Newcomer Party
Introduce established members to new and "not-yet" members by inviting a group of twelve to twenty persons together for a newcomer party. Following simple questions to help persons get better acquainted, have brief presentations by the pastor and another congregational leader. End the evening with refreshments and informal interaction.
BEST SUITED FOR: Any Size Congregation
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
 | Invite twelve to twenty persons about half of whom are established members to a home for an evening. Include the congregational chairperson and/or the evangelism committee chair. The other half should be new or prospective members. | ||||||
| The host or an evangelism committee members should greet people as they arrive and see that everyone has a name tag. | ||||||
| The pastor or an evangelism committee members leads a
get-acquainted "name game" with simple questions such as:
| ||||||
| Once people feel comfortable with one another, a final question elicits a deeper response: Tell us about a time in your life when God became more than a word for you. Be sure to give each person freedom to "pass." | ||||||
| Have the pastor share examples of "when to call your pastor." | ||||||
| Have the congregational or evangelism chair share briefly different aspects of the church program (Bible studies, youth group, choir, Sunday school classes, women's/men's groups, etc.) and invite involvement. | ||||||
| End the formal part of the evening with a benediction and blessing for the refreshments to follow. | ||||||
| In the days following, leaders should follow-up with prospective members, encouraging them to make a decision to unite with the congregation. |
DO'S AND DON'TS
| DO......hold this party in a home to create a warm feeling and allow persons to relax and be more informal. |
| DO......make arrangements for children in another room during the formal part of the evening. |
| DO......select persons who are already members who will most similar to the new/prospective members and/or persons who already have a relationship with them. This will provide natural connections for friendship partners. |
| DON'T......fail to follow-up with personal calls to prospective members. This makes the invitation to join more personal and caring. |
RESOURCES NEEDED
| A gracious host. |
| Light refreshments. |
COST: Minimal
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