Develop an Environment for Outreach and Ministry

Written by Richard E. Dodge

One of the most exciting parts of leading Sunday School training conferences has been listening to the results of group assignments. One group report during a National Sunday School Leadership Conference event, stood out as unusually creative. The report given by Crystal Hicks, from First Baptist Church, McAlister, Oklahoma, and Regina Hargrove, from First Baptist Church East, Lawton, Oklahoma, provided tips that can help leaders of Adult Bible Study Groups in general.

Their assignment was to create a list of ways to make their Bible study group more outreach and ministry sensitive. Here are their 10 suggestions:

Have designated greeters at the door each week. If someone comes for the first time, the greeter should take the newcomer under wing, guiding the newcomer through the different activities of the Bible study experience. The greeter would make sure the newcomer is registered either as a guest or a new member, and would provide appropriate materials and directions throughout the experience. Once a greeter becomes busy with a newcomer, another person steps up to greet anyone else who comes.

Have registration forms and sharpened pencils available before the session begins. Make sure all appropriate information is recorded on the forms when a newcomer is registered. Always invite the newcomer to enroll in the class, too.

Have name tags for everyone each week. Everyone needs to know the names of others in the class. The newcomer needs to know the names of others just as much as members need to know the name of the newcomer.

Be sure there always is at least one empty chair in the room. If the class is coeducational, make sure there are two chairs in case a new couple is brought to the class. If newcomers are brought and the chairs all become filled, have someone find additional chairs to set out in case other newcomers arrive.

Provide food and beverages before the session. Snacks and beverages provide a great opportunity for informal visiting and sharing information.

Play age-appropriate music in the background as people arrive. This helps create a relaxed atmosphere.

Make sure materials posted on the walls are appropriate to the lesson and unit being studied. Avoid materials that are not related to the content of the lesson or unit.

Write prayer needs on a marker board or chalkboard and leave these posted for the coming weeks. Be sure prayer needs are current. Also, write answers to prayers on the board beside the names of people listed if appropriate. Call attention to these prayer needs so newcomers can share in the prayer ministry of your Bible study group.

Ask the outreach-evangelism leader to photocopy information gathered from newcomers and provide this information to someone for immediate follow-up. Outreach-evangelism leaders should enlist a particular member, provide information, and ask for a report in the next session. Ask that the newcomer be contacted as soon as possible, preferably within 48 hours of their visit.

Be certain your Bible study leader's name, telephone number, and email address are visible for all members and newcomers to see. These can be written on the chalkboard, marker board or a large sheet of paper, or can be written on Learner Guides or other materials given to newcomers when they attend.

Someone once said that people don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care. Creating a class in which these 10 actions are essentials will tell newcomers and members that they are important and that you care. Take steps this month to get ready for possible newcomers who might have moved into your community. Make a great first impression on newcomers. That’s the best way to see them return.

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