The Five Elements of a Fully Implemented Connections Strategy


Happy kids holding hands
You can get better connecting with families that are guests at your church.

The Five Elements of a Fully Implemented Connections Strategy: A 25 Part Blog Series

Introduction:

Implementing a Connections strategy (or “Assimilation” strategy) is a long term process, and one that relies on a culture of continual improvement. In other words, it relies on a culture that isn’t afraid to do a 360 degree self-evaluation on a regular basis. It begins by pulling together the existing pieces of guest follow up, your discipleship groups, and serving opportunities, and creating a strategic process that begins the moment someone engages with your church online and/or pulls into the church parking lot, all the way to the moment they are serving faithfully in the church and making disciples.

You may not have to start from scratch, and you probably have some pieces of the puzzle already in place.

This is the first post of a 25 part blog series, to be published over the next five weeks. Everything I have posted here is the result of my own personal experiences, from serving on church staffs, volunteering as a lay leader, and being brought in as a paid consultant. It is my hope that these posts will help you and your church get better at connecting with guests, not simply to increase your attendance and membership, but ultimately to grow the body of Christ.

If your church needs help with building or improving your own strategies, I am currently booking dates for 2017 and you can reach me by clicking THIS LINK. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I want to help every church I can get better at connecting with real people in their neighborhoods and spheres of influence. If you need help, contact me. You can also subscribe to this blog to have these articles emailed to you by scrolling to the bottom of the page, entering your email, and clicking the “subscribe” button. As each individual post is published, I will add the link to this master list.

Here are the five elements present in a fully implemented Connections Strategy…

Element One: First Impressions

1.1 First Impressions

1.2 Online Engagement

1.3 Your Parking Situation

1.4 Strategic Introductions

 

Element Two: Guest Services

2.1 Your Greeters

2.2 Guest Services: Central Location

2.3 Guest Services: Your Materials

2.4 Guest Services: The Guest Packet

2.5 Guest Signage: Smart Signage

 

Element Three: Guest Follow Up

3.1 Guest Follow-Up Process

3.2 Who Does Follow-Up?

3.3 How To Follow Up

3.4 What Should We Say?

3.5 Next Steps

 

Element Four: Connecting In Community

4.1 Group Link Events

4.2 Group Launch Curriculum

4.3 “Starting Point” Groups

4.4 Topical Electives

4.5 Serving In The Church

 

Element Five: Serving Together

5.1 Clear Next Steps

5.2 A Visible Presence

5.3 Offer Opportunities

5.4 Pastoral Invitation

5.5 Special Church-Wide Events


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