Home / FAQ /
Prospects Wanting to Stay in Old Church
How to Handle Prospects
Wanting to Stay
in Their Old Church
Up-Dated -
Friday, September 19, 2008
Subtitle
Table of Contents
* The Problem
* Here is what I like to do
* Introduction
* Connection
* Picture Album
* Prayer Requests
The Problem
There is always a problem with those making a profession and wanting
to stay in their previous church. Once they are invited to your
church and they say they already have one, the dye is usually cast.
But if you bring it up before they own up to having a church, then
they are not as apt to feel they must defend this statement in
further conversation.
TOP
Here is what
I like to do
After praying and completing the
Decision Card, I ask,
"Do you have a church you attend occasionally?"
I use the word "occasionally" for several reasons:
* to have them agree that they do not go often, therefore not
commited, without telling them they are subpar, religiously
* to give them something to hang on to (later I will take it away)
* to make the point that they probably do not have a church
When they agree, that they do attend occasionally, I
say this:
"Now I am not trying to say anything bad about
anyone's church, but I wonder why it is that your church has never
told you how to be saved? (do not
let them speak, they may try to defend, go right into the
following...) I don't know either, but I do know this, that
if you got the changed heart a few minutes ago, you know it is true,
and if true, you will want to know more, so you can tell your family
and friends."
They will usually agree.
TOP
Introduction
Then I say something like this,
"Let me introduce you to someone special."
Then, have your member introduce the prospect to
you, if at all possible. If not, then someone else in the booth.
If they have nursery age children, then introduce
them to someone who works in the nursery. Bus age children, etc.
Let workers know ahead of time these introductions
will be made, so they can have some questions on the tip of the
tongue to ask and get a dialog started.
TOP
Connection
Connection is the ultimate goal. If your people can make a
connection (not just a mutual acquaintance or hobby, but heart
touching heart).
TOP
Picture Album
An album with pictures of the church as seen from a car passing by
(in your case, all 4 directions).
* Pictures of you and your wife greeting people at the door of the
church. (do not use portrait pictures, but ones showing you caring
for members or with your sleeves rolled up doing something, even one
in a hospital room)
* Pictures with participants in a ministry, having fun or
ministering to people in the community.
* Most of the people won in a booth are teens. Have some pictures of
camp, VBS, ralley, fund raiser, etc., where the teens are having a
good time. Especially pictures showing teens helping other teens in
some manner, or sharing something.
The album can be kept at the church entrance during the year to show
visitors in your attempt to make a connection. While people are
looking at the pictures, watch their face and voice tone to attempt
to pick-up some way God is working in their life, then go right into
it.
TOP
Prayer Requests
Ask for prayer requests. Tell them the request is good for a week,
but must be renewed the following week, so you will know when it has
been answered. Also pray with them right on the spot. Call next week
to ask about the request, to encourage them to renew weekly.
Of course all these things cannot be done at once,
but there may be something that would help.
TOP
TOP
|