Connecting Newcomers
Evaluate how welcoming your church is and use these tools to improve.
See Related:
Training Theme |
PowerPoint| Topics: | Assimilation, Community, Growth, Hospitality, New members, Newcomers, Visitors & guests |
| Filters: | Church staff, Discipleship, Elder, Greeter, Hospitality, Outreach, Pastor, Usher |
| Purpose: | Ministry |
| References: | Romans 12:9 , Philippians 2:5-11 |
| Date Added: | August 27, 2007 |
Click an image or title below to order any of these recommended resources.
Leadership Journal: Reaching & Connecting
The premier journal for church leaders devoted an issue to "Reaching & Connecting." You'll find a list of articles from that issue that relate to how your church can improve its connecting process.Read this issue online at:
http://christianitytoday.com/le/8l3/
Discontinuity and Hope
by Lyle E. Schaller
This book is more conceptual than practical, but it gives the big picture of why attracting and keeping newcomers is so critical in this era of rapid change. See especially "New Generations Bring a New Context."
The Five Star Church
by Stan Toler and Alan Nelson
Two strong chapters in this book are "The Secret Church Shopper" and "Evaluation and Measurement."
Growing Spiritual Redwoods
by William Easum and Thomas Bandy
A realistic view on spiritual growth and how spiritual vitality takes time to develop.
The Purpose-Driven Church
by Rick Warren
This gives the underpinnings of building a church strategy that reaches your community for Christ. (Zondervan)
Rethinking the Church
by James Emery White
This takes every aspect of how a church functions and forces the reader to check his or her assumptions. Check out the chapters on "Rethinking Evangelism" and "Rethinking Discipleship."
The Race to Reach Out: Connecting Newcomers to Christ in a New Century
by Michael J. Coyer and Douglas T. Anderson
Both motivation and process are important pieces of connecting new people to the church. This book explores both the proper motivation and effective processes for making new people into members and disciples. (Abingdon, 2004; ISBN 0687066689)
No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come-as-you-are Culture
by John Burke
The generations under 35 are some of the least churched in American history. One of the reasons for this is that many feel they are not welcome as they are at a church. This book offers practical instruction in how to create a culture where people will feel welcome just as they are. (Zondervan, 2005; ISBN 0310256550)
Membership Matters: Insights from Effective Churches on New Member Classes and Assimilation
by Charles E. Lawless Jr.
Based on a national study of effective churches, this book can help you begin an effective membership class or to improve on an existing one. It includes resources such as church covenants, class schedules, and lesson outlines. (Zondervan, 2005; ISBN 0310262860)
