The Welcoming Church:
Connecting Newcomers
Contents
PAGE
Leaders Guide .................................................................................................... 2
Interview:
WILLING TO COMMIT
interview with Reggie McNeal ............................................................................ 3
Assessment:
WELCOME CHECK-UP
by Stephen C. Butler............................................................................................ 5
Case Studies:
CAN THIS CLASS BECOME MORE WELCOMING?
by Don Michael McDonald ................................................................................. 6
THE FRINGE MINISTRY LEADER
by Rich Doebler .................................................................................................. 7
OVERCOMING RESISTANCE TO GROWTH
by John Throop ................................................................................................... 8
Devotionals:
FROM OUTSIDERS TO INSIDERS
by Steven D. Mathewson ..................................................................................... 9
NO CHARTER FOR COMFORT
by James D. Berkley .......................................................................................... 10
How-To Articles:
FROM VISITORS TO ATTENDERS
by Charles Arn .................................................................................................. 11
A WELCOMING PLACE
by Rich Nathan .................................................................................................. 12
FILLING THE CRACKS
by Dave Wilkinson ............................................................................................ 13
POINTS OF ENTRY
by Lyle Schaller................................................................................................. 14
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
by Charles Arn .................................................................................................. 15
RESTORED FOR SERVICE
by Daniel Brown and Bob Moeller ................................................................... 17
REJECTED
by David Slagle ................................................................................................. 18
Activities
WHO IS OUR TARGET?
by Wayne Schmidt ............................................................................................. 20
Resources
FURTHER EXPLORATION ....................................................................................... 21
Sample Retreat ................................................................................................. 22
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS, published by LEADERSHIP Resources © 2000 Christianity Today Intl
www.BuildingChurchLeaders.com
page 1
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Leader’s Guide
How to use “Connecting Newcomers” in your team meetings.
At BuildingChurchLeaders.com, we recognize that there is no “one size fits all” approach to church leadership
training. Every church—and every team—is unique, with its own set of strengths and challenges that stand
between where you are and where you want to be. That is why we have created Training Tracks—to help each
church get from where you are today to where you can be tomorrow.
This resource, “Connecting Newcomers,” is part of The Growing Church Training Track—Level One. This
basic level includes assessments, theoretical and biblical foundations, practical skills training, case studies, and
a retreat plan for an extended training time. When you have completed this training, move on through the other
downloads in level one, and then on to levels two and three, which also incorporate multiple types of training
content to dig deeper into the specific opportunities and challenges that deal with The Growing Church.
1. Select a learning tool. In “Connecting Newcomers” from The Growing Church Training Track, you’ll
find multiple types of handouts from which to choose:
♦ interview
♦ devotionals
♦ resources
♦ assessment tools
♦ how-to articles
♦ sample retreat
♦ case studies
♦ activities
2. Select a handout. Suppose, for example, you have decided that your board or team needs to work
through a case study together. There are three case study options: “Can This Class Become More
Welcoming?” (p. 6) “The Fringe Ministry Leader” (p. 7) and “Overcoming Resistance to Growth” (p. 8). From
these options, select the one that best fits what you want to accomplish.
3. Photocopy the handout. Let’s say you selected “Welcome Check-up.” Photocopy as many copies as
you need—you do not need to ask for permission to photocopy any material from Building Church Leaders (as
long as you are using the material in a church or educational setting and are not charging for it).
4. Prepare for the discussion. We recommend you read the Scripture passages and identify key
discussion questions. How will you apply the principles to specific decisions your church is making?
5. Lead the discussion. Each handout can be read within 5 minutes. After you have allowed time for
reading, begin the discussion by asking one of the provided questions. Be ready to move the discussion to
specific issues your church is facing.
Each Building Church Leaders handout can be discussed in 15 or 20 minutes. Your board, committee, or team
will still have plenty of time to discuss its agenda.
Need more material, or something on a specific topic? See our website at www.BuildingChurchLeaders.com.
To contact the editors:
E-mail BCL@christianitytoday.com
Mail
BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS, Christianity Today
465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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page 2
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/LEADER’S GUIDE
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
Willing to Commit
How to tap into the needs of newcomers.
Philippians 2:5–11; Romans 15:1–2
How do leaders connect visitors into the life of the church? In this interview, Reggie McNeal,
missional leadership specialist for Leadership Network, says the place to begin is with your
assumptions.
In an era in which institutional commitment and loyalty seem thin, how does a church
motivate people to connect deeper into its body life?
Reggie McNeal: It’s ludicrous to say people aren’t willing to make commitments. However, people are no
longer willing to commit to the old paradigm of church membership—“Come help us build a great church.”
People are desperate for some kind of spiritual experience and encounter and are vitally intrigued by people
willing to commit to them. In the past, commitment was defined as getting people to commit to a church—how
can we get these people committed to us, or even get church members committed to show up? But now
commitment is defined by the people: “We want a church that will commit to us.”
So how does a church commit to people and thus connect them into the church?
Churches committed to people have a passion for people because its leaders have a passion for Jesus. That
sounds simple, but it’s the first piece. The second piece is translating that passion into action.
Most churches send visitors or new members a packet of envelopes, a calendar, a directory—what I call “clubmember stuff.” The assumption is these people have come to the church to make it a better church.
But now let’s reverse that: A person joins the church and instead of a packet of information about what the
church has to offer, she meets with someone who says, “What would you like to see happen in your life over
the next 12 months in a spiritual way?”
Do you see the difference? This approach says to newcomers: “We’re not trying to fit you into our culture
here, our club. We are here for you.” It convinces people that the church is vitally interested in their personal
spiritual growth.
Let’s assume our church is passionate about serving the spiritual needs of newcomers.
What’s the next step?
Every church ought to know what people want to learn. How do you find that out? Ask them what they’d like
to see happen in their spiritual lives. You may discover what God’s really up to! You don’t start your planning
with calendars and budgets; you start with people.
But any shift in the way your church serves newcomers requires a conversion in how the leadership group
views the mission of the church.
