When God guides a visitor to your church, He is entrusting you with a precious gift. It becomes your responsibility to follow up and nurture this person’s interest in growth. Making follow-up visits is key to encouraging that growth!
While there are many ways to structure a great plan for assimilation, here is a time-tested follow-up schedule that will help you engage and connect with your visitors!
Step-by-Step Process for Follow-Up Visits
Step 1: Review the Connection Card
- When: Monday morning
- What to do:
- Review the visitor's connection card.
- Note their address, phone number, email, etc.
Step 2: Write a Handwritten Note
- When: Monday morning
- What to do:
- Write a handwritten note thanking them for being your guest.
- Express gratitude for their visit and invite them back next Sunday.
- Include your business card and possibly a church brochure or series information.
Step 3: Send an Email
- When: Monday afternoon
- What to do:
- Email the visitor thanking them for being your guest.
- Extend another invitation to return.
Step 4: Make a Personal Call
- When: Monday afternoon
- What to do:
- Call the visitor to thank them for coming.
- Try to set an appointment for a visit that week.
- Suggested script: “I just wanted to call and thank you so much for being our guest at [Your Church Name] on Sunday. It was such a delight to have you with us. I was wondering if you had any time this week to get together. I would love to get to know you better and to share with you all that God is doing in our class and church.”
- Aim for an appointment on Thursday evening, but be flexible.
Step 5: Prepare for the Visit
- What to bring:
- A Bible
- A book titled "First Steps for New Believers"
- A Baptism brochure
Step 6: Conduct the Visit
- What to do:
- Begin by thanking them for being your guest.
- Ask how they heard about your church.
- Inquire about their church background, marital status, children, and how long they have lived in the area.
- Answer any questions they have about your church and class.
- Invite them back and inform them about next Sunday’s plans.
- Seek a commitment for their attendance.
Step 7: Discuss Eternity
- What to ask:
- “I am so glad you visited with us, and I am looking forward to having you back this Sunday. But even more important than going to church is to know where you will spend eternity. If you were to die today, if you were to face eternity, do you know for sure where you would spend eternity?”
- If they say "no," ask if you can show them how they can know for sure from the Bible.
- If they say "yes," ask how they know. If it aligns with the Bible, congratulate them. If not, offer to share what the Bible teaches.
Step 8: Provide Assurance and Resources
- What to do if they receive Christ as Savior:
- Give them verses on assurance.
- Ask, “On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being great and 1 being bad, what kind of a Christian would you like to be?”
- Commend their desire to grow and offer to help them reach their goal.
- Give them a Bible with their name and the date inscribed.
- Provide the book "First Steps for New Believers" and a Baptism brochure.
- Explain the resources and encourage them to work through the book and read the brochure.
- Offer to be available for any questions they may have.
Step 9: Encourage Daily Bible Reading
- Why:
- Satan fights new believers aggressively.
- Encourage them to read the Bible daily to begin growing in their faith.
Step 10: Pray for Them
- What to do:
- Pray for the new believers.
- Be a good steward of those whom God has led your way.
By following these steps, you can effectively nurture the growth of new visitors and help them integrate into your church community. May God bless your efforts as you serve Him faithfully.
