My head is blown! I loved this whole video. I see us switching to a similar system in the near future. I especially liked the visitor selecting a charity for a $5 donation. It requires them to act and communicate with the church twice. First, they had to fill out the card and secondly they had to respond to an email to select the charity while it opened up doors for further connection. Keep up the good work. It is very helpful to a small church in a small town wanting to make a huge difference for Jesus.
You nailed it, Mark! The key part is having them ACT and CHOOSE. Invite them into the process to be a partner with you. It's an amazing way to start your relationship with a new person at your church.
I like the idea, especially if the non-profit is local. ie, homeless shelters, pregnacy crisis centers, or what ever local. Or one option being whatever is in the news, earthquakes, flooding for example.
I've spent the past two years trying to find a new church after spending 3 decades in a church. It has been incredibly hard walking into new churches week after week. What I've hated is fake prescripted greetings and ones that treat everyone like an unbeliever or unchurched. What I've wanted is genuine conversation, sound doctrine and a safe place to ask questions. What I mean by that is a visitor is truly free to ask about what the church believes without the pastor or church person becoming defensive. When the average church says that questions are welcome they mean questions like where is the nursery or what time does such and such start...but trying asking a question like - do you believe regeneration precedes Faith, what is your view on eschatology or does this church teach a literal Genesis? If a church is able to answer real questions then the visitor can decide if they want to return. Churches operate like religion social clubs not as the body of Christ coming together under the teaching of Scripture for the equipping and edification of the believer. Visiting churches is a painful and discouraging process!! I am not going to be coherced by gifts, connection cards and fake greetings. This often shows the church is more concerned about numerical growth than in growing disciples.
Just found this and I love the concept of not giving out a physical gift with our logo. To give to an already registered charity or mission is great. I love plugging people in and getting them involved in the church. It's "their" church too!
I just watched this while imagining myself to be an unbeliever considering visiting a church. I feel like I’m a pawn in someone’s Ponzi scheme. Just talk to me like I’m a real person, better yet, just take time to listen to me. It will be a more genuine connection than any disconnected charity donation or McDonald’s happy meal toy will ever bring.
Great point! The most important part of any welcome strategy is to actually be welcoming. Be warm and genuine and actually care about getting to know people. Giving people a gift as a gesture of thanks or donating to a charity of their choosing on their behalf is just giving a little extra. :)
Hey man I’m a staff pastor at a small church in New Mexico, I recently found your CZcams videos and cannot be more excited about implementing as much of the info as I can, I love the idea of giving a donation in their name, as a small town we have several local charities that I believe will benefit, as well as the newcomer connecting with us. Keep up the good work! God bless!
Glad you enjoyed the video! Giving to a charity on behalf of your new visitors is our favourite way of honouring them while giving back to your community. :)
I'll be honest. If I visited a church for the first time, I wouldn't like to be asked to fill out a card with personal information. I'll choose a church when I choose a church. It'll be based solely on the congregants, pastors, the type of service, teachings etc. All that you promote for me would be off putting. If a church is genuinely welcoming by both pastors and congregants, has a thoughtful service that isn't too long and too dry, regimented and lifeless or conversely too hip, trendy and contemporary, then I'll happy return the following week. This is what you need to be emphasising. This entire video sounds like a sales pitch for a real estate business or car dealership.
Completely agree with you that these are gifts! But it is helpful, especially to new visitors who might not yet know the Lord and the value of a relationship with him and his word, to also be welcoming in earthly good ways as a way of showing that we see them and value them and would like them to become part of our community. A community where we very much are focused on the age to come, but also take our role of being representatives now, in community with one another seriously. 😊
It is that is why it is the focus of the entire service.... the scriptures are read, a sermon is preach, altar calls are made, God is worshipped while inviting the visitors and all attendees to worship our creator, yet, because we are all flesh and some may never step foot in the house again, IT IS IMPERITIVE that we have strategies to seek to fellowship with, connect and reach those individuals - connect with them in order to "compel them to come". The church is very good at preaching Jesus but not at all interested in the individuals they are preaching to... that is not love, and that reaches much less people. People return and are drawn to Christ when they see the the Christ-pusher (Church) actually care about them and truly want the best for them in sharing the Gospel through their connection. Not just get a star in their crown for telling someone about Jesus and walking away - or might I say a possible crown, because Christ knows the intention of our hearts. There is absolutely nothing to criticize with this church sharing means to help connect with those we are trying to reach.
