VISITOR FOLLOW UP TRAINING
By: Bro. Leon
Four points of V.F.U.:
1) Phone Call
2) Letter from Pastor
3) A personal visit
4) Receive church bulletin each month for 1 year
Assignments will be handed out on Bible Study Night or Prayer Meeting night, to be returned the following Sunday. Staff will visit on their own schedule.
Two main purposes of the visit:
1) To establish contact, be friendly and invite back
2) Obtain a HOME BIBLE STUDY (this is the main purpose)
Visits are to be completed within given time period.
New Converts are to receive at least two drop-in visits each month.
Visitors are our best prospects for the following reasons:
1) Ninety percent know somebody within the church.
2) They are searching for something or they would not have come.
3) They have felt the power of God in our service.
4) Most important, the Word of God has been planted in their heart by the power of preaching.
5) Most people that receive the Holy Ghost in our services have come more than one time.
We do not want to neglect our visitors but we want to roll out the red carpet, so to speak, for them.
A Personal Visit – The visit is the most important part of V.F.U. V.F.U. personnel must not be pushy or offensive in any way; should present themselves properly and be kind and polite; should introduce the Home Bible Study and explain in a way that the visitor would want to accept one.
Research has shown that most people come to God as a result of a crisis. (Death in family, marital problems, sickness, financial difficulties, etc.) A person cannot be forced to live for God, they must want to. Therefore, V.F.U. ministry must not try to push a person or pressure them into a Home Bible Study; it should simply express our sincere love and concern for them as a person. Then, when they go through a crisis, they will be aware of who to contact and where to go in their time of need.
(The original publisher of the above material is unknown.)
Making An Effective Follow-up Visit
By: Kennon L. Callahan
1. Remember that the key objective that you hope to accomplish on this visit is to get a home Bible study. You want to help them – and the Word of God can solve their problems.
2. Before going to the door, decide the exact time you plan to leave. Don’t stay too long.
3. Pray with your partner before ringing the doorbell. You should ask God to allow you to genuinely help this individual and show Christ’s love.
4. Dress neat, yet causal. People form their impressions by what you wear and say. You can never make a second “first impression.”
5. Stand to the side of the door in non-threatening position as you knock. Do not stand in an aggressive stance that suggest intrusion.
6. Smile! You may feel nervous, but try not to show it.
7. Begin the visit with who they are, not with yourself. “Mrs. Smith? Hi! My name is ___________, and this is _____________, and we are from Eastbrook Tabernacle. It was so good for you and your family to visit with us last Sunday! We wanted to stop by and let you know how much we appreciated your visit and, if you are not busy, we’d like to visit with you for minute.” NOTE: Don’t say, “We were in the area and thought we’d drop by.” This sounds false (and it is).
8. If possible, focus on Jesus, not the church program. Should they ask questions about the church, share with them the love and fellowship that your church has, not it’s physical attributes.
9. During the visit, share in mutual ways. Avoid asking excessive questions. Although questions are a good way to launch a conversation, you don’t want to sound as if you are giving an “interrogation” to discover
information. The purpose of the visit is to establish the beginnings of a relationship. Share with them, as well as asking them to share with you.
10. The main purpose of the visit is to offer a home Bible study. After light conversation, simply ask as the opportunity present itself, “Have you heard about out Home Bible Study program? No? Let me tell you about it!” It is often good to have a “Mini-Chart” to show them. Stress that the purpose of the study is not to push church membership, but to provide those who want to know more of the Word of God the opportunity to do so.
11. If they would like a study, set up the day and time right then! Don’t say, “someone will call you to set it up.” This rarely works. We will have someone there at that time to teach the first lesson. We can rearrange a better time later if it’s needed.
12. Leave while the visit is still on an upswing. Don’t wait until it has started downhill. There are two reasons for this. First, whatever level you leave a visit, you will pick up at that same point the next time you visit. Second, some of the deepest sharing of hurts and hopes will occur as you move toward the door. It is important to leave soon enough so that this process can occur. If you stay an hour and then move to leave, the person will simply be glad you are gone.
13. End the visit by focusing on them, not giving an excuse for leaving. Don’t say, “Well, I must go. I have a meeting at the church.” It is better to say, “Mary, we have enjoyed our visit together. We look forward to have you visit us again at Eastbrook Tabernacle. It’s been good to be with you.”
14. Before leaving, ask to have a word of prayer together at the door. Pray for them and their needs. Ask God’s blessing upon their home and family. This is very important!
(The above material appeared in Twelve Keys To An Effective Church.)
SAMPLE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
Visitor Follow-up Procedures
Hello, is this the _______________________residence?
This is ____________________from _____________________. Pastor ____________
asked me to call and express his appreciation for your coming to our ______________this past weekend.
(Let them reply)
Well, we are so glad you enjoyed it! If we can help you in any other way, please let us know.
(Let them reply)
Oh, one more thing. Pastor _________ wanted to send all of our guests a letter of appreciation. Let me be sure I have your Name and address correct.
(Double check NAME, ADDRESS, CITY, AND ZIP)
Well, the Lord bless you. You are always welcome at ____________________!
THEY SHOULD “HEAR” YOU SMILE!!
(The original source and/or publisher of the above material is unknown.)
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