Thursday, November 27, 2008
For some updated info about the work of "Disaster Assistance" please go to Mikes blog http://mikesmissionupdates.blogspot.com Mike and I talk together nearly everyday. It is a real privilege to work with this organization that is so given to helping needy people, especially with one that is has so much opportunity for evangelism. Don
In our last discussion, we learned how important it is to let people know of your care and concern for them. We seem to live in a very uncaring world and when you show you care, it stands out. Now here are methods that we have found very helpful in letting visitors at church know you appreciate them.
Cards. Some people are just given to seemingly pen just the right thing. My wife, Rosemary, has been very helpful to me in our evangelism work, because the people I am trying to teach have often received a card from her thanking them for their visit at church or a congratulatory card on some accomplishment. People really appreciate her thinking about them.
Telephone Calls. It may be that you choose to express your appreciation for someones visit at church or some other happening with a telephone call. Remember to keep the call brief. It might be a good idea to invite them to call you or ask if you may call them back. Remember the call is about them. It is very easy ( especially for me) to talk about your children or grand children. There will be time for this, but make that first call about them.
Visiting someone at their home. I have found, at least for me, that this is most effective. Often people appreciate you taking you time to stop by their house. It is my practice and my suggestion to always take someone with you on your visit. On the first visit, I make it a practice not to go in even if invited. I don't want to disrupt anything. If we are invited in, and we often are, I say we'd like to come back. When is it convenient for you? Now there are those rare occasions when we determine it is almost a necessity to go inside, but this is very rare on the first visit.
There have been some interesting findings is showing care to those whom you contact. The sooner the visitor receives a card or telephone call or personal visit, like on a Mon. or Tues., the more likely they are to return the following Sun. or soon after. If at all possible, we don't wait until Fri. or Sat., just before worship the next day. It just seems to be more productive if contact is made earlier in the week.
Now from time to time we want to answer the question, do the practices and methods which we are teaching really work? I can only tell you of personal experience. A few years ago, when we began the work at Howell Church of Christ, our attendance was in the upper teens and low 20's. Last Sunday we had 67 in attendance. God really does give the increase. Don
In our last discussion, we learned how important it is to let people know of your care and concern for them. We seem to live in a very uncaring world and when you show you care, it stands out. Now here are methods that we have found very helpful in letting visitors at church know you appreciate them.
Cards. Some people are just given to seemingly pen just the right thing. My wife, Rosemary, has been very helpful to me in our evangelism work, because the people I am trying to teach have often received a card from her thanking them for their visit at church or a congratulatory card on some accomplishment. People really appreciate her thinking about them.
Telephone Calls. It may be that you choose to express your appreciation for someones visit at church or some other happening with a telephone call. Remember to keep the call brief. It might be a good idea to invite them to call you or ask if you may call them back. Remember the call is about them. It is very easy ( especially for me) to talk about your children or grand children. There will be time for this, but make that first call about them.
Visiting someone at their home. I have found, at least for me, that this is most effective. Often people appreciate you taking you time to stop by their house. It is my practice and my suggestion to always take someone with you on your visit. On the first visit, I make it a practice not to go in even if invited. I don't want to disrupt anything. If we are invited in, and we often are, I say we'd like to come back. When is it convenient for you? Now there are those rare occasions when we determine it is almost a necessity to go inside, but this is very rare on the first visit.
There have been some interesting findings is showing care to those whom you contact. The sooner the visitor receives a card or telephone call or personal visit, like on a Mon. or Tues., the more likely they are to return the following Sun. or soon after. If at all possible, we don't wait until Fri. or Sat., just before worship the next day. It just seems to be more productive if contact is made earlier in the week.
Now from time to time we want to answer the question, do the practices and methods which we are teaching really work? I can only tell you of personal experience. A few years ago, when we began the work at Howell Church of Christ, our attendance was in the upper teens and low 20's. Last Sunday we had 67 in attendance. God really does give the increase. Don
# posted by Missions with Don&Rosemary @ 2:45 PM 
