16 Simple Ideas for Making Contacts

Written by Marie Clark

Many adult class leaders and teachers struggle to develop intentional plans for evangelism, ministry and accountability for their classes. They want to reach out, but they really aren’t sure how to proceed. On the surface, making regular contacts through calls, cards, and email seems simple. It isn’t.

I-6 Sunday School Book

Leaders at Nall Avenue Baptist Church, in Prairie Village, Kansas, have developed a list of methods by which they contact people who have attended or joined their groups. Here is a list of the ideas offered by Nall Avenue workers as ways to communicate genuine love and concern to those who not only have stopped attending or missed a few Bible study sessions, but also support and affirm those who do attend regularly.   

• Time change reminder - Call on the Saturday of time changes to remind folk to change their clocks.
• Bible study topic - Highlight the topic for an upcoming Bible study session.
• Ask for prayer requests - Ask how you and others in the class can pray for individuals you contact. Pray together on the phone, too.
• Special events - Invite people to participate with you in special events at the church.
• Happy birthday - Call to wish someone a happy birthday . . . or any other special event in their lives.
• Congratulations - Communicate with folk about personal or family accomplishments.
• Health concerns - When someone - or someone in their family - has a health problem, offer to help with any details.
• Offer help - Health concerns are just one area in which help can be needed. Offer help - whether yours or someone else’s—for any kind of need that has been identified.
• Invitation - Invite someone to a class party or fellowship.
• Service project - Invite prospects and members alike to participate in ministry and service projects.
• Share news about your church - Some people like to get involved in good things that are happening. Talk about the good things happening in your church and invite others to participate in these.
• Request e-mail addresses - Develop a plan for a class member to maintain regular contact via email with all members and prospects. NOTE: check with potential recipients to be sure they are willing to receive the emails.
• Give a person a job - Enlist members and prospects to perform certain one-time tasks, such as bringing snacks for a fellowship or to help set up the room.
• Thank you notes - Send notes to people that express appreciation for tasks done well, regardless of the size of the task.
• Appreciation notes - These are simply notes that let people know you appreciate them for who they are and what they mean to you, your class, and your church.
• You were missed - Send notes or make calls to people who have been absent, letting them know they were missed. Let them know they are valued.

Using a variety of reasons for making contacts helps communicate genuine care and concern. Multiple contacts becomes easier when each contact has a specific purpose. When we focus on the individual rather than merely making contact with people, our message of care and concern is more likely to be heard and responded to in favorable ways.