Retaining Your Members

Many churches believe they first should focus on reactivating their inactives before they focus on reaching new people. The reality is, however, it is much harder to reactivate inactives than to reach brand new people.¹

The best approach is to try to prevent active members from becoming inactive in the first place. Here are some ways how...

1. Annual Renewal of Membership Vows. Annually have a renewal of membership vows during a worship service. Have members sign a "Member Covenant" (see example) and place it on the altar.
2. Annual Focus on the Basic Vows. Set aside a time during the year to focus on each of the four basic membership vows: prayers, presence, gifts, and service. Ask for commitments each time--for example, a commitment to pray for the church and its leadership daily, to set a personal worship attendance goal for the year, to make a financial pledge to the church, to commit to serving in a particular ministry for the year. (see "Time & Talent Survey") Churches tend to get the best results when they deal with each vow at a separate time.
3. Shepherding Program. Institute an intentional contact system that calls on people absent three consecutive weeks from worship. Even if it is known why someone missed (vacationing, were sick, etc.), they still should be called. One person, not the pastor, or a group of persons could do this as a ministry. Some churches do this through a shepherding program. They assign all their active members to lay "shepherds." These shepherds usually have around five families ("sheep") assigned to them. The people who check the pew pad attendance sheets each week notify the shepherds whose sheep have missed worship three weeks in a row. The shepherds then give them a friendly call. Some churches also have shepherds send a greeting card, on behalf of the church, when their sheep celebrate wedding or birthday anniversaries. In setting up a shepherding program, it is best if shepherds initially select their friends and acquaintances. The final family or two they probably won’t know. It’s also important that someone periodically checks with the shepherds to make sure they are following through with their responsibilities.
4. Letter to Inactives. Those missing worship six consecutive times should be called by a lay person (e.g. their shepherd) again. When they have missed fifteen weeks, the pastor should send them a note reminding them of the vows that they made and encouraging them to return. Enclosing a response card can help get them to decide to do something. (see examples)
5. Trading Inactive Lists. Church growth expert, Herb Miller, says that one effective way to reactive inactives is to trade lists with another church.

¹ Herb Miller, "Parish Paper" (Oct. 1996), says, "You can recruit ten new church members with the energy required to get one inactive member back."

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Example of a Member Covenant

(based on the UM Hymnal’s new-member ritual)

Member Covenant

Before God, I wish to renew my commitment to him and his church.

• I repent of my sins.
• I accept the freedom and power God gives me to resist evil, injustice, and oppression.
• I confess Jesus Christ as my Savior and put my whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as Lord in union with the church.
• I will remain a faithful member of Christ’s church, upholding it by
  1. my prayers: pray daily,
  2. my presence: attend worship regularly and participate in a small group (choir, UMW circle, cell group, UMYF),
  3. my gifts: share money (tithing is the goal, 10% of my income), time, and spiritual gifts,
  4. my service: participate in a ministry.

I will serve as Christ’s representative in the world.

Signed:_______________________ Date:__________

(Please place on the altar or return to the church office.)

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Time-and-Talent Survey

(Example of the first part of a gifts/ministry inventory)

Your name:______________________ Phone:______________ Date:___________

At our church, everyone is in ministry. Thoughtfully and prayerfully consider to which ministry areas God is calling you. If the ministry you’re interested in isn’t listed, write it in.

In most cases, someone will talk with you more about the areas to which you have a passion and feel called. Training (if needed) is always available. If you have further questions, please speak with our pastor.

Proclaiming the Faith. You have been blessed with the special ability to share the Good News with others in such a way that these people want to become disciplined Christians. (Ephesians 4:11; Acts 13:31-33)

• ___ Read scriptures;
• ___ Light candles;
• ___ Plan worship services;
• ___ Help lead worship music;
• ___ Invite unchurched using "Tell-a-Friend" cards;
• ___ Invite new residents through phone calling.

Helps & Service. You have been blessed with the special ability to do those small but important behind-the scenes activities which are essential to the success of the work of the church. (I Corinthians 12:28; Mark 2:3-4; Romans 12:7)

Help...

