+ ENLISTING REGULARS AS MAIN INVITERS!
Most churches who survey how people get there as guests say the number 1 reason is an invitation from someone in the church — ten times as often as the advertising of the church!
–helping our people consider their important roles
–understanding how consistency in services and excellence fit
+ TEENS AND TWENTIES AS “TECHIES”
- Some of them produce videos at school or just as friends for YouTube, and yet we often overlook them for church ministries.
+ ‘VETERANS’ AS “PARISH VISITORS”
- There are singles and couples, many retired, who would love a title, badge for the hospital, and clear responsibilities for hospital visiting (two days a month, for instance), shut-in “adoption,” or recoup people.
+ RETIRED EXPERTS AS “SPECIAL FORCES”
- On staff in their area of experience (administration, business, counseling, graphics, hospitality…), with a modest stipend monthly, ten weeks off a year, and strong assignments and recognition.
+ SHORT-TERM MISSIONS TRIPS TO YOUR OWN PLACE!
- Granted, only a few youth groups or adult groups have made it work, but most of our areas need help and love and attention as much as come of the other cities in the U.S. (catastrophes creating exceptions).
+ STRONG BUSINESS OR FINANCIAL PEOPLE AS BUSINESS ADVISORS
- Call them together at least twice a year for input on ministries and church finances. They will be grateful you have asked their input, and much more amenable to requests for giving during special projects.
- Ours looked like this:
- 5:00 pm reception to greet and gather
- 5:15 pastor’s welcome, appreciation, and joy
- 5:20 several updates on ministries going on, including several stories
- 5:30 short video on other ministries going on
- 5:40 Q/A and request for suggestions about current needs, ways financial needs are presented, ways reports on trends are given. Clearly someone is taking notes and all ideas are welcomed.
- 6:10 prayers for the future
- 6:15 appreciation and adjournment
+ FORMER TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS AS PART-TIME STAFF
- Especially in kids areas, some of the mothers whose kids are in school are willing to serve in ministries of their expertise and love (remember the ten-weeks off perk).
+ FELLOW PASTORS OR SPEECH EXPERTS AS EVALUATORS
- Every speaker-preacher needs assessment, and could probably catch ideas from having others assess and evaluate a sermon possibly once each quarter. Speech teachers comment on needs or quirks. And any of these should be done only by people who love you!
+ CHRISTIAN MINISTRY MAJORS AND SEMINARIANS AS INTERNS
- More churches are getting back on this wagon, where a student serves 12-20 hours a week in ministry, with a stipend for tuition or insurance.
+ OTHER PASTORS OR FRIENDS AS ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERS