Body: | Gospel Meetings
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The fabulous congregational letter writing campaign
What works and what doesn't
Gospel meetings are a long-standing tradition in the church. And I might
add, a good one. But, are we being as effective as we could be with them as
a method of outreach? We have all heard stories of how old brother so and
so would baptize 50-100 people every meeting. Those times are gone for a
number of reasons. Today, we are lucky if we get one visitor from the
community, let alone baptize anyone. When someone asks how many visitors
there were at a gospel meeting, the usual answer refers to the number of
Christians visiting from other churches. We don't even think in terms of
non-Christian visitors any more.
We have two choices. We can view the meetings strictly as a time for
edifying the saints and close the doors to the public, or we can change our
approach to effectively reach non-Christians again.
In a recent gospel meeting in which I was involved, we mailed 1900
invitations, placed 1800 on windshields of cars, mailed about 110 to
correspondence course students, placed a one-eighth page ad in the
news-paper, and had a reporter do a news release on our meeting.
Also, we had three personal column ads and a newspaper community calendar
notice each evening the meeting ran, public-service announcements on three
radio stations, and 110 posters displayed at the university and around
town. We had a rented four- by eight-foot lighted message board on the
church property. What was the result of all this effort and money spent?
Only one visitor! (A strong Pentecostal type person responded from the
mailing.) It is obvious that traditional methods of advertising do not draw
many visitors out to our meetings. Should we give up on meetings? What we
need is the personal touch!
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The congregational Letter writing campaign
I learned of a couple of churches who had gospel meetings that had many
non-Christian visitors. When I inquired of each, I discovered a common
approach. Here is the way I would describe the method. Each member compiles
a list of five to ten non-Christian friends, neighbors, work mates, family,
etc. The week before the meeting begins they send a handwritten letter (no
typewriters, etc.) to each person on the list. Give each member a copy of a
form letter to use as a guide. For an example of a form letter, see the
inset.
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The members' personal letters are followed by personal letters from the
local evangelist on the church's stationery. A computer is of great help in
generating the 100 to 500 personalized letters. The letter from the
evangelist should arrive about 2 days before the meeting begins. On the day
before the meeting, each member phones their contacts and personally
invites them to attend.
Each member who commits to participate should have at least five good
prospects. The results should be that every Christian who participates will
have one visitor attend some night of the meeting. The meeting I was
involved in had 19 non-Christian visitors. About eight of these were from
the letter-writing campaign. I have known of churches to have 40 visitors
at a meeting. The costs are for a little postage and envelopes. That is
less than one ad in the newspaper! But, in order for the meeting to be
successful, there must be a personal effort put forth by the majority of
the church.
Since the meetings are for non-Christians, create a marketable title for
the gospel meeting. Rather than calling it a gospel meeting, describe it as
A Seminar On The Family or Coping In Today's World. Long before the
meeting, get the preacher to specify the lessons he will preach each night.
Be equally creative with the sermon titles.
Sample letter:
INSTRUCTIONS:
1, First complete the attached information list of people.
2. Write this letter by hand in ink on a paper or card of your choice.
3. Change or adapt it as you see fit.
4. Be personal where ever possible, remember this is personal letter from
you.
5. Re-read each letter for flow and appropriateness.
6. Put letter in envelope of your choice. Address, and return address it.
7. Bring letters back as soon as possible.
8. We will add postage and mail all letters together on the predetermined
day.
9. If you have any questions just phone.
====sample letter begin =====
20 February 1988
Dear xx,
When good things happen I/we like to share them with others.
On March 12-16, 1988 Mr. and Mrs. Norman of Alabama will be visiting my/our
church to present ~ special series of Bible lessons on the family. The
series is called, "Seminar On The Family". As it says on the brochure, this
seminar will
(IF MARRIED: "improve an already great marriage or provide Bible medicine
for hurting homes".) (IF SINGLE: provide "practical advice before you
marry". Often people don't give marriage and family life much thought until
after their wedding day. They will give more thought to choosing a car than
they do to choosing a lifetime marriage partner!) (IF SINGLE PARENT:
provide 'Bible answers to the every day struggles" between a mother/father
and his/her children. Raising kids all alone is a tough Job )
(End the paragraph with the following) There are separate classes for the
ladies and the men. I/We expect to benefit from this series and hope that
you will too. For this reason I/we wanted to share it with you.
xx, please accept my/our personal invitation to attend one or all the
lessons in the seminar at my/our church. I/We have enclosed a brochure
which explains the "Seminar On The Family" in more detail. Look forward to
seeing you there!
Sincerely,
=====sample letter end =====
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Basic timetable for letter-writing campaign
4 weeks before meeting:
Hand out a page to every member and ask them to fill in as many people as
they can think of to invite to the meeting. This page is handed into the
minister who copies it then returns is to each member.
2 weeks before the meeting:
Members hand write each letter to their prospective visitors for the
meeting
1 week before the meeting starts:
Minister sends personal computerized form letter to each one the member
hand wrote a letter to.
Day before meeting starts:
Member personally phones each one up and verbally invites them.
Circle of 200 search form:
Congregational Gospel meeting invitation Helper:
Identify as many as you can in each category for the letter writing
campaign
School Mates
Neighbours
Work Mates
Close Friends
Family With New Baby
New Residents
Relatives
Acquaintances
Hobby/Sports
Store Clerks
Club/Charitys
Denominational Friends
A different way to invite someone to a meeting:
Buy some "bond certificates" with fancy coloured borders from any office
supply store and run them through your lazer printer with this custom
printed on it: Use a "marriage or old english font:
This is to certify that
Bill Ruttle
has been officially invited to attend
with non-denominational Christians
who meet at 33 Highcliffe Ave Hamilton, Ontario
Sundays 10 AM
By Steve Rudd: 575-8437
1 December 1993
Steve Rudd
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