1.WHAT DO I HOPE TO ACHIEVE BY THIS VISIT?
This contact has been secured from a “newcomers list" of families who have recently moved into our area. They have not attended our services and we do not know their religious status. Your visit will be designed to meet them, to give them a personal, neighborly welcome into the community, and to extend a cordial invitation for them to visit the services of the Church.
Your purpose is not to convert them in this visit nor necessarily to discuss religion directly unless they seem so disposed. Some who are not strongly affiliated with a denomination or who have no particular religious ties may respond to your early and sincere interest. In a few instances you may find one who is a member of the Church or who has relatives that are. In any event, you or others can make follow-up contacts if and when they do attend.
2.SHOULD I TELEPHONE BEFORE GOING?
It will not be necessary. In most instances we will not have access to the telephone number. Newcomers are accustomed to having strangers come by to get acquainted or for other purposes during the first few weeks without advance notice.
3.WHEN SHOULD I GO?
Since other religious groups will probably be calling, it is to your advantage to make the contact as early as you can after leaning about it. This increases your chances for influencing them to come before they make commitment to or become acquainted with those from denominational groups.
An afternoon call for ladies to visit the lady of the house is effective where possible. Otherwise, if an evening call is made, it is best for a couple (man and wife) to be involved.
4.SHOULD I GO ALONE?
It might be more effective for a lady to call alone in the afternoon. The lady of the house probably would be more responsive to one just dropping by, especially since she’s unacquainted. Take your companion in the event of an evening call and make it a family visit.
5.WHAT SHALL I DO WHEN I GET THERE?
Introduce yourself. Mention that you live in the area and desired to come by to get acquainted and to give them a personal invitation to the services of the Church of Christ where you attend.
6.WHAT SHALL I TALK ABOUT?
Chat informally about the neighborhood, the schools, and your families. Avoid being critical or antagonistic, especially on this brief visit. Inquire if they attend Church and if their children attend Bible study classes. If so, find out where they go and if they are members. Tell them something about your Bible class work and the teachers who would teach the classes of their children. Mention any special services scheduled for the near future such as gospel meetings. Convey to them how glad the Church world be to have them visit services and to have the children become part of the Sunday school.
7.SHOULD I LEAVE ANY WRITTEN MATERIAL?
It helps for the congregation to have a small folder prepared to give them, which will contain a written invitation to the listed services. It will also give other pertinent information such as the radio programs of Churches of Christ that may be heard locally.
8.HOW LONG SHOULD I STAY?
This should not be a prolonged visit. Fifteen minutes should be sufficient time in almost every case. A warm and cordial visit though short will probably be the most effective.
9.WHAT ARRANGENTS SHOULD I MAKE BEFORE LEAVING?
If they seem at all interested, encourage them to visit the services the next Sunday. Emphasize what a good time it is to get started attending regularly when one first moves into a new community. Where feasible, volunteer to come by for their children to take them to Bible study class and set a definite time if they seem agreeable. Don’t be insistent if they seem antagonistic to the idea.
10. WHAT SHOULD I REPORT?
Your report is to be written on the back of your contact notice. Give the date and time of your call. Indicate the number in the family listing the children and their approximate ages where possible. Note their religious affiliation or preference. Do they attend? Are the children in Sunday school? Does the family seem interested in attending our services? Would they let their children attend Bible study classes? Or were they satisfied, with their religious status and somewhat antagonistic? Do you think follow-up contacts would be profitable at this time? File the report with the elders / at the building.
11. HOW WILL THIS REPORT BE USED?
It will be used to help determine which of these “newcomers” indicate possibilities for worthwhile follow-up contacts. Those who seem to be prospects will be filed; others will be dropped.
Your visit will be numbered on the reports with those in your zone for the month.
12. AM I THROUGH WITH THIS CONTACT AFTER THE ONE VISIT?
Don’t give up too easily. If you made an afternoon call the first time, go by a few days later with your companion, especially where there was a point of contact established. If they do attend the services, be sure to greet them and introduce them to others. Have them home with you perhaps at a later date. In other words, continue to show an interest in them if they seem at all responsive.