• ___ Serve communion;
• ___ Run sound equipment;
• ___ Video tape;
• ___ Tidy pews;
• ___ Change banners & altar clothes;
• ___ Make or sort name tags;
• ___ Transport people;
• ___ With Vacation Bible School;
• ___ With Kid’s Club;
• ___ In library;
• ___ With youth ministry;
• ___ With weekday child care center;
• ___ With public relations (ads, signs, brochures, news releases);
• ___ Change message on outdoor sign;
• ___ Help with church newsletter (copy, fold, label);
• ___ Copy & fold bulletins (Thurs.);
• ___ Typing and/or computing;
• ___ Office receptionist (12-1pm);
• ___ Transport food & clothing to centers;
• ___ Make clothes;
• ___ Roll bandages;
• ___ With a mission work project;
• ___ Shepherd 5 or more families (contact members when they miss worship 3 times and send birthday & anniversary cards)

Teaching. You have been blessed with the special ability to help children or adults grow spiritually. (I Corinthians 12:28; Acts 18:24-28)

• ___ Give children’s moments;
• Church School teacher for: ___ Children, ___ Youth, ___ Adults;
• Church School assistant for: ___ Children, ___ Youth, ___ Adults;
• Help during worship with child care in: ___ Crib room, ___ 2-5 yr. old room;
• ___ Help teach Vacation Bible School;
• ___ Help w/ Kid’s Club;
• ___ Help with Cub Scouts;
• ___ Help lead youth fellowship;
• ___ Help lead a small group (cell group, Bible study, recovery group, etc.)

Hospitality. You have been blessed with the special ability to provide a warm welcome to others. (Romans 12:9-13; Hebrews 13:1-2)

• ___ Usher;
• ___ Greeter;
• ___ Red Coat (parking lot attendant);
• ___ Newcomer visitor;
• ___ Fellowship Friend (for new member);
• ___ People Connection host

Mercy & Prayer. You have been blessed with the special ability to show compassion for those who suffer distressing physical, psychological or financial problems, and/or you see frequent and specific answers to your prayers. (Romans 12:8; Luke 10:33-35; James 5:14-16) [Then you’d list items under this area, as above.]

Music, Dance & Drama. You have been blessed with the special ability to use music or dance or drama to bring praises and joy to the lord for the benefit of others. (Romans 12:7; Colossians 3:16; Psalm 150:4-5) [Then you’d list items under this area, as above.]

Arts and Crafts. You have been blessed with the special ability to use your hands, imagination and mind to advance the kingdom of God through artistic, creative means. (Romans 12:7; Exodus 31:3-11)

Exhortation. You have been blessed with the special ability to provide words of comfort, consolation, encouragement and counsel to others. (Romans 12:8; I Timothy 4:11-13; Acts 14:21-22)

Leadership. You have been blessed with the special ability to get people to work together to accomplish worthwhile goals. (Romans 12:8; Acts 15:7-12)

Building/Maintenance. You have been blessed with the special ability to use your hands, imagination and mind in the areas of construction, maintenance and upkeep for the benefit and beautification of God’s Kingdom. (Romans 12:7; II Chronicles 34:9-13)

Giving. You have been blessed with the special ability to contribute your material resources to the work of the Lord with great joy, eagerness and generosity. (Romans 12:8; Mark 12:41-44)

Knowledge & Wisdom. You have been blessed with the ability to discover, accumulate, analyze and clarify information, and/or the ability to know how given knowledge may best be applied to specific needs. (I Corinthians 12:8; Colossians 2:2-3)

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Example Letter/Response Card for Inactive Members

Example letter to inactive members:

Dear (member’s name),

We have missed your sharing in worship the past few months. You are an important part of this, Christ’s church, and its ministry.

When you joined our church, you made a vow to uphold it with your prayers, presence, gifts, and service. Our prayer is that you might renew your commitment and, once again, become active in the life our church.

You can indicate your interest in renewing this commitment by checking the appropriate response on the enclosed card (See example below) and returning it to us.

If you want to continue to be a part of our church however right now you’re unable to fulfill all the membership vows, please consider changing your membership from "full" to "constituent." You still will be welcome to participate in all of the church’s ministries. Just indicate your desire on the enclosed card.

If you know longer wish to be a full member, please indicate that on the card. Know that you’ll be missed.

Finally, if you’d like to talk with me about this matter, you can indicate it on the card, or feel free to give me a call at our church.

In the Spirit of Christ,

Pastor

 

Example of enclosed response card:

Dear (name of member), please fill this out and return it as soon as possible.

 

___ I wish to renew my commitment to our church, supporting it through my prayers, presence, gifts, and service.

___ I wish to change my membership from "full" to "constituent."

___ I wish to transfer my membership to the following church:

Church’s Name:

Church’s Address:

___ I wish to withdraw my membership.

___ I wish to speak with the pastor.

Name:____________________________ Date:_____________