FROM FIRST TIME TO SECOND TIME GUESTS – PART 2

Author: RICK RUST

Now it is time to prepare for the:

Church Service Times
 
1.   Planning

• I understand we need to leave room for the Holy Spirit to move, but planning is crucial.
• Come early and make sure heating and air conditioning are working. Check to see if all needed lights are on. All computer and sound equipment is set up. Do not have people setting up mic cords as the service starts.
• Do “all things decently and in order”.

 
 2.   Worship   

• True worship takes place in the power of God and His Spirit. Therefore, worship is to be powerful.
• Worship requires that we have adequately prayed for the service, that the pastor is walking in the Spirit. Members have prayed and are right with God.
• Begin the service expecting God to do great things. Come with a spirit to participate. If a guest is seeing you not participating in the service, why should they?
• Do we impress our guests that we are entering into the very presence of God?
• Hebrews 13:15 – By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name
• Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
• Philippians 2:9-11, Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

 
3.   Information Gathering

• You will never get everyone to fill out a connection card, but I believe a proper system will help you to maximizes the number who will fill out a guest card.
• You can use a generic card that goes into the pew but a custom card each week works best.
• Give out the card and a bulletin to EACH person as they enter the service.
• Have everyone fill out a card.

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• During the Guest Welcome.
• Guests don’t like to be centered out. Ask during your welcome for everyone to fill out a card.
• Guest are more comfortable, filling out the card when they observe everyone doing it.
• This will involve teaching your members, in advance, the importance of filling out these cards. Ask members to fill out the name and email and ask guests to fill out whatever they are comfortable doing.
• Teach the church family the importance of guests seeing them fill out the connection card. When guests notice the members doing it, it will encourage them to do it also.

During the Preaching

• During your preaching or at the conclusion, you can draw people back to the connection card. You can ask them to make a spiritual commitment or ask them to commit to memorizing the scripture verse for the week.

During the Offering

• Have everyone place the connection card in the offering.
• Give people a reason to use the card. 
• Have a place for people to sign up for events. Give them an opportunity to make a spiritual decision for Christ.