What’s a specific example of how a church could change its approach?
Shift the focus of your membership process, and change the focus of your classes. Turn the entire process into
a coaching session to help newcomers identify their learning goals. The wrong question is “How do we get our
church to grow?” To tap into what God is doing, figure out ways to get out of the church. Connect with people
who hunger for God and then provide them with what they need to develop into followers of Christ. Don’t
begin with what you have to offer; start with what people want to learn.
—REGGIE MCNEAL is missional leadership specialist for Leadership Network; © 2000, updated 2012
Christianity Today/BuildingChurchLeaders.com.
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
www.BuildingChurchLeaders.com
page 3
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/INTERVIEW
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
Discuss
1. In Philippians 2:7 it says that Jesus took the “very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
How does his model form the biblical basis for meeting the needs of those seeking God?
2. How do you feel about “starting with what people want to learn”? How would this change the way you
interact with and draw in newcomers?
3. What process do you currently use to connect people to your church? How can you use this model to
improve that?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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page 4
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/INTERVIEW
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
Welcome Check-up
How does our congregation measure up?
Acts 16:14–15; Matthew 5:13–14
Every church wants to welcome and nurture new people. Here are five categories to help you
assess how your church is doing:
 Visibility. Newcomers to our community can easily find out about our church through our website and
Facebook. Our building is easy to find. If it is not, we have visible signs that clearly point the way. We
have a prominent sign listing our church name and times of services; the information is up-to-date.
 First Impressions. Our grounds are well maintained. We have adequate parking, and our lot does not
have major problems. Our building is accessible to the physically handicapped. Friendly members greet
people at each major entrance. Bulletin boards or other displays inside the church are attractive and upto-date. Childcare is available. Room numbers and directions are clearly visible.
 Worship Experience. The bulletin is easy to read. It lists the church’s name, address, phone number,
and website. The words to hymns, whether printed or displayed, are easy to read. Directions are given
for all portions of the service in which people participate, such as prayers and responsive readings.
During the service, traditions or approaches that might be unfamiliar to people, such as the way
Communion is handled, are explained. Children are welcomed through special music or children’s
sermons, or are provided with a children’s service.
 Reinforcement. Each visitor is sent a personal e-mail or letter, called, and/or visited as soon as
possible.
 Nurture. We offer special study groups or discipleship classes for newer Christians. We also offer
several short-term groups or activities. (After meeting together for 6 to 12 weeks, people in a group tend
to bond together, and newcomers find it more difficult to break in.) Also, before each membership class
begins, we invite every nonmember who has attended the church recently.
—STEPHEN C. BUTLER is pastor of McKownville United Methodist Church; © 2000, updated 2012
Christianity Today/BuildingChurchLeaders.com.
To Discuss
1. In which of the above areas are we already strong? Where do we need improvement?
2. On a scale from 1 to 10 (high), how much do we truly value bringing new people into our church family?
How does what we say we value correspond to reality?
3. What one change would you like to see our church make in order to be to more welcoming?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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page 5
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/CASE STUDY
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
Can This Class Become Welcoming?
From stagnation to vitality.
Acts 4:32; 1 John 3:18–20
The Case
On the surface, the couples’ class at Hope Community Church seemed to be thriving.
The class was stable—unusual in a relatively young church. Hope had recently
celebrated its 35th anniversary, and the class had been around for 15 of those years.
Yet Hope’s pastor wondered if stability was turning into stagnation. Over the course of
a year, the average attendance had declined from 25 to 20. Names of first-time visitors
filled the guest book, but none had returned. Most of the regulars had been with the
class for more than three years.
The pastor met with key leaders, and all agreed something needed to be done—not
only to revitalize the class but also to address the deeper issue: helping newcomers feel
connected.
What Would
You Do?
 How does this class fit into the larger strategy of the church?
 What specific changes would you enact to make a small, intimate
class like this one
inviting to strangers?
What Happened
The class leaders realized that visitors return when they feel comfortable and accepted.
The class strength—intimacy—was a barrier to that.
The leaders felt that providing an accepting atmosphere was critical, so they began to
change established patterns of the class structure and content.
The most important step was to create a format that required no previous experience
with the group (or the church). For example, announcements now covered only
upcoming events. Bibles were made available. The lesson did not require knowledge
from past Sundays. The group did not sing unless there were more than 30 in
attendance, and song lyrics were displayed up front. Because new people may be
uncomfortable praying with strangers, the long-standing prayer-and-share time was
dropped. Regular class attenders were encouraged to join smaller groups outside the
class for deeper spiritual intimacy. Even the chairs were rearranged from a circle into
straight rows.
The leaders also fostered a ministry mentality among the regulars, discussing how to
make newcomers feel more comfortable.
Within five months, attendance averaged about 30 (up from 20). About 80 percent of
class visitors returned. And regular attenders began looking for opportunities to reach
out to others.
—DON MICHAEL MCDONALD; © 2000, updated 2012 Christianity
Today/BuildingChurchLeaders.com.
Discuss
1. Another option for connecting newcomers would have been simply to start another
class. Which option do you think is best?
2. What kind of insider cues and language turn off visitors?
3. What is the purpose of our adult Sunday school ministry? How is it distinct from
our small group ministry?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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page 6
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/CASE STUDY
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
The Fringe Ministry Leader
Will responsibility deepen commitment?
Ephesians 4:14–16; 1 Tim 3:1–13
The Case
Jim, a young, single believer, had visited Bayview Christian Center off and on for
some time, yet he showed no interest in deepening his commitment. If we could plug
him into a fulfilling role or ministry, thought Pastor Steve, Jim may start to feel like
he’s one of us.
After some thought, the pastor approached Jim. “We’re looking for someone with your
abilities to work with Eric in leading the singles group,” he said. “Would you be
interested?” Jim was a natural for singles ministry. He would benefit from the
relationships and discipleship program. Pastor Steve believed the role could be the
catalyst Jim needed to move him from the church fringes toward the committed core.