I’m very curious. I love the idea of inviting a guest to select a charity of their choice. It’s been a while since this was published, do you still follow this model? Any other videos on creating an awesome first impression with visitors?
Thanks Pastor Brady! Has anyone tried this donation as a gift idea in an urban church? This idea seems a little tone deaf for a church in an impoverished area.
Great insight, Maya. I think you're right that this could come off as insensitive in a lower-income community - which is definitely not something you'd want. Perhaps if there was a non-profit in that community that was deeply respected and loved by the community it could still work - because you would be supporting an organization that everyone loves.
Hey Brady, we've been on Nucleus since the beginning and we're planning to implement this strategy in a couple of weeks. Quick question, I'm wondering about your advice on using Mailchimp. I know it can be setup to tigger an immediate email, which is great, but those emails tend to land in the promotions tab for gmail users...do you have any thoughts on the pros and cons of Mailchimp emails getting a smaller open rate vs. an email that comes a little slower but is triggered manually and therefore feels more personal?
Hi Brady! I so appreciated everything about this follow up plan! I would love to know the rest of your assimilation plan for new guest. Do you suggest a follow up when they visit a second time or something after they have attended for a month?
Robert Drummond Whatever protocol you currently follow for visitor cards I would stick with that! Easy answer is - just stick to the number of forms you get filled out.
Pastor Brady, I have only two question.... how do we know their info won't be sold in a third party through these two apps.? Also how do we approach this if it is and they'd ask? People come to church to feel safe and if their giving us info we need them to trust that process in this area with personal info and or questions they may want to ask. Thanks, Sherry E.
Hey Sherry, both Nucleus and MailChimp have policies that they will never sell or distribute your information elsewhere. And with the installment of GDPR this has become even more strict. You can find more detailed information in the privacy policies of both apps! Hope that helps.
You can leave details in the notes as to whom the gift is from. Obviously the church is the source giver but they'll send whom they want to recognize. that's how I interpreted it as in cases when sending a bank transfer on behalf of someone else.
Why turn it into a dog-and-pony show? Some folks fear getting nagged for money. Others don't want to be nagged to provide contact information. Why not focus on Christ?
That seems to be this guys M/O. I sat down in a small church and the pastor wanted me to fill out one those little cards. I said no thank you. He was taken a back. I put my first and last name on one back in the day of land lines and phone books. I started getting calls from an American Baptist pastor from a church I visited once. Stalker level behavior. Took me trashing the ABC and telling him what I thought of it. Yeah. I will never fill those out. Push me on it I'll walk out and not quietly. How hard is it be decent human beings? Do you need a YT video for that. I don't want anyone donating anything in my name. I would be insulted by such a thing.
@@njspencer79, yes. Too often it'll be such a mockery. I saw many videos of "pastors" who keep discussing how to bring in AND retain more people who become actual church members. It turns religion into a farce.
I think the charities the church choose are a reflection of what that particular ministry may be commissioned to endorse and support. I think having them fill out a card and not following up (which most small to mid level churches do) is more deceptive than anything.
If they don't limit it to particular charities you KNOW that one guy is going to come in and use it to make you donate to the Church of Satan or something ironic like that.
![Modern Church Connection Cards [EXAMPLES]](/img/n.gif)
QUESTION: What part of The Church Welcome Freebie Follow-Up For New Visitors is most exciting to you? LMK below! 👇👇👇👇👇👇
My head is blown! I loved this whole video. I see us switching to a similar system in the near future. I especially liked the visitor selecting a charity for a $5 donation. It requires them to act and communicate with the church twice. First, they had to fill out the card and secondly they had to respond to an email to select the charity while it opened up doors for further connection. Keep up the good work. It is very helpful to a small church in a small town wanting to make a huge difference for Jesus.
You nailed it, Mark! The key part is having them ACT and CHOOSE. Invite them into the process to be a partner with you. It's an amazing way to start your relationship with a new person at your church.
I like the idea, especially if the non-profit is local. ie, homeless shelters, pregnacy crisis centers, or what ever local. Or one option being whatever is in the news, earthquakes, flooding for example.
Maybe a Bible with a included salvation plan within.
