New Participants Introductions
Plan one or two evenings each year when you invite new participants (even though they may not have yet become members) to share their life's experiences a few minutes each before the congregation.
BEST SUITED FOR: Any Size Congregation
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
 | Plan it for a Sunday evening and orchestrate a potluck finger food meal. |
| Line up participants a couple months ahead so they can plan it in their schedules. |
| People share their background, hobbies, job, family, travels, what they like about the church (slides and symbols can be helpful). |
| If your church uses the friendship partner idea, have them introduce the new people -- possibly interview them. |
DO'S AND DON'TS
| DO......limit the time for sharing for each person – possibly up to 6 minutes. Interviewing them helps to govern time. |
| DO......realize the potential of this in networking people to each other. |
| DO......use overhead with names listed, uncovering the next name as people share. |
| DO......summarize (a few basic facts) in the next newsletter so names can be remembered better. |
| DON'T......have more than eight couples or individuals share in any one evening; rather divide up into two events with a few months between. |
RESOURCES NEEDED: None.
COST: None.
Idea submitted by Waterford Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana.
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