Plus, it was a job tailor-made for Jim because (1) Jim could readily identify with
singles, and (2) by teaming Jim with an established leader, the assignment would
demand less of him. The plan seemed ideal.
What Would
You Do?
What Happened
 What
do you think about recruiting someone who is not an active participant in the
church for a leadership position? Why or why not?
 What steps would you take to ensure Jim’s success in his new role?
When the opportunity was put to Jim, he responded with a burst of enthusiasm. “Yes!”
he exclaimed, “I’d be glad to help lead the group.” Suddenly Bayview Christian Center
could do no wrong.
“This is the church I’ve always been looking for,” he announced. “From now on, this is
going to be my church!” He praised Steve’s sermons ebulliently. Jim couldn’t get
enough of worship: “I didn’t think I’d experience worship like that until I got to
heaven,” he gushed.
Then one day, inexplicably, shortly after his immersion into the church, Jim
disappeared. He was simply gone, and no one could find him. As Steve later said, “It
was like trying to tie down a migrating bird.” Not only had Jim not been enfolded into
the congregation, he had dropped the ball on his assigned role as co-leader of the
singles.
—RICH DOEBLER is senior pastor of Cloquet Gospel Tabernacle in Cloquet,
Minnesota; © 2000, updated 2012 by Christianity Today/BuildingChurchLeaders.com.
Discuss
1. Putting anyone into a leadership role is somewhat risky. What guidelines does our
church take to recruit qualified people for key ministries?
2. At what point should a newcomer be given an opportunity to serve in a meaningful
role? How do you work people toward that point?
3. What are the best areas of ministry for newcomers and semi-regular attenders to
serve in?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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page 7
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/CASE STUDY
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
Overcoming Resistance to Growth
When one member stonewalls growth and outreach, what is a
church to do?
Hebrews 13:2
The Case
Jim had been a part of Christ Church for over 15 years—he was used to getting his way,
and his way was old-fashioned and assertive. Each year he gave significant money to the
church, and he served as lay leader year after year because there was no one else to lead.
While Jim accepted the people who visited and stayed, he was critical of those who visited
“to test the church out.” They didn’t know how to worship in their vintage style, but he
refused to entertain any modification for visitors. Outreach was a waste of time, in his
view. Social ministry was for liberal churches. He sneered at innovation. He criticized the
pastor for reaching out to visitors. He considered that a waste of time since the people
weren’t likely to return.
When the pastor suggested the church take a more open approach to outreach, Jim snapped,
“We honor God by making no changes.”
What Would
You Do?
What Happened
 What
 To
impression do you think Jim made on newcomers?
what extent does a church need to respect the voices of its longtime members?
At the annual business meeting, the eldest board member politely but firmly suggested
giving Jim a “rest” from his position and nominated another candidate to replace him. The
rest of the church agreed and voted to replace Jim.
Jim exploded in anger, and left the church for good as a result.
During the service the following Sunday, there was a lightness and transparency in prayer
and praise. Over the next few months, things began to change.
Visitors came and stayed. Former attenders asked, “Where’s Jim?” They were told Jim had
decided to leave the church. “It seems so much warmer here now,” was a common reply.
“We’ll be here more often.” Several returned and joined, and some moved into leadership.
The church did not lose money. In fact, it broke even after a few months without Jim. More
important, however, existing members began to venture in faith and moved closer to the
biblical tithe, while new members and visitors gave generously too.
Finally, worship became much more flexible. As a result, an increasing number of visitors
were attracted to the church. Many even said they never had been part of a church in their
adult lives (or at all). Christ Church had the highest number of adults preparing to be
baptized of any church in their denomination in the region. People were finding salvation
and welcome at Christ Church.
—JOHN THROOP is pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, Virginia; adapted
from our sister publication Leadership Journal, © 2004, updated 2012 Christianity
Today/Leadership Journal. For more articles like this, visit www.LeadershipJournal.net.
Discuss 1. When making decisions about the direction of the church, do we look more to the
needs of our members, or the potential for outreach?
2. How might newcomers pick up on the attitudes of people like Jim?
3. What is the best way to handle outspoken members when their inflexible attitudes are
getting in the way of outreach?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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page 8
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/CASE STUDY
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
From Outsiders to Insiders
The basis is our common bond in Christ.
Romans 12:9–10
Read
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to
one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves (Rom.
12:9–10).
Comprehend
Forming a clique seems like a strange strategy for connecting newcomers to the
church, but it’s precisely what the apostle Paul prescribes. In his culture, the
expression “brotherly love” referred to the affection exchanged between persons
belonging to an “in-group”—what we would call “a clique.” In fact, in the original
Greek language in which he wrote, Paul put the expression “in brotherly love” at the
beginning of the sentence to give it emphasis.
Cliques get bad press because they often exclude people. Christian writer Philip
Yancey admits: “Given a choice, I tend to hang out with folks like me: people who
have college degrees, drink only Starbucks dark roast coffee, listen to classical music,
and buy their cars based on EPA gas mileage ratings.” But the “in-group” or clique
that Paul describes is supposed to be inclusive of those whose common bond is Christ
(Romans 12:5)—not income, not hobbies, and not musical tastes.
But how do you create a clique that includes people?
The second part of verse 10 provides the answer: “Honor one another above
yourselves.” Sometimes, competition hurts relationships. But here’s one place where
you have the Bible’s permission to try to outdo other Christians. The idea is to put
their needs ahead of yours.
Applied to newcomers, this means taking the initiative to introduce yourself to them,
to ask how you can pray for them, to invite them into your home, to include them in
your next outing to the lake. Bring them into the clique of Christ by turning them from
outsiders into insiders.
—STEVEN D. MATHEWSON is pastor of the Evangelical Free Church of Libertyville,
Illinois; © 2000, updated 2012 Christianity Today/BuildingChurchLeaders.com.
Discuss
1. What many newcomers want are friends and a sense of belonging. How does our
church help that happen?
2. How does a church go beyond simply being friendly to outsiders to connecting
them into the life of the church?