I've spent the past two years trying to find a new church after spending 3 decades in a church. It has been incredibly hard walking into new churches week after week. What I've hated is fake prescripted greetings and ones that treat everyone like an unbeliever or unchurched. What I've wanted is genuine conversation, sound doctrine and a safe place to ask questions. What I mean by that is a visitor is truly free to ask about what the church believes without the pastor or church person becoming defensive. When the average church says that questions are welcome they mean questions like where is the nursery or what time does such and such start...but trying asking a question like - do you believe regeneration precedes Faith, what is your view on eschatology or does this church teach a literal Genesis? If a church is able to answer real questions then the visitor can decide if they want to return. Churches operate like religion social clubs not as the body of Christ coming together under the teaching of Scripture for the equipping and edification of the believer. Visiting churches is a painful and discouraging process!! I am not going to be coherced by gifts, connection cards and fake greetings. This often shows the church is more concerned about numerical growth than in growing disciples.
Just found this and I love the concept of not giving out a physical gift with our logo. To give to an already registered charity or mission is great. I love plugging people in and getting them involved in the church. It's "their" church too!
Everyone wants to contribute in meaningful ways 😊
I just watched this while imagining myself to be an unbeliever considering visiting a church. I feel like I’m a pawn in someone’s Ponzi scheme. Just talk to me like I’m a real person, better yet, just take time to listen to me. It will be a more genuine connection than any disconnected charity donation or McDonald’s happy meal toy will ever bring.
Great point! The most important part of any welcome strategy is to actually be welcoming. Be warm and genuine and actually care about getting to know people. Giving people a gift as a gesture of thanks or donating to a charity of their choosing on their behalf is just giving a little extra. :)
Absolutely well stated. This is horrible advice. Can we stop trying to SELL Jesus to people?
This is BRILLIANT! I just finished watching, so grateful for you Brady Shearer!!
Thank you, Debbie! 🙌
Hey man I’m a staff pastor at a small church in New Mexico, I recently found your CZcams videos and cannot be more excited about implementing as much of the info as I can, I love the idea of giving a donation in their name, as a small town we have several local charities that I believe will benefit, as well as the newcomer connecting with us. Keep up the good work! God bless!
Glad you enjoyed the video! Giving to a charity on behalf of your new visitors is our favourite way of honouring them while giving back to your community. :)
I love the idea of the $5 charity donation as a "gift" to our guests. Thanks for sharing these ideas!
So glad you found it helpful!
Love the idea of pledging to a charity for visitors!
I'll be honest. If I visited a church for the first time, I wouldn't like to be asked to fill out a card with personal information. I'll choose a church when I choose a church. It'll be based solely on the congregants, pastors, the type of service, teachings etc. All that you promote for me would be off putting.
If a church is genuinely welcoming by both pastors and congregants, has a thoughtful service that isn't too long and too dry, regimented and lifeless or conversely too hip, trendy and contemporary, then I'll happy return the following week.
This is what you need to be emphasising. This entire video sounds like a sales pitch for a real estate business or car dealership.
Thank U Ps. Brady, the information was really interesting and valuable.
Deepak Avinash Thanks for watching!
Great Information. God Bless
these are amazing ideas. thank you for sharing
Shouldn't the free gift in Church be the reading and preaching of Scripture with emphasis on the even better free gift of salvation?
Completely agree with you that these are gifts! But it is helpful, especially to new visitors who might not yet know the Lord and the value of a relationship with him and his word, to also be welcoming in earthly good ways as a way of showing that we see them and value them and would like them to become part of our community. A community where we very much are focused on the age to come, but also take our role of being representatives now, in community with one another seriously. 😊
Did he say it wasn't?
It is that is why it is the focus of the entire service.... the scriptures are read, a sermon is preach, altar calls are made, God is worshipped while inviting the visitors and all attendees to worship our creator, yet, because we are all flesh and some may never step foot in the house again, IT IS IMPERITIVE that we have strategies to seek to fellowship with, connect and reach those individuals - connect with them in order to "compel them to come". The church is very good at preaching Jesus but not at all interested in the individuals they are preaching to... that is not love, and that reaches much less people. People return and are drawn to Christ when they see the the Christ-pusher (Church) actually care about them and truly want the best for them in sharing the Gospel through their connection. Not just get a star in their crown for telling someone about Jesus and walking away - or might I say a possible crown, because Christ knows the intention of our hearts. There is absolutely nothing to criticize with this church sharing means to help connect with those we are trying to reach.
