Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/92

Contributor - Jim Moerman

Title - Using Friendship and Communication Cards

Topic -Outreach

CHALLENGE: Our church gets visitors sometimes, but they usually don't return and we have no way of following them up. What can we do?

SOLUTION: Use a Friendship and Communication card!

Many churches still use a musty old guest book to record their visitors, but there are numerous flaws in that relic of history. First of all, in an overcrowded lobby, it is easily overlooked and passed by. Secondly, unless someone points out the guest book to the visitor, it will almost certainly be over looked and passed by. Thirdly, if your church doesn't get too many visitors, it's downright embarrassing for a guest to notice that your last visitor came 12 weeks ago!

Unless you are very satisfied with your guest book, it's time to donate it to your church museum.

A much improved system is to have a Friendship and Communication Card - a 3"x 5" card inserted in every single bulletin or program that is handed out to regulars and guests alike.

A good Friendship and Communication card has adequate space for the usual name, address, phone numbers, and so on. It also provides opportunity for people to tick whether they are "regular attendees" or a "visitor". There ,are no in between options. This sometimes forces the issue of irregular church attendance, but a little healthy conviction is OK!

But it is the flip side of the Friendship and Communication card that's the most important. The back side lists all the services and programs of your church and asks people to tick those they would like information about (women's groups, children's groups, seniors groups, and so on). You can respond to these requests for information in person or by mail.

Also on the flip side, there's room for jotting down prayer needs. A high percentage of visitors will happily write down a need they have and voila! - you've immediately got an excellent reason for follow-up and ministry.

The Friendship and Communication card can also provide a space to request a visit from the pastor. The beauty of this is largely for the regular attendees. Some churches still expect the pastor to visit every home once each year, but this allows regular attendees to request the visit when there's a special need.

There can (and should) also be a spot to request a counselling appointment. This may (or may not) necessarily be an appointment with the pastor. There may be one or two lay people in the congregation who are more skilled in counselling than the pastor who could follow up these requests.

It is important to note that the Friendship and Communication card will only be helpful to you if you do it every week at a suitable moment in the worship service (such as making it your first announcement). Some old-timers will object at first ("What? I've been going to this church for 17 years! Why should I fill out a card every week?' There are several reasons regulars should fill out the card. First, it will set a good example to the visitor. He looks around and sees EVERYONE filling out the card, so he does too. Also, regular attendees have prayer requests too! If they start sharing their needs more, things may just improve a little (or a lot!)

If your church has a prayer group, certainly they'd love to get their eager hands on some current prayer needs!

How are the cards collected? Simply ask people to drop them into the offering baskets along with their morning offering. After the service, the deacons can sort them into piles - regulars with prayer needs, regulars without prayer needs, and visitors. The first group go to the prayer group leader. The second pile goes in the garbage (or the pastor may want to inspect them first). The third pile goes to the pastor or visitation elder for follow-up (preferably within 24-48 hours).

Many excellent relationships can begin by following up a newcomer. You can go there and thank the person for coming. You can offer to pray. You can bring a welcome packet or letter. You can invite him to an upcoming event. You can deliver a special gift (book, mug, whatever).

With Friendship and Communication cards, there's a much better chance to retain your visitors and newcomers. There's also a much better chance that they will not sit at home during the week and complain about how cold your church was!

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