LHM Church and School Resources |
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| Welcome New Neighbors to Your Community Systematically, Effectively |
| March 13, 2007 |
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 Eighteen percent of all Americans move each year. That means in a community of 1,000 people, about 180 of them are new each year. These 180 people represent a significant opportunity for your church to share Christ’s message of hope. Lutheran Hour Ministries has the resources to help you do this.
LHM’s New Neighbor Outreach program provides churches with a systematic method to reach these new neighbors. The program includes a printed planner’s guide and learning DVD, an online tracking system to help you organize your efforts, weekly lists of those new to your area, two starter packs of welcoming postcards, and a planned follow-up process. Initial training and ongoing support is available to congregations by an LHM Congregational Consultant. Support is provided via telephone.
While New Neighbor Outreach provides a solid blueprint for reaching those new to your church’s neighborhood, it also allows your church to incorporate its own creative ideas. Living Christ Lutheran Church in Plainfield, Indiana, began using the program in October 2006.
Assistant Administrator Kim Bohlman wanted to assemble welcome gift bags for each new neighbor, so she went to the four Chambers of Commerce in the area, passed out letters detailing her church’s involvement in the New Neighbor Outreach plan, and asked for items to include in the gift bags. The response was overwhelming; she received pens, pencils, maps, coupons, and other items. Businesses thought it was a great way to introduce themselves to the new families and also saw it as a positive reflection of the community in general. One of the Chamber members even agreed to stuff 130 of the bags so Living Christ only needed to add their greetings.
Living Christ has seen an increase in visitors at their services because of their proactive outreach to the new neighbors. They have even received thank you notes. One note said, “You were the only church to send us a greeting, and we appreciate it.” This type of exposure builds your church’s reputation within the community. Even if visitors don’t join the church right away, they will remember your church’s kindness in the future.
For more information about LHM’s New Neighbor Outreach program, visit www.lhm.org/neighbor/default.htm or send an e-mail to localmedia@lhm.org. At this time, this resource is available only in the United States.
Easter Postcards Available
With Easter just around the corner, many people who aren’t regular churchgoers are more likely to visit a church for this holy day. Many churches involved in LHM’s New Neighbor Outreach program use postcards to invite people to services. This year, LHM is offering churches Easter worship invitations to grab the attention of those who may be looking for a church service to attend on Easter Sunday. Send the first card two weeks before Easter or as desired and follow up with the second postcard one week later.
Churches do not have to participate in LHM’s New Neighbor Outreach program to purchase the postcards. The postcards are available in two designs, each of which allows your church to print their own special information on the cards. The card can be used with New Neighbor Outreach or can be sent using your own mailing list. A pack of 100 costs just $12. The cards are available online at www.shoplhm.org or by calling 1-800-876-9880.
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Order or Print LHM’s Spring Bulletin Insert Now!
LHM’s free quarterly bulletin inserts provide ways for your congregation to share Christ’s message of hope with people in your community and around the world through Lutheran Hour Ministries’ programs and resources.
To print copies of the bulletin insert in English or Spanish now, click here.
To order printed English bulletin inserts each quarter, click here or call 1-800-752-9636. |
Lutheran Hour Ministries is a Christian outreach ministry supporting churches worldwide in its mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. It is also a volunteer movement more than 100,000 people strong. LHM produces Christian radio and TV programming for broadcast, as well as Internet and print communications, dramas, music, and outreach materials, to reach the unchurched in more than 40 countries. LHM’s flagship program, The Lutheran Hour, is the world’s longest-running Christian outreach radio program. It airs weekly on more than 800 stations.
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