Awesome ideas!
I’m very curious. I love the idea of inviting a guest to select a charity of their choice. It’s been a while since this was published, do you still follow this model?
Any other videos on creating an awesome first impression with visitors?
Definitely still our recommendation!
Here's another episode we did on visitors: prochurchtools.com/7-ways-churches-make-visitors-feel-uncomfortable/
Thanks Pastor Brady! Has anyone tried this donation as a gift idea in an urban church? This idea seems a little tone deaf for a church in an impoverished area.
Great insight, Maya. I think you're right that this could come off as insensitive in a lower-income community - which is definitely not something you'd want.
Perhaps if there was a non-profit in that community that was deeply respected and loved by the community it could still work - because you would be supporting an organization that everyone loves.
Hey Brady, we've been on Nucleus since the beginning and we're planning to implement this strategy in a couple of weeks. Quick question, I'm wondering about your advice on using Mailchimp. I know it can be setup to tigger an immediate email, which is great, but those emails tend to land in the promotions tab for gmail users...do you have any thoughts on the pros and cons of Mailchimp emails getting a smaller open rate vs. an email that comes a little slower but is triggered manually and therefore feels more personal?
Hi Brady! I so appreciated everything about this follow up plan! I would love to know the rest of your assimilation plan for new guest. Do you suggest a follow up when they visit a second time or something after they have attended for a month?
they are human being it would be best if you just treat them like you want to be treated and talk to them say hi and build a friendship
This is great. If couples or families come, do you enter each person seperately? Do you send the donation email to each person?
Robert Drummond Whatever protocol you currently follow for visitor cards I would stick with that!
Easy answer is - just stick to the number of forms you get filled out.
Pastor Brady, I have only two question.... how do we know their info won't be sold in a third party through these two apps.? Also how do we approach this if it is and they'd ask? People come to church to feel safe and if their giving us info we need them to trust that process in this area with personal info and or questions they may want to ask. Thanks, Sherry E.
Hey Sherry, both Nucleus and MailChimp have policies that they will never sell or distribute your information elsewhere. And with the installment of GDPR this has become even more strict. You can find more detailed information in the privacy policies of both apps! Hope that helps.
Thanks Pastor Brady
Where can I get a Bobble Head of the Pastor made?
What if the Church does not approve of the 'charity' selected by the Church Visitor? $5 towards planned parenthood may not work.
That’s why I talk about pre-selecting five or so and asking the new visitor to choose their preference.
Can Nucleus be integrated with an existing church website?
This is a great question for our support team! You can reach them at hello@nucleus.church 😊
How do you donate "immediately" to the charities on behalf of someone else?
Run very fast
You can leave details in the notes as to whom the gift is from. Obviously the church is the source giver but they'll send whom they want to recognize. that's how I interpreted it as in cases when sending a bank transfer on behalf of someone else.
Why turn it into a dog-and-pony show? Some folks fear getting nagged for money. Others don't want to be nagged to provide contact information. Why not focus on Christ?
That seems to be this guys M/O. I sat down in a small church and the pastor wanted me to fill out one those little cards. I said no thank you. He was taken a back. I put my first and last name on one back in the day of land lines and phone books. I started getting calls from an American Baptist pastor from a church I visited once. Stalker level behavior. Took me trashing the ABC and telling him what I thought of it. Yeah. I will never fill those out. Push me on it I'll walk out and not quietly. How hard is it be decent human beings? Do you need a YT video for that. I don't want anyone donating anything in my name. I would be insulted by such a thing.
@@njspencer79, yes. Too often it'll be such a mockery. I saw many videos of "pastors" who keep discussing how to bring in AND retain more people who become actual church members. It turns religion into a farce.
just go up to a stranger thats a newby and bloody well talk to them!!! not hard....WWJD seriously....hello
It feels a bit deceptive to say charity of your choice when it's really a list of our choices. I would be turned off by that. Am I the only one?
I think the charities the church choose are a reflection of what that particular ministry may be commissioned to endorse and support.
I think having them fill out a card and not following up (which most small to mid level churches do) is more deceptive than anything.
If they don't limit it to particular charities you KNOW that one guy is going to come in and use it to make you donate to the Church of Satan or something ironic like that.