OUTREACH COMMUNICATIONS
Before people join churches they visit churches. An effective growth strategy requires attracting and retaining newcomers. So how can churches do this. Robert Bast, in Attracting New Members, gives insight concerning this process. Here are three suggestions to increase first time visits. Suggestion One: Advertising with a minimum of five percent of its budget through a) the Yellow Pages; b) frequent mailings to a specific target group with brochures, invitations to events or inquirer’s classes; c) newspaper ads in a section your target group will likely read; d) radio and television programs with seasonal messages. Suggestion Two: Programming that is age inclusive, broadly based, high quality, designed for the unchurched–specifically your target audience–with a desire to meet needs and perceived needs. Suggestion Three: Inviting friends, relatives, and neighbors. The most effective means of church growth–75 to 90 percent of all church growth–is produced as church members personally invite others to attend their church with the expectation that their guest will enjoy the…
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