Growth Points with Dr. Mc

Guest Follow-up that Works

On Your Mark — Church leaders know that effective follow-up of guests is an important ingredient to their church’s growth. Traditionally, churches followed up with guests through a personal visit to the new person’s home by a pastor or calling team. Today we recognize that method is no longer as effective as it used to be.

Get Set — Follow-up is most effective when guests receive 1) A friendly contact — Offer your friendship, but don’t offend new people needlessly. 2) A personal contact — Nothing takes the place of personal touch in our high tech/high touch age. 3) A prompt contact — Contact guests within 24 hours of their visit. 4) A non-threatening contact — Put the guest at ease, since they have a natural uneasiness about new places and people. and 5) A continual contact — Guest follow-up is a process not an event.

Grow — Today’s guests want their visit acknowledged, but aren’t expecting to be introduced publicly at church or visited in their home. Build on these principles of effective follow-up by inviting guests to a friendly gathering after church, sending a thank you card after their first visit, making a friendly phone call to invite them back, setting up an appointment to meet for coffee or lunch, or inviting them to a get-acquainted gathering at church. What other possibilities can you think of doing that build on the principles above?

-Gary L. McIntosh, Ph.D.
Author of The Ten Key Roles of a Pastor

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