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They also look for personal contact as their world becomes more
impersonal. Would you rather listen to a computer voice say “For
customer service press ‘one’ now” or talk to a real person? That
principle carries over into other areas. Because people are increasingly
dehumanized by technology, they seek affirming relationships.
People are looking, often desperately, for stability and meaningful
relationships. This works together causing people to hunger for
personal contact. For this reason, many are seeking out churches.
Your
guests have made the first step and they are expecting something
from you
Usually a person visits a church for the first time with a friend
or relative. They are trying, in part, to find a place where people
will accept them. They rightly expect God’s people to treat them
different than they are treated by the people of the world. Most
of the time they will come to your congregation in stressful periods
of transition in their lives such as the loss of a loved one, the
birth of a child, moving to a new area, or a serious illness. These
are the times people visit a church for the first time. During these
periods, they are looking for you to touch their lives. They really
want Jesus to touch them and they look to your congregation as the
embodiment of Jesus. That is exactly what we are to be as the body
of Christ.
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The people who visit your congregation come because they are hungering
for relationships with you and with God. It is difficult to take
the step of visiting a church for the first time. When they take
that step and overcome their natural tendency to continue to stay
away, you have an opportunity to minister to them and to share the
Gospel with them.
Remember this important principle, when you follow up with guests
to your worship services, you are responding to them. They have
sought you out and you are helping them get what they really want.
Often churches are afraid to follow up with guests. They do not
want to seem pushy. That is unfortunate. Your guests have made the
first step and they are expecting something from you or they would
not have come in the first place.
Plan to follow up with love and help until your guests are either
a part of your church family or they let you know they do not want
any more of your care and help.
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This
article is from
REACH OUT! Your Congregation’s
Complete Guide for Turning Guests into Members
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