Making New Friends this fall
Free training
Having new people associated with your church does not just happen. It takes deliberate intention with planned efforts.
Two of the best opportunities happen soon: Blessing of Backpacks (etc.) and Blessing of Animals. But to be effective they must be designed properly.
register: https://www.jotform.com/231996163361158
A few thoughts that will be expanded upon in the training:
Blessing of Backpacks:
Don’t limit it to backpacks in your promotions. Include teachers, staff, books, classes – anything you can think of!
Don’t do it as most churches have done – a five-minute activity during a Sunday service. How many non-members have attended? An unchurched person is by definition a person who does not want to attend church (yet) or they would be attending!
I like late Sunday afternoon, but other times can work.
Don’t limit it to the blessing. You want people to stick around 45 minutes, of which the blessing service is ten. The 45 minutes gives you time to meet people and begin a relationship.
Ice cream and games always works well. Hot dogs could be included. Make it a festival.
Drawings for prices donated by merchants is always fun and a good way to get contact information.
Don’t forget to follow-up with at least a ‘thank you for being here’ text.
Don’t forget to include a prayer booth.
Don’t forget to tell them about your church.
Don’t forget to promote the heck out of it!
Blessing of the Animals (BOTA)
Do make it a community festival.
Invite 5-10 vendors such as veterinarians, dogwalkers, cat cafes, stores, etc. etc.
Treat all Vendors as guests, not employees.
Do make sure they learn about your church – not just the street address.
Do expand it beyond the blessing. You want people to stick around 45 minutes, of which the blessing service is 10-15. The 45 minutes gives you time to meet people and begin a relationship.
Ice cream and games always works well. Hot dogs could be included. Make it a festival.
Food trucks can join in
Drawings for prices donated by vendors and other merchants is always fun and a good way to get contact information.
In exchange for the publicity, you ask the vendors to:
promote it through their networks.
donate 1 or 2 items for drawings.
Do include a prayer booth.
Do get their contact information and send them a thank you.
Do promote the heck out of it!
So many ideas to share!
You may be able to do both (but don’t overwhelm yourself!). (1) They are 4 -6 weeks apart and (2) much of the preparatory work is for both.
PLEASE complete this form if interested even if you completed previous ones. It really does make my life easier!
(This schedule sounds backwards but I want to get the Backpack and Animal blessing details out ASAP.)
Schedule (all Tuesdays at 11am or 7pm Eastern time)
August 1 — Backpack basics
August 8 – Blessing of Animals basics
August 15 – intrigue = promote
August 22 – building relationships afterwards
August 29 – summary, questions, & discussion
Please share this! Bring others to the training. People with physical limitations can be a great help with promotions.
register: https://www.jotform.com/231996163361158