1.WHAT DO I HOPE TO ACHIEVE BY THIS VISIT?

This is a case where a person or persons have attended our services, probably on the pre­vious Sunday. They may or may not be members of the Church of Christ. (Your visitor card will typically tell). Your main concern in your first visit is to get acquainted with this person or family and to show an interest in them by your visit and attitude. Be as friendly and cordial as you can so that they will recognize you as a friend, and through you, desire to attend services again. Think about; pray about, your attitude so that it will be a sincere, warm one.

2.SHOULD I TELEPHONE BEFORE GOING?

In many contacts of this kind, you will not know or have access to the telephone number. It will not be necessary to call, though, for they have indicated on the visitor’s card (in most instances) that you may call on them. Just use good judgment in selecting a time to visit.

3.WHEN SHOULD I GO?

It is better if you can make the visit before the next Sunday. (1) It’s easier to show that you are interested in them if you call as soon after their having attended as you can and (2) it may encourage them to be there the very next Sunday when otherwise they might go some­where else, especially if they are “shopping around.”
As to time of day various things will effect your choice. If it is a couple or family, you probably would want to wait till evening to visit when they are more likely to be at home. If it’s a woman, an afternoon call might be better. Try to select a time when you think it would be most convenient for them.

4.SHOULD I GO ALONE?

Your decision here will vary depending upon the contact. If it is a couple you are call­ing on, it would be better for you to take your companion, where feasible, or another mem­ber with you. If it is a woman, a woman could call alone or take another female member with her.  Similarly for men.

5.WHAT SHALL I DO WHEN I GET THERE?

When you first get to this home after you introduce yourself, you should mention that you are from the Church of Christ and wanted to come by and get acquainted. Tell them with meaning how glad the Church was to have them in the services last Sunday.

6.WHAT SHALL I TALK ABOUT?

Keep in mind the purpose of your visit. Show an interest in and get acquainted with the members of the family where possible, much the same as you would a new, next-door-neighbor. Talk about the neighborhood, the schools, your jobs, sports, your family etc. Try to establish some personal contact between you and the family and tell them you would like for them to meet your family where feasible. Avoid arguments and antagonistic attitudes on any subject, especially on the first visit. In the course of the conversation, try to secure the following information if you do not already know it.

(1) If one or more are members of the Church: Find out how many of them are members; where they last had their membership; how long they have been members of the Church; number of children and approximate ages; if children in Sunday school; if they seem to have been fairly active in the Church in the past; how long they have been living here.
(2) If none are members of the Church of Christ: Find out where they have been attend­ing; how they came to attend your services; number of children and approximate ages; if children are in Sunday school, etc.

(Don’t quiz them like a census taker, but attempt to pick up this information while con­versing. Jot it down on your report sheet when you get home.)

7.SHOULD I LEAVE ANY WRITTEN MATERIAL?

Plan to have some cards available, which will list the schedule of services, and a few other pertinent items that will be appropriate to give on such a visit. If they make specific inquiries about the Church, you might answer briefly and promise to mail or bring by a tract which will deal with the inquiry. (You’ll often find a good selection of tracts in the tract racks or in your preacher’s/elders’ own personal study – yes, they can’t resist grabbing tracts everywhere they go! )

8.HOW LONG SHOULD I STAY?

The first visit should not be a prolonged one. It is much better to make a short, friendly visit rather than a long, boring one.  You can usually determine when you have overstayed your wel­come by the flow of conversation. Stay long enough to at least become acquainted (sometimes 15 minutes would suffice); don’t prolong the conversation merely because you can. (An hour is usually long enough for any first visit).

9.WHAT ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD I MAKE BEFORE LEAVING?

Try to get a definite commitment. Ask if it will be possible for them to be in attendance again next Sunday. If you know, tell them what the sermon subject is to be. Invite them to come for Bible study.  If the parents are hesitant, volunteer to come by for the children next Sunday and set a definite time when you will be by. They are more likely to come when they have made some such commitments.

10. WHAT SHOULD I REPORT?

Your report is to be written on the back of your contact notice. Give the date and time of day you made your visit. Indicate whether it was a good time of day for the family schedule. List the information mentioned under question 6 which you were able to secure. Indicate how you were received whether friendly or indifferent. What response did they manifest toward the service they attended? Did they indicate whether they plan to return? If members, did they indicate if they plan to have their fellowship with you?  File the report with the elders / at the building.

11.HOW WILL THIS REPORT BE USED?

The congregation will keep a record of the number of contacts made in each zone and the visit results from the program. Reports will be given out regularly. Besides the statistics, the information on the reports will be used for follow-up contacts.

12.AM I THROUGH WITH THIS CONTACT AFTER THE ONE VISIT?

Continue to show an interest in this contact after your first visit. If they are present the following Sunday, be sure to greet them and introduce them to others. If you can, have them home with you if not then, at an early date where feasible, and you can, have other members in at the same time.  If they aren’t present the following Sunday, go by or call and find out why. If they are not members and continue to show interest, ask about arranging a weekly study period with them in their home. If they are members, encourage them to have their fel­lowship with the congregation and to let the brethren know. Try to promote some visible response on their part as you come to know them.