In this session, I’m joined by the Rev. Dr. Debra W. Haffner, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, Virginia.
We discuss her congregation’s incredible membership growth — 101 new members over the last 2 years!
Many of the strategies they use are ones your congregation can implement.
Rev. Debra says that if they can do it, you can do it!
Here are a few highlights:
• They use a SIMPLE COMMUNICATION CARD to collect name and email of visitors, as well as a few other details.
• The week after a person visits and fills out a communication card, a PRINTED NAME TAG (blue for newcomers) is waiting for them.
• The minister greets people outside the sanctuary and strives to GREET NEWCOMERS BY NAME by their third visit.
• There is a MONTHLY COFFEE WITH THE MINISTER following the service for visitors and newcomers. Instead of a more substantial orientation twice per year, they’ve shifted to monthly Coffee with the Minister events with these promoted throughout the month.
There are many other things they do to streamline the path to membership. Watch the video to get those details, including how they approach pledging.
Please share this with your staff, membership committee, and any leaders interested in membership growth.
Have related ideas, strategies, or success stories? I’d love to hear from you.
Related Links:
UU Reston website
http://www.uureston.org
About the Rev. Dr. Debra Haffner
http://www.uureston.org/minister/
Rev. Dr. Debra Haffner’s books on Amazon
https://amzn.to/2D2nEYw
Recorded Oct 31, 2018 via Facebook live in my UU PLANET Facebook group for UU religious professions, staff and lay leaders.
UU PLANET 