Preview Article from Rev! Sept/Oct 2009
It remains a challenge to connect new people who are seeking meaningful, transformational relationships through the local church. Sign up forms, web-based strategies; social networking and “all our groups are posted in the lobby” are attempts to provide broad-scale assimilation pathways for interested community-seekers. But what works best?
Regardless of the approach, strategies that work best involve authentic “face-time” with people trying to find a group. Make sure your strategy includes this often overlooked aspect. Here are some questions to answer when shaping an effective connection strategy:
- Make it Clear: Do people know where to go to begin forming relationships?
- Make it Accessible: Is it easy to get there and to take a next step?
- Make it Personal: Who will be a friend or guide along the way?
- Make it Meaningful: Why is connecting to a little community so important?
Take a few moments to evaluate these guidelines against your existing connection strategy for helping folks find a group, regardless of the size of your church community.
Strategies from the “Deep South”
This spring I travelled south—way south—to teach and mentor leaders in four cities in amazing yet challenging South Africa. At Hillcrest Christian Fellowship in Durbin, I learned how they connect people to group life—right from the service.
Those interested in finding relationships that foster growth are invited after service to an open lounge area attached to the main auditorium. There elders and church leaders provide overview of the church and the group process, invited people to their homes the very next weekend. In each home 10-12 people get to know these leaders and each other, and are invited to return again another week. There they begin to form groups or are connected to an existing group.
“It is so important to us that people see us in our homes,” remarked an elder, “because in a church of 1500 it is difficult to find a connection with church leadership.” This “face-time” and the interaction with each other allow people to receive that personal touch from church leadership and also discover a clear pathway to a small group. See http://www.hcf.co.za for more information.
Bill