3. Some churches employ a “three-minute rule”—regular attenders and members
spend the first three minutes after a worship service visiting with someone they
don’t know. Would this work in our setting? Why or why not?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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page 9
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/DEVOTIONAL
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
No Charter for Comfort
Jesus commissioned the church to shake up the world.
Philippians 2:3–4
Read
Comprehend
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as
better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to
the interests of others (Phil. 2:3–4).
Is there anything simpler or more natural than members of a church looking out for
their own personal interests? We like to park conveniently. We want our pew available
each week. We expect to hear our kind of music—not that other ungodly stuff! We
like things our way, to our convenience and taste.
How easy it is to make church nice and comfortable for us! And how wrong!
Why? Because church isn’t meant to be comfortable. No pioneering, radical,
countercultural organization has the leisure to be comfortable. A country club can be
comfortable. A golfing foursome can be comfortable. A family gathering can be
comfortable. But a church—that culture-shaking, eternity-changing band Jesus
commissioned to turn the world upside down—doesn’t have the charter to be
comfortable. It’s commissioned as activist for the kingdom of God!
My pleasure, my ease, my way—these are really not important. God’s glory, God’s
tasks, others’ benefit—that’s the reason for the church. The apostle Paul makes clear
that Christians must treat one another as more important than themselves. They are to
be “put out” by the interests of others. The church is not my personal vending
machine. Instead it is a lifesaving station to reach out to those in peril needing to be
made safe.
How does that happen? “When leaders decide their responsibility is to follow seriously
the One who came to seek and save the lost.”
That, however, gets expensive, when the church has to add parking and pews and
programs for those not yet in the church. That becomes difficult when the comfortable
become discomfited by change. That becomes messy when the sacred mixes with the
profane. Granted.
But Jesus emptied himself, humbled himself, and died on a cross for us—and that is to
be our mindset (Phil. 2:5–11). As leaders we must proclaim to the comfortable the
message of Christ. And then refocus our thinking and strategy on the outsider, so that
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
—JAMES D. BERKLEY is the author of numerous magazine articles and seven books,
including Essential Christianity; © 2000, updated 2012 Christianity
Today/BuildingChurchLeaders.com.
Discuss
1. Many outsiders are people who attend only sporadically. How does our church
intentionally reach out to people on our fringe?
2. Respond to this statement: The church should focus first on growing people
deeper in the faith; then outreach will be a natural extension of their spiritual life.
3. What approach does our church use for helping newcomers become insiders?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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page 10
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/DEVOTIONAL
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/HOW-TO
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
From Visitors to Attenders
Four ways to increase repeat visits.
Hebrews 13:2; Luke 7:44-47
First impressions are important to first-time guests at your church, but the half-hour after service can
determine whether they’ll come back—and stay. Our research reveals three insights:
1. “Friendliness of the people” is the most important thing newcomers look for.
2. “Friendliness” is based on how many people talk to them.
3. The most important time for “friendly talk” is immediately following the service.
My family moved recently, and we have visited a number of churches. I’ve found some simple, but significant
ways to increase repeat visits.
 After-service hosts: A greeting time during the service is good if folks resume their conversation with the
newcomer following the service. It’s bad if they pretend nothing ever happened. If your people are not
naturally congenial with newcomers, then appoint “hosts” for after the service. They are to make a beeline
to newcomers, escort them to the coffee table, introduce them to others, and invite them back.
 The three-minute rule: In one church we visited, the pastor reminded the congregation that no one could
talk to anyone they knew for at least three minutes after the service! It worked for us. We met a wonderful
person who had been attending for the past year. Our conversation lasted over 15 minutes! And we’ll look
for her friendly face when we return.
 Church tour: Guests are hesitant to wander around, even though they’d like to. So, offer a short tour after
service. It’s a low-commitment, limited-time, high-information event. The guide explains activities that
take place there throughout the week, and guests naturally ask questions. It’s a much easier next step than,
say, joining a membership class.
 Follow-up contact: It’s standard for pastors to send a “thank you for visiting” letter or e-mail. We got nice
ones from every church we attended. But following our second visit to several of those churches—nothing.
Typically, plateaued churches, 9 percent of all first-time visitors join the following year. But among secondtime visitors (twice in a six-week period), 17 percent join. And third-time guests unite at a rate of 36 percent in
the ensuing year.
The pattern is similar for growing churches: 21 percent of first-timers, 38 percent of second-timers, 57 percent
of third-timers return and join.
A unique follow-up contact with second-time guests is like planting seeds in good soil. A follow up strategy
for third-timers is like bringing in a ripe harvest.
—CHARLES ARN is president of Church Growth, Inc. (Monrovia, CA); adapted from our sister publication
Leadership Journal, © 2002 Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. For more articles like this, visit
www.LeadershipJournal.net.
Discuss
1. What are examples of the difference between welcoming visitors and pouncing on them?
2. What do we think is the single most important factor that makes a visitor come back?
3. What is one step we could take to improve our follow-up process?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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page 11
A Welcoming Place
Focus on these areas to ensure newcomers feel welcome.
Leviticus 19:34
At Vineyard Columbus we strive to make our church a welcoming place for newcomers by emphasizing the
followingt:
Our Building. We have designed our building to communicate warmth and welcome. For example, we
communicate welcome with visible signage and artwork at the entrance of our property. We provide reserved
spaces for first time guests as well as the handicapped community. Our architecture has open and bright spaces
for people to meet with our pastors and a café to meet with one another before and after weekend services. The
design of our auditorium is simple, yet functional, and has cry rooms with a direct view of the pastor who is
preaching to accommodate families with small children.
Our Services. We have special classes for children and young adults who are autistic or have severe learning
disabilities as well as sign language for the deaf, special bulletins for the visually impaired and gluten-free
communion for the gluten-intolerant. We translate our services into Spanish and Portuguese.
Interpersonal Touches. Greeters and/or ushers accommodate newcomers with warm welcomes, bulletins,
and seating assistance in the auditorium. We strive to make sure each person receives an interpersonal touch
(eye contact, greeting, and smile) before, during and after services.
