I've always thought we needed to get new members into some mission of the church as quickly as possible-both for them and us. So, I decided to make a point of asking about their interests when they were introduced to the congregation.
The first time was a family. I said, "Have you thought about what you might be interested in doing in the church?" They stared at me blankly as if I had asked if they had any convictions on their record. So I decided I hadn't phrased it well. I asked, "What missions are you interested in?" The wife stared at me like a deer in headlights. Then the husband brightened. "Oh, we're not interested in that!"
I have to admit that set me back on my heels, but I tried again with the next new member-a young man. He replied that he didn't know-that he needed some ideas. Now we run these people through a class where they get a look at everything the church does, but maybe he was just too excited to pick one. So I suggested one.
"Well, he said, "I don't know what's going to happen so I coudn't commit". "Not a problem," I replied, "if you get transferred or something else happens in your life, the church understands that". "No," he said, "I've got to keep my options open".
We have a member who regularly rails about how hard it is to get enough people to deal wth our homeless ministry even though we have 1,100 members. Wonder why?
2 comments on Asking too much
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Flip the question on its head. Ask yourself why new people aren't interested in getting involved in the programs. How do the programs appear to them? What prior experience (positive, negative) do they have with church volunteering?
Hi Andymoye,
The mission of the body of christ is preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, through JESUS testamony of his life on earth, to follow him and be converted and be bapitzied by the Holy Spirit, sell al you have and give to the poor and to help wih the widows and orphains that is our mission.
kkingdstyle