people who share things share things in commonin common..

7.7. The The benefitbenefit is perceived to be greater is perceived to be greater than the than the costcost..

7Characteristics of a Characteristics of a Good Entry PathGood Entry Path77

The The Spiritual Spiritual

Decision ProcessDecision Process

Ingredients of a Ingredients of a Successful Successful Follow-up Follow-up StrategyStrategy

SESSION SIX

Church Growth, Inc.

How Open Are You How Open Are You to Newcomers?to Newcomers?

How Open Are You How Open Are You to Newcomers?to Newcomers?

Membership tenure — Membership tenure — 1 : 21 : 2

Leadership tenure —Leadership tenure — 1 : 51 : 5

Likelihood Of Your Church Likelihood Of Your Church Assimilating New MembersAssimilating New Members

If 1/2 of your members joined If 1/2 of your members joined

1 - 5 years ago:1 - 5 years ago:

7 - 12 years ago:7 - 12 years ago:

15+ year ago:15+ year ago:

HIGHHIGH

MEDIUMMEDIUM

LOWLOW

Likelihood Of Your Church Likelihood Of Your Church Assimilating New MembersAssimilating New Members

Who is Now

Responsible

Current

Procedures

How Well We

Now Succeed

Locating and listing

receptive persons and

potential new member

Contacting, inviting,

communicating with

potential new

members

Guiding potential new

members to program,

fellowship groups or

other paths of entry

Follow-up — seeing

that newcomers are

involved in a

meaningful group,

role, or task

How and What are We Doing How and What are We Doing in Outreach & Assimilation?in Outreach & Assimilation?

The The Caring Caring SystemSystem

Source/Date/Person Preliminary Analysis First ContactAssigned Completed

Profile

Other Entry Events Available Entry Paths Available TaskTask Role Group

MbrshpPacket

MailingList

Assignments for additional follow-up callsAssigned Completed Additional info. and Recommended Actions

Entry Paths utilizedTask Role Group

Invitation extendedDate by whom

Membership classEnrolled Completed

JoinedChurch

3 month-callAssigned Completed

6-month callAssigned Completed

9-month callAssigned Completed

12 month callAssigned Completed

Entry Paths In Use Task Role Group

DIS

CO

VE

RY

RE

SP

ON

DIN

GA

SS

IMIL

AT

ION

NU

RT

UR

E

Name,address

Source,date

Preliminaryanalysis

1st contactassigned

1st contactcomp.

Mr. & Mrs. JB123 Main St.

Worshipattend.

3/18

St. John’sLutheran

Appt. inoffice ✔

J. H.4001 Roland

Phoned3/11

fromKentucky House call ✔

Mr. & Mrs. TL1730 Hill St.

Friend(ref. 2/27)

New in area,looking for

churchhome

House call ✔

A Caring System — A Caring System — DISCOVERYDISCOVERY

ProfileEntry Events

AvailableEntry Paths

Available

Looking for church.Choir. Grown kids

• “Meet the staff”• Easter sunrise serv.• Choir BBQ

• Choir (Scott)• Home group (Cindy)• Inquirer’s class

Family. Retardedchild. Needs job. H/S

age son

• “Meet the staff”• Easter sunrise serv.• Youth retreat• Ch. B-B league

• Inquirer’s class• Welcome to the Family class (Roger)• Alpha group (Emily)

Active in churchbefore move. WantsS.S. class. Children

in choir

• “Meet the staff”• Choir BBQ

• Inquirer’s class• Weigh Down Workshop (Ann)• Help w/ sanct. decor.

A Caring System — A Caring System — DISCOVERYDISCOVERY

(Profile) Assigned Compl. Assigned Compl.

Looking forchurch. Choir.

Grown kids

Scott -choir

✔ Staff call ✔

Family. Retardedchild. Needs job.

H/S age son

KateLaramore

✔ BB. coachfor son

✔

Active in churchbefore move.

Wants S.S. class.Children in choir

Adult class ✔ Scott -choir

✔

A Caring System — A Caring System — RESPONDINGRESPONDING

(Profile) Assigned Compl. Assigned Compl.

Looking forchurch. Choir.

Grown kids

Myra (newmember)

✔

Family. Retardedchild. Needs job.

H/S age son

Youth callon son

✔ (Donmet atconcert

Arrangedjob

interview✔

Active in churchbefore move.

Wants S.S. class.Children in choir

Kim(neighbor)ride choir

✔Helen

invite kidsPioneer Cl.

✔

A Caring System — A Caring System — RESPONDINGRESPONDING

Entry PathsUtilized

Invitation toOrientation(by whom)

Mbrshpclass

CompJoinedchurch

3-mocall

ChoirActive in SS(Bereans)

✔ (J im) enrolled ✔ 8/14✔

(SL)

Son has attendedmany youth

events. Mrs. JBin Kay’s group

✔(Kay) enrolled ✔ 11/24 ✔(SL)

Both active in SS(Mariners) &

choir✔ (J im)

A Caring System — A Caring System — ASSIMILATIONASSIMILATION

6-month call

Assgn. Comp.

9-month call

Assgn. Comp.

12-month call

Assgn. Comp.

Entry Paths in Use

(Role/Task/Group)

Sid ✔ Sid ✔ Ted ✔• active in choir• small group ldr. apprentice

Helen ✔ Helen ✔ Ted ✔

• son active in youth group• couple involvedin Alpha group

A Caring System — A Caring System — NURTURENURTURE

Principles for Principles for Effective AssimilationEffective 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.

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.

Documents

todays seminar slide

community church growth

seminar participants

day seminar

lost people

jesus christ

unchurched people

responsible members