Worship Service. Our service format includes a verbal welcome and a gift to guests of a worship CD and an
option to provide information for follow-up.
Response/Follow Up. When guests turn in the response card, Hospitality ministry volunteers welcome
them personally and answer any of their questions. Our guest assimilation process begins immediately
following our last Sunday service.
Heart. Hospitality is a gift of the Holy Spirit and reflection of the love of Christ in our hearts. We express this
love by hosting a Sunday lunch twice a month for newcomers, a new-members class where an introduction to
the church is provided, and an encouragement to our members to invite newcomers to their small group.
—RICH NATHAN is senior pastor of the Vineyard Church of Columbus, Columbus, Ohio; © 2012 Christianity
Today/BuildingChurchLeaders.com.
To Discuss
1. Which items in this list are currently part of our welcoming plan? Which do we need to add?
2. What practical steps can we take to help our members develop welcoming hearts toward visitors?
3. How can we objectively measure our progress in each of these areas?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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page 12
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/HOW-TO
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
Filling the Cracks
How to make a personal connection with newcomers.
Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 3:14
It’s easy to welcome first-time visitors. Assimilating them into the family is another story. One
critical element seems to be the personal connection: when attenders feel that someone is
actually interested in them and cares about their involvement in the church, they’re more likely
to stay. Churches make this personal connection in a variety of ways:
1. One on One. Trinity Presbyterian Church in Anchorage, Alaska, assigns a deacon to a person or family
who attends worship for several Sundays.
2. Enfoldment Coordinators. At Berean Baptist in Burnsville, Minnesota, the persons responsible are
called “enfoldment coordinators.” They link visitors with a “first friend,” who visits the new persons at their
home. The “first friend” learns the visitors’ interests and refers their names to the appropriate ministry area.
3. Integration Czar. Moorpark Presbyterian Church in California uses an “integration czar.” When a person
expresses interest in a program or ministry, the czar assigns a specific leader to extend an invitation to the
newcomer. The czar then follows up with the leader, asking about the newcomer’s response. This ensures all
invitations get made.
4. Family Mentor. Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church in Hudsonville, Michigan, assigns a mentor family
to each new person or family. The church attempts to match the backgrounds and interests of its mentor family
with those of the newcomers. To gauge the effectiveness of the mentor program and to identify needs, a
committee tracks people’s attendance in worship, involvement in service, and giving habits.
5. Tracking Changes. Bethel Baptist Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, puts its people on notice: “If we
don’t see you, we’ll call you.” In tracking attenders, Bethel focuses on changes in a person’s attendance
pattern. A call or visit is made when someone’s pattern changes.
—DAVE WILKINSON is pastor of St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church in Tucson, Arizona;
adapted from our sister publication Leadership Journal, © 1998, updated 2012 Christianity Today/Leadership
Journal. For more articles like this, visit www.LeadershipJournal.net.
Discuss
1. Is there a black hole new people fall into after the initial welcoming period? When does it happen—after 3
months, 6 months, one year?
2. What ministry opportunities does our church offer new attenders?
3. What is our current plan for assimilating newcomers into our church? Which of the above ideas do we
need to incorporate or adapt to our current plan?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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Points of Entry
How many doors does our church have?
1 Peter 4:9–10
A nearly century-old congregation in Ohio had plateaued at 145 in attendance for 12 years. Then it doubled in
the next five years. What happened? The congregation added a second staff person, whose primary
responsibility was to expand the entry points for new people. During her first year, she identified a dozen
volunteer allies. She began to build a list of prospective new members, most of the names coming from those
who attended the special events she scheduled:

a four-session divorce-recovery workshop,
a new adult Sunday-school class that was started every year for those first five years,
an appreciation Sunday for teachers employed in the local public school system,
 she enlisted a 63-year-old grandmother to organize a ministry for new mothers,
 she persuaded the leaders to expand the Christmas Eve schedule from one to two to four services
 she convinced the minister to teach a new evening Bible study group if she would recruit the members for
it,
 she found a person who could lead a series of marriage-enrichment events,
 she identified a non-member couple who agreed to teach a Sunday morning class for developmentally
disabled people,
 she persuaded the governing board to add an early worship service to the Sunday morning schedule,
 she found someone to organize and direct a young adult choir for that new worship service,
 she talked the minister into working with a planning committee for six weeks before the first early
service—and six of the nine members of that committee came from her list of prospective new members.


Behind the Success
For most of these new entry points, this staff member enlisted others to help her. With few exceptions, she
always included at least two or three people from her list of prospective new members. She followed the basic
principle that most prospective members prefer to help pioneer the new rather than join the old.
Finally, instead of seeking approval from the appropriate committees and the governing board, all she sought
was the withholding of a veto, sometimes expressed as, “Well, let’s try it one time and see what happens.”
Equally important, she did not wait for the boards and committees to take the initiative to tell her what to do.
For the most part, she functioned outside the existing committee structure. She wanted help, not arguments.
She understood and affirmed the value of ad hoc groups and single-function task forces. Rather than burden
the nominating committee, she enlisted her own allies. Rather than ask the finance committee for budgeting,
she raised the money needed through designated, second-mile giving.
—LYLE SCHALLER is a congregational consultant and author of multiple books on church attendance; adapted
from our sister publication Leadership Journal, © 1996, updated 2012 Christianity Today/Leadership Journal.
For more articles like this, visit www.LeadershipJournal.net.
Discuss
1. What is an entry point? What are some in our church? Which of the above ideas may work in our church
and community setting?
2. What special events or programs have had an effective outreach? Why?
3. Who on staff has a passion for this oft-missed area of outreach and ministry? What about enlisting a key
volunteer or team of volunteers? How could we adapt these ideas so that they are doable with our current
staff and budget limitations?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
Answer the Questions
Help newcomers answer “yes” to these six questions.
1 Corinthians 12:25–27
Research tells us that of all the people who drop out of church (due to inactivity), 82 percent leave in the first
year! The first 12 months are critical in the life of both the new member and the congregation.
