Be Confident in Your Contacting

Many Bible study leaders, be they teachers, outreach leaders, or group leaders, struggle to develop a consistent plan of ministry to absentee members and to prospects. They want to reach out, but they really aren't sure how to proceed. On the surface, making regular contacts through calls, cards and e-mail/text messages seems simple. It isn't. In fact, it can be intimidating.

The Obstacles

Most leaders wonder what to say. More than one leader has said, "When I write a card to an absentee, usually I just say, 'We missed you in Sunday School last week.' I don't know what else to say."

Many teachers say they had not been successful in getting care group leaders to call their assigned group members. "After three or four months it seems to fizzle out. The callers become uncomfortable calling and saying the same thing each time they call."

Some Solutions

First of all, a class or department needs to identify a variety of reasons for making contacts. Then they can choose the methods that best fit their group or the situation.

Saying "we missed you in Sunday School" may not always be the best approach for an absentee. "Guilt trips" seldom encourage people to attend; in fact they often drive people further away.

Using a variety of reasons for making contacts helps communicate genuine care and concern. Multiple contacts by the same person become easier when each contact has a specific purpose.

The following ideas can be used for contacts by phone, written notes, or e-mails/text messages. Try using these ideas for contacting chronic absentees, guests, prospects, or even members who regularly attend.

1.    Time Change Reminder—Call on the Saturday before a time change as a reminder to change clocks.

2.    Bible Study Topic—Highlight the topic for an upcoming Bible study unit or lesson and how it will relate to their lives.

3.    Ask for a Prayer Request—Ask how you or your class can pray for them. They pray with them while they are on the phone. Ask whether you may share the request with the class or it should remain confidential. Finally, follow-up with an inquiry about how the situation is going.

4.    Share Prayer Request—Ask the person to pray for a prayer request from someone else in the class.

5.    Special Events—Invite them to a special church event such as a musical or children's program.

6.    "Happy Birthday"—Call to wish them a Happy Birthday.

7.  "Congratulations"—Call to congratulate them on a work, family, or school accomplishment.

8.    Health Concerns—When you are aware that the person or a family member is ill, call to see how they are doing and to express your concern and support.

9.    Offer Help—When appropriate, call to offer a meal, childcare, a ride to the grocery, leaf raking.

10.  Invitation—Offer a personal invitation to a Sunday School party or fellowship event.

11.  Service Project—Ask the person to join the class in a service project. Yes, include prospects! Prospects, guests, and chronic absentees might participate in a project before they would attend class or a party!

12.  Share Good News about the Church—Talk about the excitement in Vacation Bible School, a person baptized, or where you saw God at work in the last week.

13.  Request an E-mail Address—Enlist someone in your class to send periodic e-mails. Then call the care group member to request an e-mail address and permission to add them to the e-mail list.

14.  Give the Person a Job—Ask the person to be responsible for a one-time or short-term task in your class: bring treats, make some reminder calls, or set up chairs.

15.  "Thank you"—Call to say thanks for a thoughtful act or an encouraging word.

16.  "I appreciate you"—Let the person know you appreciate them as well as something they have done.

17.  "You were missed"—Everyone likes to be valued. This is a good reason for making a contact when used tactfully and not too often.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERS: Register for Sunday School Director’s Webinar with Allan Taylor, March 9, 10:00 – noon (EST) – live.groupministry.lifeway.com

FOR CHURCH LEADERS: Register for a Blueprint Coaching event to help change the culture in your church - https://buff.ly/2WHIWkM

FOR CHURCH LEADERS: FREE Church Security training on Ministry Grid - https://buff.ly/2RcZm5I

FOR CHURCH LEADERS:  4 Traits of an Effective Small Group Discussion Question - https://factsandtrends.net/2019/02/04/4-traits-of-an-effective-small-group-discussion-question/?ecid=PDM164652&bid=541110654

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: The Balanced Discipleship Plan: A Catalog of Studies to Develop Disciples - https://buff.ly/2Gv3CY6

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Gospel Foundations - https://buff.ly/2MXGCow

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Unanswered by Jeremiah Johnson - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/unanswered-bible-study-kit-P005717984

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Psalm 23 by Jennifer Rothschild - https://buff.ly/2SrLKAt

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Ministry to Women Handbook - https://buff.ly/2q5Grd3

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  What Matters Most by Karen Ehman - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/what-matters-most-leader-kit-P005802633

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Sign up for the LifeWay Men’s Newsletter - https://www.lifeway.com/en/shop/ministries/men

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Pathways by Tony Evans - https://buff.ly/2LTyp11

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Grounded by Clayton & Sharie King - https://buff.ly/2t4z5ba

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Student Life Summer Camps - Try one of the family of Student Life Camps (Rec camp/Mission camp/Beach camp/Smokies Mtn.) for your students next summer. https://buff.ly/2zUxnw8

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Is VBS Worth it? - https://buff.ly/2ss7rVd

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Settle for Nothing Less Parenting Workshop - https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/settle-for-nothing-less-P005810307

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: 2019 CentriKid Camps - https://buff.ly/2CWQQjG

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kid Event Pro – An online Kids Ministry Event Planning system - https://buff.ly/2PaMurS