ABSENTEE CONTACT PROGRAM
Tim Massengale
OBJECTIVE: To lend a hand, to establish friendship, to show someone cares. To target problem areas that will assist in other
outreach programs and may include the involvement of other outreach programs. To target weaknesses within the body which will allow us to build and develop the church as a whole. To encourage regular attendance.
PROPOSAL: We have many programs available, such as, greeters in the hallway, Phone Ministry, Bible Studies, New Converts
classes, but as of yet no program developed to reach out to the absentee member in the adult class.
A program is needed to notice absences and respond to the obvious need of the absentee. Generally, if we have members in our congregation who begin missing service it’s because of a need in their life that possibly, we as the church, have failed to meet. A friendly hand extended in time can make the difference.
The following is a list of step-by-step procedures to follow regarding the Absentee Member Contact Form:
1. Attendance Record Keeper records name of those who have missed three consecutive Sundays then gives list to the Absentee
Member Program Director.
2. Pastor reviews the list to verify if there is a real concern or if the member may be absent for a legitimate reason, such as, vacation or illness in the family.
3. Absentee Member Program Director completes the Member Contact form and distributes to the Absentee Member Contact
Representative.
4. Absentee Member Contact Representative completes response portion of the form and returns to Program Director within the
timeframe indicated.
5. Copies of completed form are distributed to the Pastor, Outreach Program Director and to Shepherd Leader for possible follow-up and for review.
Possible follow-up suggestions are:
1. Another Absentee Member Contact Representative contact the absentee.
2. Pastor and/or Shepherd Leader make contact by telephone or make home visitation to the absentee.
3. Personal home visit (through the Outreach Department).
4. Home Bible Study.
Complete form accurately, completely, clearly and stay within the time-frame allowed.
JOB DESCRIPTION ABSENTEE MEMBER CONTACT PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Job Purpose
To administer contacts to absentee members or make contact personally. To assure contact information is forwarded to the
Pastor, Shepherd Leader and any other persons as needed on a case-by-case basis to ensure follow-up to the initial contact. To ensure this is done in a timely manner.
Job Qualifications
1. Must be filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus name.
2. Must meet the qualifications for church membership.
3. Must be loyal to the Pastor.
4. Must be faithful in attendance of church services.
5. Must carry a burden for wavering brothers and sisters.
6. Must be willing to work in harmony with others.
7. Must pray before making the contacts.
8. Must be sincere and adhere to the standards set by the church.
Job Responsibilities
1. Obtain list of those absent three times or more from attendance recorder.
2. Give list to Pastor to review.
3. Complete Absentee Member Contact Form.
4. Distribute Absentee Member Contact Form to Contact Representative(s).
5. Collect completed Absentee Member Contact Form once contact has been made.
6. Distribute copies of completed form to Pastor, Shepherd Leader and any other necessary departments, such as, Outreach Home Visitation Director.
7. Assist Contact Representatives in completing form or training of Contact Representatives.
JOB DESCRIPTION ABSENTEE MEMBER CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE
Job Purpose
To extend friendship, to pray for the individual or to help where help is needed. To encourage the absentee to return to the
flock and to find out what that may require so that we as the church body can help.
Job Qualifications
1. Must be filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus name.
2. Must meet the qualifications for church membership.
3. Must be loyal to the Pastor.
4. Must be dependable.
5. Must be faithful in attendance.
6. Must enjoy working with people.
7. Must have a burden for the lost and/or wavering saint.
8. Must be sincere.
9. Must adhere to the standards set by the church.
Job Responsibilities
1. Contact absentee by date indicated on the Absentee Member Contact Form.
2. Complete form regarding contact and recommendations to follow-up, when needed.
3. Return completed form to Absentee Member Program Director by designated date on form.
Training and Development
Attend initial program orientation.
Attend Outreach Workshops when requested by Absentee Member Program Director or Outreach Program Director.
ABSENT MEMBER CONTACT INFORMATION FORM
OBJECTIVE: Offer friendship and express concern so member is aware that someone sincerely cares about them.
NO PREACHING!!
DATE: _____________________________ NO. SERVICES MISSED: ________
NAME: ____________________________________________ AGE: ________
ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE NO.: _________________ LENGTH OF MEMBERSHIP: __________
CONTACT MEMBER BY: ________________ RETURN FORM BY: _____________
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
NAME OF MEMBER CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE: __________________________
PHONE NO. OF MEMBER CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE: _____________________
DATE TO CONTACT BY: __________________ CONTACT MADE: ____________
RESPONSE OF MEMBER: _____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS: ___________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
DATE RETURNED: ___________________ DATE FORWARDED: ______________
PASTOR SIGNATURE: ________________________________ DATE: ________
COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS: ___________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
SHEPHERD LEADER SIGNATURE: _______________________ DATE: ________
COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS: ___________________________________________
Tim Massengale. Total Church Growth. Copyright 1989
Christian Information Network
