Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Are you pleased with the number of guests you had during Lent last year? And how involved they are now?

If so, don’t waste your time here. If not, here are some thoughts and ideas:

1) Key thought: new people are guests – not visitors. You do not ‘greet’ them, you ‘host’ them.

2) Always try to get contact information from any guests – and follow up!

3) How many people know where the ashes for Ash Wednesday come from? Make it a community event. Stress the spirituality – ‘We failed to follow Jesus and so burn the palms with which we proclaimed our allegiance.’

Shrove Tuesday

1) Charge your members so ‘free’ is special for your guests.

2) Promote as ‘don’t cook dinner one night’,

3) Use Facebook & Instagram events, codes, and groups. (email me for ‘how to’.)

4) Use the reason for pancakes in church as ‘hook’ to cause people to look at your posts. It does seem strange and likely your own people cannot explain it!

5) When you guess you are at maximum number of guests, take a moment to introduce ministry leaders, inviting guests to speak to them. No speeches! Include a 5-second invitation to worship. During those 5 seconds, invite people to check out your recorded services.

6) If holding a Lenten study or sermon series take 5 seconds to mention it – make it interesting! “We will have special Bible studies on Wednesdays” will not attract anyone! Ask yourself, “What would be interesting enough for people to skip their favorite TV show?”

7) Keep it all short or it will feel like you invited them to trap them.

8) Have handouts on tables with ministries, contact persons, website, and social media links. This would make a great 60-second reel for Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Make sure to say, and have printed on the screen, your church name, address, and website.

9) Have handouts on tables explaining Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent. (email me for examples.)

10) VERY IMPORTANT – have contact cards on the table, with pens, and encourage people to fill them out.

Ash Wednesday

1) One of the largest religious groups in the USA, and one of the largest unchurched groups, is inactive Roman Catholics (RC). If you grew up RC, Ash Wednesday is very important. Most of them don’t know they can get ashes and communion at an Episcopal church. Tell them without mentioning Roman Catholicism specifically. Post lots of ‘all are invited’ posts on social media. This is another great topic for a 60-second reel.

2) If you grew up evangelical, non-denominational, or totally unchurched, Ash Wednesday is weird. That’s great! People want to have strange things explained. End your post with: ‘come and see’.

3) If you don’t have short videos explaining and inviting people to communion, create one now! Share it widely and often. I have an outline if that would help.

4) This Facebook page is a good example: https://www.facebook.com/ourfathergso/. The first thing a person sees is a short video introduction, followed by an explanation of communion.

5) Ashes to Go – some think it is an abomination, whereas others see it as outreach ministry. Your decision. If you do it, do it in a highly visible location. One church got permission to be at the YMCA as early exercisers left. Another church was outside a grocery store.

6) Don’t make it into an advertisement for your church! But also don’t forget to invite people. I like handing them a card with the prayers that were used, the link to the webpage or social media page, and an invitation. I also include a gentle invite: “if you don’t have other plans, please join us on Sunday at 10 am.” (I used to say “some Sunday” but that’s too vague. I now invite them to this Sunday.) Print this on heavy paper so it is not crushed in a pocket.

7) On Ash Wednesday, plan for guests. Have at least two hosts (not greeters). I can send you a training video. Have a nursery if possible. Be prepared to explain Ash Wednesday to a curious 5-year-old!

8) Make sure to ask for contact information. A guest book in the narthex is worthless if no one fills it in. Gently explain you would love to keep them informed. A QR code in the bulletin that takes you to the website contact page can work well.

FOLLOW UP

You will have wasted your time, effort and money if you ghost your guests and do not make contact afterwards. The goal is to build a relationship.

1) I think texting is best.

2) After Shrove Tuesday, send a quick “thank you for coming” with a reminder/invitation to Ash Wednesday. I hope you are overwhelmed with guests, so there is too much to do! Honestly, with a little advanced planning, it should take less time than cleaning the tables.

3) Contact them regularly. I aim for once a week. There are lots of good things to share in addition to your church’s information.