Friendship Partners
Provide one-on-one support for newcomers. Appoint a friendship partner for new folks to "help show the way"—both before and after they officially join the membership of the church. Guides newcomers into the life of your congregation.
BEST SUITED FOR: Any Size Congregation
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
 | Recruit friendship partners for new members as soon as you know they are considering becoming regular participants. | ||||||
| Try to match partners with new members on the basis of:
| ||||||
| Provide partners with an outline of responsibilities for new member sponsors. |
OUTLINE OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR NEW MEMBER SPONSORS
Our hope is that sponsors will befriend newcomers and help them move deeply into the life and ministry of our congregation. This process will take about six months. Our primary concern is that the newcomer's spiritual needs and belonging needs are met as fully as possible. Suggested activities include:
| Get acquainted with the newcomer before he/she joins. |
| Give a packet describing church activities, group life, outreach ministries, etc. |
| Pray for your partner—that his/her needs will be met through your church. |
| Attend worship services together—especially the first few weeks. |
| Monitor worship/Sunday school attendance; call after two or three absences. |
| Show hospitality to newcomers in your home, or eat out together. |
| Introduce the newcomers to other members. |
| Help the newcomers find a Sunday school class. |
| Help the newcomers find a small group—for study and for service. |
| Invite the newcomers to a special activity (or find someone else to invite him/her). |
| Encourage the newcomer to be open about misunderstandings, disappointments, disillusionment. |
DO'S AND DON'TS
| DO......encourage partners to stand with the newcomer
the Sunday he/she is officially received into membership. If possible, the
partner should say brief words of introduction related to the new member.
Items to include:
| ||||||||
| DO......keep to the 6-month covenant with partners, if at all possible. | ||||||||
| DO......appoint someone in your congregation to coordinate the appointment of new member friendship partners—and to monitor new member care. | ||||||||
| DO......consider using these same friendship partners as discipling partners for persons who become new believers and/or who actually join your church. |
RESOURCES NEEDED: Active, caring members to serve as partners.
COST: None.
This idea has been used effectively by the Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester, Indiana.
More Ideas That Work