9 Ways to Introduce Clubbers/Families to Church
The very first funeral my husband (a pastor) ever did was for a clubber who attended Awana at our church. When the family faced the tragedy of the child’s death, they didn’t know where to turn. Not being a family who attended church, they put down “Awana” when filling out the form at the funeral home. The funeral director traced “Awana” back to our church.
Most clubs have children/teens in their Awana programs who have no idea what it’s like to attend church, much less to be part of a church family.
Our goal, of course, is not to get families who attend other churches to switch to ours, but rather to welcome those families who have no church home.
We do this with much love and kindness.
1. Introduce parents to as many people as possible. Sophie’s mom drops off Sophie while you’re standing in the hall with a couple co-leaders. You’ve met Sophie’s mom, but they haven’t. Introducing her to others from your church will help her feel comfortable when invited to events or services.
2. Do you have a parents’ night at the beginning of the year? Why not include a church “tour” in the program? Work out a tour that will introduce parents to other areas of the church without coming on too strong. “This is our nursery. All our nursery workers have a background check and a list of medical personel who attend our church and are on call.” “This is where our Thursday morning ladies’ Bible study meets. I think the ladies especially enjoy the donuts and coffee.” “This is our auditorium. All are welcome to join us for our services.” Train some leaders/church parents to be tour guides.
3. Look for events at your church that may interest your Awana parents. “Megan, you said last week that parenting can be hard work. Here’s a flyer about our upcoming parenting seminar. I’ve heard this couple speak before and they are great … and very funny.” “Chet, I know you like to golf. Would you like to go on our men’s golf outing with me?” “Anisha, we’ve talked about you moving here from India. We’re having a special speaker from India at church Sunday morning. Would you like to come? I can meet you at the door and sit with you.”
4. Plan two or three Large Group lessons on what church is all about. Explain to the kids the difference between the Church (the body of Christ) and the building (where you are sitting).
5. Invite kids to be part of the church service (with a parent’s permission, of course). Team up Awana kids with ushers to pass out bulletins/worship folders. Or make them part of the clean-up crew that goes through the pews after church, collecting empty communion cups, dropped bulletins, candy wrappers, etc. Or, have the kids sing a song that they’ve learned at Awana.
6. Invite the pastor to come to club and explain his job. First, ask the kids what they think he does all week. Their answers will probably make you smile, but this is a great opportunity to let them know the truth.
7. Ask leaders to be alert to any life events in a child’s life: a death in the family, a new baby, a move. Could a couple leaders show up at the funeral home to represent the church? Could a couple leaders deliver a small gift from the church to the new baby? Can you get together with the parents and ask if they’d be interested in finding an Awana program in their new town? Could a couple leaders visit the dad who is in the hospital for major surgery?
8. Keep a supply of current bulletins/worship folders on a table or rack where parents wait to get the kids. Post a sign. “Curious about what happens at our church when it’s not Awana night? Take one.”
9. Make it about them – not about you and the church. Sometimes when encouraging families to visit our church services, we focus so much on us and our church, that we forget to take an interest in them. We need to get to know who they are.
