Visitor Training

Ted Mollegen

Outline

• Definition & Examples of Stewardship• Different Approaches for the Annual

Appeal• Visitation is By Far the Best• The Basic Steps• Do’s and Don’ts• References/Links• Q&A

What is a Steward?

A Steward is someone who is in charge of something that doesn’t belong to that person.

Examples:– Captain of an ocean liner– Shift manager at McDonald’s – Parents– Our bodies

Jesus taught that we are stewards of God’s world.

Foundational Ideas & Principles

•You are helping people get into a better relationship with their God! This is deeply satisfying work!• People have a need to give• Talk straight about money. Money is important – don’t trivialize it.• Keep the congregation informed – especially when there’s good news or bad news• Be up-front about the fact that the visitation is about both people and money• The biggest pledge increases come from the callers, not the callees. Don’t minimize the number of callers.• In today’s world, it’s almost impossible to over-communicate. Don’t be afraid to be a little repetitious.

Different Approaches to the Annual Appeal

• Every Member Visitation− 1/4 of congregation visits the other 3/4

• House Groups

• Celebration/Thankfulness Dinner

• Proprietary Processes, e.g.,– Pony Express– Consecration Sunday

• Only Sermon(s) and/or Letter(s) – irresponsible!

Three Sunday Topics and Three Mailings

• Theological (see websites for ideas)

• Proportional Giving/Tithing− % giving table

− Think % of Income

− Pick a target, then build up to it

− What to count is up to you

• Budget/Financial– Current year budget status

– “Wish list” budget– Enclose pledge card & opaque envelope

Visitor Questions ( on a form)

• Name/address/phone number of callee(s)• What do you like most about this church?• Is there anything you would like to see changed?• What would you like to do to help in our

ministries?• Do you have any questions?• Do you have any messages for the Rector/Vicar?• Name of caller & caller’s comments (fill out

comments after you leave)

Caller Do’s

• Make appointments one hour apart, for a nominal half-hour-ish visit

• If people don’t want a home visit, meet them somewhere else, or – as a last resort -- have the visit over the phone

• Be prepared to talk for up to 30 minutes of “air time,” but try to have your callees talk at least 75% of the scheduled half hour

• Let the conversation go on for up to 45 minutes, if that seems appropriate, but no more than 45 minutes

• Don’t make notes on the form until after you’ve left

Caller Do’s (Cont’d)

• Have some “ice-breaker” lines

– “Are you all long-time Episcopalians/members of this church/Connecticut people?”

– “How did the two of you meet?”

• “Hi, I’m John Doe, your designated visitor for Trinity Church’s Every Member Visitation. I’d like to make an appointment for about a half an hour on Visitation Sunday. Would that be OK?”

• “Well, how about some evening or on Saturday of the next week?”

Caller Don’ts

• Don’t pressure people -- about anything

• Don’t try to solve pastoral problems – report them to

the Rector!

• Don’t forget to thank the people you visit

• Don’t call only on those who don’t turn in their

cards

• Don’t make any commitments you can’t keep

yourself

Leader Do’s

• Train callees as well as callers

• Maintain confidentiality

• Have callers make their own pledges before starting to make calls

• Let givers give in any way they want (quarterly, once/year, etc.)

• Root out misconceptions

• Give newcomers a pledge card in their first couple of weeks

• Have a pizza supper and reporting at 6:00 pm on Visiting Day – the reports give a great overview of where the congregation “is at!”

Appendix

• Additional stewardship information may be found on: – Ted’s stewardship web site at http://members.aol.com/stewdship

especially the FREE downloadable pamphlet. “Hints and Tips…”

– the web site of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) at http://TENS.org.

• Related information for parish leaders may be found at:– The Episcopal Network for Evangelism (ENE)

http://members.aol.com/ene2020– Evangelism and Mission Resources –

http://members.aol.com/mssnevan

Q & A