But upon further study, we found that people do not leave at random during their first year. There are two
definite “spikes” when an inordinate number of new members stop attending, at month 6 and at month 12.
Our curiosity, of course, was aroused. We interviewed 36 people who had stopped attending their church after
6 months; then another 36 who had stopped attending after a year. “What happened?” we wanted to know.
“Could you tell us your story?”
We then listened to the recordings of these conversations for common themes … and found some! New
members, it turns out, are asking questions. Often they are not even aware of their concerns at that moment.
But in these postmortems, the issues became readily apparent.
During the first six months new members are asking:
1. “Can I make friends in this church?” Other studies tell us that new members who stay in their church
make an average of seven new friends, while those who drop out make less than two.
2. “Is there a place I can fit in?” The more people and groups in the church who are “like me,” the more
the newcomers are likely to stay. Common age, marital status, family status, special needs, interests,
concerns all help newcomers feel comfortable in their new surroundings.
3. “Does this church really want me?” After the warm words of welcome, are new members actively
invited to participate in the roles and ministries of the church?
If new members conclude that the answer to these questions is “no,” many leave after five to six months. If
their answer is “yes,” they stay around … for a second six months. But they’re still asking questions.
4. Are my new friends as good as my old ones? The issue is now not so much quantity of friends,
as quality of friends. New believers, especially, feel uncomfortable with their old behavior, old habits,
and old friends. That’s good. But they’re also unconsciously assessing the value and depth of their
new relationships in the church.
5. Does the group meet my needs? They may have found a young single’s group, a senior adult group, or
a Sunday School class of people like them (see the first 6 month question). But 7 to 12 months later,
they’re asking whether the benefit of involvement is worth the cost of time, inconvenience, social
discomfort.
6. Is my contribution important? The question now is not one of involvement, but of significance. Are
they doing busy work or kingdom work? “I wanted to have an impact on people’s lives,” one drop-out
told us. “But all they asked me to do was set up chairs for the church potluck.”
Do everything you can to be sure your new members give a resounding ’YES!’ to these six questions. If they
do, you will see them actively involved in your church for years to come.
—CHARLES ARN is president of Church Growth, Inc.; © 2011 Christianity Today/BuildingChurchLeaders.com.
Discuss
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
1. How does our church help newcomers address these six questions? Which ministries address which
questions? What are we doing to help direct newcomers to these ministries?
2. Do the six-month and twelve-month markers ring true to our church’s experience? What kind of
feedback have we received from people who stopped attending after a short time?
3. How often do we follow up with people who have left? What might we gain by seeking out this kind
of input?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/HOW-TO
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
Restored for Service
How to coach wounded people back into service.
Matthew 25:31-46
A woman whose husband recently left her began attending our church. Shattered, she is casting about for
emotional moorings to help her regain equilibrium. She has a ministry background, so she knows how to
minister to people; she just doesn’t know how to do so in the midst of her pain and confusion.
Every follower of Christ is in the continual process of restoration; everyone is messed up and in need of God’s
healing. But at certain stages of our brokenness, we’re not able to serve others. How can I help this woman
back into church activities? I see the process in four stages:
1. Love, without much advice. Personal disasters usually bring a person to the point of asking,
“Does anyone care about me?” So I begin by saying, “I care about you, and so does God.”
2. Invite people to little involvements. These jobs don’t call for much emotional fortitude and don’t
put people on the line. If people can’t finish the work, it won’t be a disaster. The service may be as
simple as cutting out paper figures for our children’s program or joining a crew to cut up a tree that
fell during a windstorm.
3. Help people understand their deep hurt. If a wounded person is highly sensitive, I can’t say,
“Hey, get over this. It was no big deal.” What registers as 2.0 on someone’s emotional Richter scale
may be a 9.0 for a sensitive soul. I try to help people accept that there’s nothing wrong with feeling
deeply—actually, that is how God created them.
4. Welcome people back to significant service—with permission to carry their bruises.
Spiritually speaking, I like to see if I can get a person with a broken arm to work with someone with a
broken leg. Let the wounded that are healing reach out to others with similar problems.
—DANIEL BROWN, a senior pastor of The Coastlands Church in Aptos, California AND BOB MOELLER, a pastor
and author in Illinois; adapted from The Church Leader’s Answer Book, © 2006 Christianity Today.
Discuss
1. What might someone who has been burned by the church in the past feel when visiting our church? How
do we communicate that our church is a safe place for brokenness?
2. What are the “little involvements” we could set aside for wounded people in our church?
3. What does it mean to give people “permission to carry their bruises?” What does this look like in
ministry?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
Rejected
What goes through your mind and heart when people stop coming?
Ephesians 4:31–32
Just two weeks after receiving a very encouraging Christmas card from a new couple who loved our church, I
received my “Monday hello.” It began with a warm greeting to me and my family, and wishes for a happy new
year. Then they explained that they would not be coming back as they had begun attending a different, larger
church about two miles away. This church had a great children’s program and even supplied childcare during
small group. They also knew and worked with many people who attended the other church.
Every pastor, at some point, receives a Monday hello. It stings, for a Monday hello is, on one level, a rejection.
You can put a positive spin on it and spiritualize it, but it will not change the fact that someone became a part
of the church you pastor and left the church you pastor, rejecting something in which you have invested blood,
sweat, and tears.
Maybe more painful than the Monday hello is the fact that many people will send no Monday hello. They will
simply disappear and all efforts to contact them will be fruitless and the only thing they will leave, aside from
your church, is questions: Are they okay? What happened? Did I offend them? Did someone in the church
offend them? Are they attending another church? Are they mad at me? At God? Have they moved away?
Growing in our ability to respond to Monday hellos and disappearing acts is important for the same reason we
need to grow in resolving conflict in a marriage. Both are inevitable. How can I respond in a way that honors
God, demonstrates concern, respects the person’s decision to leave, and allows me to move on in a healthy
way?
Do not respond right away. The first step is counter-intuitive. Do not respond. At least not right away.
