Events help increase worship attendance

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“We all need to be more aware that just because we have a smile on our face and we shake someone’s hand, it doesn’t mean we’re welcoming. It’s about how we can walk in someone else’s shoes and enter into their world to invite them into ours.”
Mann attributed the church’s tripled number of visitors during September to Open House Month special events and training for welcoming congregation status. Members follow up with letters and gifts to everyone who visits the church.
To close out Open House Month and remind members to continue thinking about welcoming, Mann planned to hand out pocket New Testaments Sunday. He said he would tell members and visitors to read the books in public or give them away.
The Rev. Colleen Haley, associate pastor at Fredericksburg UMC, said leaders there focused on the FRAN plan—inviting a Friend, Relative, Associate or Neighbor—this year. The church hosted a ministry fair during one special event.
“Visitors could go through the ministry fair and see what we’re about—and sign up to be a part,” Haley said.
Fredericksburg United Methodists distributed about 800 bottles of water at the county fair parade in late August, she added. The bottles had stickers with information about service times at the church.
After the county parade, the church’s Labor Day attendance was higher than it’s ever been, Haley said.
“Our focus and goal is not really to attract new members but to raise up the name of Jesus Christ and reach out to people,” Haley said. “Even if they don’t find a church home with us, we’re keeping the name of Jesus out there all the time.”
Haley said participating in Open House Month activities helped the 1,059 members become more aware of their community—and vice versa.
“It shows that the church is bigger than its building,” she said. “It makes the community aware that there is a United Methodist presence, and if they’re thinking of a church, they might think of us. We’ll answer that call for hospitality.”
First UMC, Sonora, recognized Sunday school and public teachers during worship Sept. 16. Following the service, the education and kitchen committees played host to a “Bronco Burger” lunch on the lawn.
Linda Fisher, church administrator, said the 236-member congregation has been recognizing the public school and Sunday school teachers for years.
“It’s a nice pat on the back,” said Fisher, who is a Sunday school teacher. “It’s a thank you for doing a good job.”
She said leaders planned for about 100 to attend the event.
First UMC, Cedar Park, made September “Bring a Friend Month.” Church leaders encouraged members to invite their friends or neighbors to church.
People bringing the most visitors during the month were to be recognized Sunday, said Barbara Nabhan, chairman of the membership, care and outreach committee.
The 190-member congregation had a Scout recognition potluck dinner and a new member Sunday with acolyte recognition earlier this month. Sept. 23 was the church’s ice cream social.
Nabhan said Open House Month activities allowed members to socialize with visitors.
First UMC, Johnson City, had a Sunday school kickoff to “get people back into it,” said the Rev. Judy Baskin, pastor. The church also played host to an ice cream social.
And members “mugged” first-time visitors, Baskin added. They handed out ceramic coffee mugs filled with information about the church, a newsletter and an Open House Month brochure.
Baskin said the 400-member congregation had always been a hub for community events. Many nonmembers attended weekly Bible studies or special training events, like Financial Peace University. The local Lions Club and other community groups meet at the church.
“We seem to be the church in the community that does this kind of thing,” Baskin said. “We’re out there trying to be the church in this place. The church is open for community events.”
The Rev. John Alsbrooks, pastor of First UMC, Refugio, said his 190-member congregation made Sept. 16 “Bring a Friend Sunday” and “broke all modern records” with attendance at 140. The service had 20 first-time visitors and many members returning who had not been in a while.
That evening the church played host to a gospel concert. It attracted 13 first-time visitors. More than 100 stayed for the covered-dish dinner.
“This was a real boost for our people to see what a little publicity and personal invitations will do,” Alsbrooks said.