Follow Up Your Christmas Programs

Many people who rarely darken the door of a church will come and see the Sunday school Christmas program or to hear the Christmas cantata presented by the church choir. There is a great deal of excitement generated on these special days. People are more careful to welcome visitors and to show genuine pleasure that they have come. Don’t fail to capitalize on the golden opportunity for new contacts that this presents. Be sure that visitors sign your church guest book or fill out cards with their name, address and telephone number. This will make it possible for you to contact them again later by visiting their home or placing a telephone call of invitation to some other special event or activity within your church or Sunday school. Even just an invitation to a social evening in the home of one of the congregation says, "I’m interested in getting to know you better." This is the first step in drawing someone into the fellowship of your church and Sunday school.

Research proves that most people come to a church for the first time because they know someone who belongs to that church. Further study indicates that people will remain in a Sunday school or church if they quickly become acquainted with at least 7 people in the Sunday school class or congregation or if they become friends with at least 3 other persons in the church. This means that friendship is vital to a growing church.

Plan a carefully organized follow-up program for folks who live in the area surrounding your church that have no church home of their own, or who show an interest in your church or Sunday school.

One church took the guest cards and assigned each visitor to a family of the congregation who lived closest to them and was willing to cultivate a friendship with them. It was amazing how soon many of those "visitors" became "regulars" in worship and Sunday school.

Remember that it takes time to build friendships. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t receive immediate response to your friendly overtures. Don’t give up. Kindly persistence demonstrates sincere interest and concern and will usually produce dividends. Great things can happen when we earnestly pray and do our part.

(This article appeared in the "Winter, 1993-94" issue of "The Herald.")