2014 BPC OFFICERS AND MODERATORS TRAININGHow to become better disciples for Christ – Sponsored by: Evangelism Ministry

Agenda Topics of Discussion: 1st impressions (7minutes to make an impression on guests) To

include video How to evangelize to people who are already members How to engage consumers (people not affiliated with your church) Guest Retention – Reasons Guests don’t return and what you can do

to repair it To include video How to recognize 3 types of Guests – Un-churched/Traditional

Church/Drop Outs Making Guests feel welcomed To include video

Unhealthy Church (guests pickup on problems within the church) Empathy for guests – space anxiety Have guests connect to your church Be a church outside of your church building

Be THE church in your neighborhood Developing Stories – Help people realize their own stories

1st impressions Video

7minutes to make an impression on guests

How to Evangelize to People who are Already Members Congregational Prayer to invite guests Equip your members in personal evangelism

Sharing their own testimony of coming to faith in Christ

Sharing the gospel of Christ in clear and simple terms

Improve your hospitality Your hospitality ministry leaves a lasting

impression as they leave Your hospitality ministry prepares the way for

people to enter the worship service Engage your community

How To Engage Consumers Video

Who is the consumer? People who have not joined Bellefonte, but

continue to visit or shop around for a church home.

You are the first loving touch every guest will meet, which sets the stage for people to be open to life change.  People will be more or less receptive to the

teaching depending on how they were made to feel on the way in.

Guest Retention Video

Why guests don’t return and what you can do to repair it? Keep a managed record of all guests and follow up

within 2 weeks. Most guests will decide in the first few minutes

if they will return, even before the music starts.  It’s easy to walk into church if you’re there every

week, but do you remember what it was like walking in for the first time, when you didn’t think you’d know anyone and wondered if anyone would want to know you?

How to recognize 3 types of Guests Un-churched - video

People who don’t know / don’t believe in Jesus Christ

Traditional Church People who come to church on a regular

basis Drop Outs

People who used to come to church on a regular basis, but have since strayed away

Making Guests Feel Welcomed Video The over-bearing greeter

Loud and aggressive Does the greeter create barriers?

Greeters don’t show up on time Do a half-baked job Rarely make eye contact Don’t seem to really care Not informed of upcoming church events to

share with guests

Unhealthy Church

Guests pick up on problems within the church Members whispering among themselves

about internal problems within Bellefonte Not greeting guests as they are seated on

the same pew Cleanliness of the church

Meeting Expectations of your Guests How can we meet your needs? Can we provide you with some information about our

church? Church website Welcome CD packet

You are a tour guide who takes people to their destination, not a travel agent who sends them there.  Walking parents and kids all the way to the next

volunteer in the kids’ worship room is far better than pointing a finger and saying, “it’s down there on the right.” Walk with people and ask them questions on the way. Be genuinely interested in their lives.

Empathy for Guests

Space anxiety Unfamiliar with church surroundings

Where are the restrooms? Where can I change my child’s diapers? Is it okay to sit here? Where is the welcome center for guests? How do I find out where Children’s Church is

being held? What brought you to Bellefonte today?

Be a church outside of your church building Matthew 10:1-8

Be THE church in your neighborhood Partner with surrounding schools Invite people to God’s story while visiting coffee shops…

etc Volunteer at Parks & Recreation events Community Initiatives sponsored by local, state

organizations Starting new Initiatives Starting New Initiatives is a process of prayer,

discernment, conversation and reflection for congregations to decide how they can best minister in their particular ministries that will support Bellefonte’s mission.

Developing Stories – Help people realize their own stories Luke 19:1-10

Who helped you see Jesus? What was your life like before you came to

know and trust Jesus? We not only have a story, but we are part of a

bigger story . . . God’s story. Engage people in your community – Video How do we approach people?

Eye contact when conversing Goodness must be inside us first

Video References

Welcome to our Church

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xKUkz0nnp_8

 

How Unchurched People View the Church

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p_SBgEW7XT4

 

Bad Church Greeters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xJleNCiiTE&list=PLCFC3B27A630F1963&index=3

 

First Impressions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDNDTTjNXIw&feature=player_detailpage

First time guest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dL8dpPDDJQ&feature=player_embedded

Engaging People

http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/evangelism/

2014 BPC OFFICERS AND MODERATORS TRAINING How to become better disciples for Christ – Sponsored by: Evangelism Ministry