It’s important to establish a rhythm in communicating to a new member. As visitors attend your church in person or online, communicate the gospel so they understand their need of salvation through Christ. Also, the Church should communicate why joining a fellowship of believers is critical. A believer must have the ability to connect with others to have teaching, accountability, baptism, communion and interaction.
Most people will start online, so your church needs to communicate reasons regularly for someone to experience your local church and invite them to visit and join your local body or find one near them.
Then once someone commits to membership (or whatever you call it), it’s essential that you’re communicating to a new member in such a way that they grow in their faith and become active in your local church.
Here are five essential tips for doing that effectively:
1. Ensure they know your language, culture and expectations. Offer regular new membership classes and orientation. In this class (or classes), start with a gospel explanation and altar call if needed. Don’t assume someone is joining your fellowship for the right reasons.
Don’t belabor the steps, but adequately start with the gospel, the reasons for membership, explanation of your church’s brand, mission, vision, values and the benefits of being part of your denomination. Concentrate on their benefits as you explain expectations. Explain acronyms and internal language.
Don’t assume they know anything about your church culture. Walk them through your website for benefits for them.
2. Make the welcome personal. People who are joining a fellowship want to … fellowship. So, be as personal as possible.
Introduce them to key leadership and contacts. Even better, if there are several in the membership class, spend a few moments for them to get to know each other. If they’re similar demographics, consider starting a small group or Sunday School class with them. The more names or people a new member knows after three months, the more likely they’ll stay and be active.
3. Follow up after a couple of months. Establish a line of communication with a new member. That can be an email, personal letter or text. Also, make sure they’re subscribed to your weekly email newsletter and tag them in your database so you can send special communication from time to time.
The likelihood of them getting more involved in a small group, volunteer service or missions activity rests on a personal request to solve a need in their life or in the church.
4. Explain why giving is part of worship. Each time you’re communicating to a new member, regularly explain how many others in your church give and why God ordained giving as an act of worship to Him. This may be a foreign concept to them. Be gentle, scriptural and practical as you explain the ways that they can be a blessing to the ministry and others.
5. Use the first anniversary of membership to check in. Your first year communicating to a new member is crucial for establishing them into your local church and the universal Church. Consider a special meal, class, call or personal email on their anniversary. Check in with them. Ask them if they have concerns or faith stories. Make sure they’re happy, getting their needs met and using their spiritual gifts.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Mark MacDonald is a communication pastor, speaker, consultant, bestselling author and church branding strategist for BeKnownforSomething.com, empowering thousands of pastors and churches to become known for something relevant (a communication thread) throughout their ministries, on their church websites and social media. His church branding book, “Be Known for Something,” is available at BeKnownBook.com.
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