1.WHAT DO I HOPE TO ACHIEVE BY THIS VISIT?
This person or persons has identified with the congregation, but they have not attended any of the Sunday services lately or have been irregular in attendance. Your purpose is to show an interest in them by your visit. If you personally have missed them, convey this to them. Try also to make them feel that they are missing something. Before going, ask God’s help in manifesting a genuine concern in them, in the spirit of meekness, Read Galatians 6:1-2.
2.SHOULD I TELEPHONE BEFORE GOING?
(1)If you know the people well enough, you might want to plan something to do with them such as a shopping date, an afternoon of sewing, etc. (in the case of women); or a sports event, etc. (in the case of men) or perhaps a dinner date at your house if it is a family involved. This is a situation where such arrangements might be more effective than a visit at their home. You would need to telephone in such cases.
(2)If you are not intimately acquainted, a call beforehand wouldn’t be necessary. Select a good time and stop by for a short visit.
3.WHEN SHOULD I GO?
This situation may not be as urgent as some. However, there is quite possibly a problem an early contact might help solve. The time of day you select will depend upon the type of call you decide on. (See answer to question. 2.) A time could be arranged if you telephone. If you decide just to drop by an afternoon call might be best for contacting a woman, an evening call for visiting a family or a male member. Of course, your schedule will help decide.
4.SHOULD I GO ALONE?
(1)In the event it is one person you are to contact and you know them well enough to discuss things rather freely, it might be best to be alone with them. If it is a family you are to contact, it would probably be best for you and your companion, where feasible, to be involved.
(2)If it is a woman you don’t know well, a woman could go alone but she probably will want to take another lady with her. Similarly for men.
5.WHAT SHALL I DO WHEN I GET THERE?
(1)If you know them well, don’t make this particular visit with them conspicuously different from previous times you have been with them.
(2)If you haven’t had many occasions to be with them in the past, make sure that when you arrive that they know who you are and that you are from the Church. Indicate that you just stopped by for a few minutes chat.
6.WHAT SHALL I TALK ABOUT?
(1)When it is a rather close friend or couple, discuss things of common interest as you ordinarily would. However, definitely include allusions to the Church and its work. Perhaps they will volunteer the reason for not having been present lately, giving you an opportunity to encourage them. Talk about the good points of the work of the congregation.
MEMBER HASN’T BEEN PRESENT RECENTLY (Continued)
Try to overcome critical attitudes don't make it a session to gossip about fellow members and avoid arguments where possible.
(2)Become better acquainted if you don’t know the family well. Learn about the family members. Establish a personal contact between your family and theirs where feasible. They may not confide all their problems but try to convey that they are missing a lot by not being present. Tell them of the things the Church is doing (proposed gospel meetings, building program etc.). Tell them about the class work that would apply to their family and what is being studied if possible; tell what attendance has been averaging lately. Help them to see that they are needed and that they cannot continue as they have been and be pleasing to God. Make them want to come.
7.SHOULD I LEAVE ANY WRITTEN MATERIAL?
In most instances, they will know what their duty in the matter is. Your purpose is largely to cause them to want to do it by your interest and exhortation. Therefore, it is probably best not to leave material except in a few instances.
8.HOW LONG SHOULD I STAY?
(1)You can judge that if you are well acquainted with them.
(2)If not well acquainted you probably won’t want to make it a prolonged visit, (15 min. to an hour would be long enough in most cases.)
9.WHAT ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD I MAKE BEFORE LEAVING?
Ask if they will be able to come to services the next Sunday. Impress upon the parents the importance having their children (where present) in Bible study class – Their child’s attendance is not only personally beneficial, but encourages the other children. Volunteer to go by, where possible, if transportation is the problem. Be specific. Set a time when you will be by for them in such an event, (if transportation is the problem be sure to note it on your report.)
10. WHAT SHOULD I REPORT?
Note the date and time of your call on the back of your contact notice. Also indicate the nature of their reception, whether friendly or not. State what seems to be the problem and how you think it might be solved where possible by the date shown on your contact notice. File the report with the elders / at the building.
11. HOW WILL THE REPORT BE USED?
Besides adding the contact report to the zone records, the elders will use the information and suggestions on it for follow-up work. Perhaps the elders will need to make further inquiry.
12. AM I THROUGH WITH THE CONTACT AFTER THE ONE VISIT?
It they are present the next Sunday, be sure to greet them and tell them, how glad you are that they came. If they don’t come, call them or drop by again later on. Have them into your home with other members where feasible. Watch for them for several Sundays until they seem to be over the stress period.
Afterward, follow-up this accomplishment by encouraging them to have part in the other services and activities of the Church besides those on Sunday morning such as the men’s or ladies’ “Thursday” morning class. Sell the whole family on the value of the mid-week service. Remember James 5:20.