Rare is the person who can respond adroitly when the wound is fresh. The temptation to deliver a few subtle
jabs is almost irresistible. (“So glad you’ve found a church that’s more convenient and meets your needs,
which, after all, is what the church is really all about.”)
You will convince yourself that this response will bring a measure of satisfaction. Perhaps it will even cause
the offending party to experience some well-deserved shame. Feelings of anger, hurt, and frustration are
normal, but, as the saying goes, “Hurt people hurt people.” Take your hands off the keyboard, step away from
the phone, and take some time to allow the intensity of the moment to dissipate.
Cry out. Take a lesson from Moses, Jeremiah, David and a few other heroes of the faith. Complain! To God!
In the Book of Psalms, the lament psalms are the most numerous. God can handle it. Bring your anger, hurt,
and bewilderment to him. When you have sufficiently aired your lament, ask him for healing and ask for
wisdom from the One who “gives generously to all without finding fault.”
I have also found it helpful to have a couple of pastors in my life with whom I can safely vent. Ideally these
individuals are standing far enough away from the situation that they can offer both comfort and, if we are
ready to receive it, an opportunity to help us process the departure.
Process it. Some people leave with no explanation, and you can drive yourself crazy trying to ascertain what
their reasons might have been. On the other hand, some may give some indication but not a complete reason
for their departure. Without giving into morbid introspection, try to find the nugget of truth in their comment.
After the “Monday hello,” I began to talk to my leadership team about the possibility of creating one small
group with childcare available. We did, and this was a welcomed addition to the small group life of our church.
Several couples began to participate in small groups who had not previously been connected. Not all purported
shortcomings can be addressed. Some are unjustified and some are simply not possible. Our church has a
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/HOW-TO
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
saying: “Act our age.” We do those kingdom-minded things that we are able to do based on our size, gifts, and
resources. We cannot be all things to all people.
Face-to-face, phone, or email. Deciding how to connect with someone who has left your church is a fairly
subjective decision that should take into account the circumstances of the departure and the willingness of the
other party to connect. Unfortunately, our understandable disdain for confrontation is often the deciding factor
and will take us down the path of least resistance.
The two most common paths of least resistance are (a) ignoring the situation and (b) avoiding a difficult
conversation by simply sending an email. Generally speaking, sensitive conversations should occur face-toface. Face-to-face conversations limit the possibility of misunderstandings and allow for the nuances of facial
expression and inflection. It’s more personal. If the individual or individuals are open to having a face-to-face
meeting, a “third space” such as a coffee shop, will diminish feelings of awkwardness. Phone conversations are
second best, but still a good alternative.
Some individuals simply want to move on and avoid a conversation of any kind. If that is the case, a kind
email may be the only option. This was the case with my Monday hello. My offer to meet or talk by phone was
met with a polite decline. They were very comfortable communicating via email however, and stay in touch to
this day.
Respect, inquire, love. When the wound is not so fresh, a response to the dearly departed may be in order. I
believe the best response is characterized by respect, inquiry, and love. Let them know that you love them and
will miss them. Point to any positive contribution and thank them for it. Let your words demonstrate that you
respect their decision to leave. Asking them to reconsider their decision will likely be unfruitful and will deny
you the opportunity to collect some valuable fruit of a different kind. Invite them to share any insights that
would help you to be a better pastor and your church to be a better church.
When I e-mailed couple who had sent me the Monday hello, both thanked me for my response and offered
many encouraging words. They reiterated their need for childcare during small groups. One unexpected result
of this email was the lowering of the awkward quotient. We still cross paths occasionally. When I see them in
the grocery store, we greet one another as friends rather than ducking into another aisle. Our conversations are
genuinely friendly.
Trust. Finally, pray that God will give you the ability to trust that he will lead people to your church that can
best glorify him at your church. Trust that he will lead people away that can best glorify him elsewhere.
Some will love your church and stay for years. Some will visit a few times and leave. So what? The “so what”
is not about indifference or apathy but embracing the fact that your church cannot be the church for everyone.
To believe otherwise is to be crushed under the weight of rejection. There is at least one other sobering
possibility worth considering. When an individual departs and leaves you with nothing but hurt and questions,
it may be that the Lord was protecting you and your church. There are churches who have the special
collection of gifts necessary to deal with certain personalities that would devastate your church.
Jesus said that he would build his church. Receive the good gifts he sends your way and bless those he sends
away.
—DAVID SLAGLE is lead pastor of Veritas Church in Decatur, Georgia; adapted from our sister publication
Leadership Journal, © 2011 Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. For more articles like this, visit
www.LeadershipJournal.net.
To Discuss
1. How have we responded to people who have left our church? Is our response generally healthy and
positive? Why or why not?
2. What kind of follow-up procedures might help us learn from and love these people better?
3. How do we respond to the idea that our “church cannot be the church for everyone”? How is this freeing?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/HOW-TO
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
Who Is Our Target?
Questions to match your church strengths with the
needs of visitors.
Romans 12:13
Here is a simple activity to improve the process for connecting newcomers into the life of your
church. Simply spend the first 10 minutes writing your answers to the questions, and then spend
the next 10 to 15 minutes discussing them with the team.
1. What does our church offer newcomers?
First, list at least three key strengths of your church. For example, you may write, “Our church provides
effective, fun-filled children’s programs.” Try not to write general items such as “Our church is friendly.” Be
specific.
Second, list how some of the strengths you identified could be communicated to visitors. For example, you
may write, “We can use letters and e-mail announcements to visitors about our children’s programs.”
Third, based on your strengths, what type of newcomers may likely connect with your church? For example,
if your strength is a well-organized children’s program, your church may connect best with young adults with
children. If your strength is traditional worship, you may connect with a specific cluster of young and older
adults who value historic or traditional forms of worship.
2. Who is our audience?
First, focus on the spiritual condition of the person with whom you believe the church needs to connect. Is it
the “shuffling saint” coming from another congregation? A pre-Christian with little church background? A dechurched person disillusioned by past church experience?
