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A 10 Point Checklist For A Guest Follow-Up Letter
August 3, 2009 - Barry Winders
Without overwhelming or underwhelming your guests, a well crafted follow-up letter suggests that welcoming guests is a regular occurrence on Sundays and there are no strings attached. Notice the advantages, options, and freedoms, guests are provided while giving priority to "word" choice to overcome some of the barriers guests experience.
The letter should be carefully written so as to convey the church's willingness to listen instead of trying to market itself or to "sell its product" so to speak. Have another person read your letter before you use it to get their feedback and to make sure the wording does not suggest in any way that the church is desperate. Incorporate the suggestions in the checklist below.
1. Thanks and appreciation for their attendance
2. Admission of awareness that guests check us out
3. A guest can "be yourself"
4. Use "How we can pray for you" / "anything we can do for you"
5. How guests can "particpate" or "just simply attend"
6. The pastor's or staff member's name is given and how to contact him/her
7. The chairperson's name of the Hospitality Team is given
8. Guests are given info on how to get "an updated calendar of events and activities"
9. Guests are given in the text of the letter itself the church office phone number, email address, website
10. The flavor of the letter is professional but friendly and makes no assumptions that a guest will return
Growing churches know that letters and newsletters are good for their limited value. No letter, regardless of how well it is worded, is personal. Keep in mind, that the letter is just one small step of many to seeing guests return. Relationships are both the attraction and the glue for new attenders.
Barry is the Founder and President of Ministry Indicators www.ministryindicators.com , a consulting group that provides experienced coaching to churches under 1,000 in attendance and ready for renaissance. He also serves as a consultant for the Missouri Conference of United Methodist Churches.
The letter should be carefully written so as to convey the church's willingness to listen instead of trying to market itself or to "sell its product" so to speak. Have another person read your letter before you use it to get their feedback and to make sure the wording does not suggest in any way that the church is desperate. Incorporate the suggestions in the checklist below.
1. Thanks and appreciation for their attendance
2. Admission of awareness that guests check us out
3. A guest can "be yourself"
4. Use "How we can pray for you" / "anything we can do for you"
5. How guests can "particpate" or "just simply attend"
6. The pastor's or staff member's name is given and how to contact him/her
7. The chairperson's name of the Hospitality Team is given
8. Guests are given info on how to get "an updated calendar of events and activities"
9. Guests are given in the text of the letter itself the church office phone number, email address, website
10. The flavor of the letter is professional but friendly and makes no assumptions that a guest will return
Growing churches know that letters and newsletters are good for their limited value. No letter, regardless of how well it is worded, is personal. Keep in mind, that the letter is just one small step of many to seeing guests return. Relationships are both the attraction and the glue for new attenders.
Barry is the Founder and President of Ministry Indicators www.ministryindicators.com , a consulting group that provides experienced coaching to churches under 1,000 in attendance and ready for renaissance. He also serves as a consultant for the Missouri Conference of United Methodist Churches.
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