Second, put yourself in his or her shoes. The greater the difference between that person and those in your
church, the more effort it will require in order to view your church from his or her perspective. (Another way
to do this is to interview people similar to those God is calling you to reach.) How will he or she fit in with the
social culture of your church? Is she a white-collar person and your church more blue-collar? Is this person
younger and is the average age in your church more than 50?
3. What is our process for drawing them in?
Draw a simple flow-chart for how you think newcomers connect into the church. For example, in our church,
reaching primarily de-churched people, we follow up with a visitor only if they sign our Friendship Folder,
which is passed in every service. “Signing in” is the way people step beyond anonymity at our church, so our
follow-up process is based on the times they sign in. Do you track guests in a way that provides anonymity but
also the opportunity to step forward? What are appropriate ways for you to seek to make a connection with
them, and when?
—WAYNE SCHMIDT is pastor of Kentwood Community Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan; adapted
from Lead On: Why Churches Stall and How Leaders Get Them Going, © 2003 Wesleyan Publishing
House. Used by permission.
Discuss
1. Do we generally agree on our church’s strengths? Why or why not?
2. Do we generally agree on who may more likely connect with our church? Should churches even think
about newcomers in this way? Why or or why not?
3. How do our flow charts vary? How can we monitor the connecting process of newcomers more closely?
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/ACTIVITIES
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/FURTHER EXPLORATION
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS
Further Exploration
Resources to strengthen your newcomer ministry.
 BuildingChurchLeaders.com: Leadership training resources from Christianity Today.
The Growing Church Training Track
Level One:
Orientation Guide: Usher/Greeter
Practical Ministry Skills: Welcoming Visitors
Training Theme: Connecting Newcomers
Assessment Pack: Turning Visitors into Attenders
Assessment Pack: Maximizing Church Membership
Level Two:
Assessment Pack: Is Our Church Discipling?
Training Theme: Building a Culture of Discipleship
Practical Ministry Skills: Turning Attenders into Committed Members
Practical Ministry Skills: Cultivating Active Church Members
Practical Ministry Skills: Discipling Emerging Adults
Level Three:
Orientation Guide: Mentor
Orientation Guide: Mentor
Training Theme: Mentoring
Assessment Pack: Mentoring
Training Theme: Training New Leaders
Practical Ministry Skills: Mentoring New Leaders
 LeadershipJournal.net: Our sister website offers practical advice and articles for church leaders.
CATCH: A Churchwide Program for Invitational Evangelism by Debi Williams Nixon with Adam
Hamilton. This newly revised and updated resource shows you how to attract visitors to your church, connect
them with your faith community, and help them learn to know, love, and serve God. (Abingdon Press, 2012;
ISBN 9781426743474)
Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests into Fully-Engaged Members of Your Church by Nelson
Searcy and Jennifer Henson. This innovative, practical guide is full of how-to information, testimonials
from the recently assimilated and from participating church leaders, examples of the assimilation
materials used, and check points to make sure newcomers are fully integrated into the life of your church
community. (Gospel Light, 2008; ISBN 978-0830745319)
Membership Matters: Insights from Effective Churches on New Member Classes and
Assimilation by Charles E. Lawless Jr. How growing churches implement new member classes and
motivate their members into ministry involvement. (Zondervan, 2005; ISBN 0310262860)
Rethinking the Church by James Emery White. This takes every aspect of how a church functions and
forces the reader to check his or her assumptions. Check out the chapters on “Rethinking Evangelism” and
“Rethinking Discipleship.” (Baker Books, 2003; ISBN 9780801091650)
Sticky Church by Larry Osborne. A compelling case for using small, sermon-based groups to aid in
retention and growth of new members. (Zondervan, 2008; ISBN 978-0310285083)
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
www.BuildingChurchLeaders.com
page 21
Sample Retreat Schedule
How to create a weekend retreat on the theme of “Connecting
Newcomers.”
Training Tracks expand easily into a retreat format. Here is a sample retreat schedule you may
follow for the “Connecting Newcomers” download. The purpose of this retreat is to move board
members and leaders to think strategically about how newcomers are connected into the life of
the church.
Friday Evening
8–8:45 P.M. Opening Devotional: Begin the weekend with “From Outsiders to Insiders” (a devotional on page
9). You can either photocopy and pass out the devotional, or use it as your notes for the opening talk. Focus on
the importance of community in an age of disconnection.
9–9:45 P.M. Break-Out Session: Hand out copies of “Willing to Commit” (an interview on pages 3 and 4), and
break into groups of three or four. For 20 minutes, have each group read and discuss the interview on
rethinking assumptions about newcomers. Reconvene and discuss in an open forum some of the key
assumptions critical to an effective connecting ministry.
Saturday Morning
9–10:15 A.M. Begin the day by building a foundation for your ministry to newcomers. Hand out copies of
“Who Is Our Target?” (an activity on page 20), and allow each member to find some solitude to read it and
answer the questions. At 9:30 a.m., reconvene the group and lead a 45-minute discussion about the type of
newcomers that come to your church.
10:30–11:15 A.M. Hand out “Can This Class Become More Welcoming?” (a case study on page 6), and break
into groups of three or four. Each group must prepare to give its rationale for how it would handle the situation
in the case study.
11:30–NOON. Reconvene as a large group, and have each small group explain how they would open the
Sunday school class to outsiders. Guide the discussion toward developing a purpose statement for Sunday
school classes, small groups, and the other smaller group settings in your church. How does your newcomer
strategy fit with what your church wants to accomplish in small groups or in Sunday school?
NOON–Lunch.
Saturday Afternoon
1–2 P.M. Final Group Session: Close the retreat with “No Charter for Comfort,” a devotional on page 10. You
can either photocopy the handout or use it as your notes. During this time, communicate your passion for the
church’s mission of changing lives. Spend at least 15 minutes in group prayer for those who do not yet attend
the church.
From BUILDING CHURCH LEADERS © 2012 Christianity Today
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CONNECTING NEWCOMERS/SAMPLE RETREAT SCHEDULE
THE GROWING CHURCH: CONNECTING NEWCOMERS