Back to Church Sunday Scottish Training Day

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Back to Church Sunday Scottish Training Day
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2007 Impact

• Nearly 2000 churches took part in 2007
• Nearly 20000 people came back to church
• Thousands of church members were mobilised to
  invite a friend to church
• Over 77 of ministers surveyed felt their
  congregation felt encouraged to invite their
  friends
• 9 out 10 people said theyd come again

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B2CS in Lichfield 5 months on

• Sample
  Grossed Up
• Returnees 30/9/07 2511 6000
• Regulars 29/2/08 381
  900
• Still in touch 29/2 1253
  3000
• Lost touch with 877
  2100
• Number of churches 123 352

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B2CS in Lichfield 5 months on

• 15 of returnees are regular attenders
• Or 12 without one church
• 50 are still in touch (eg came at Christmas, or
  to another special event)
• 35 have lost touch the church probably does
  not know their names

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• Personal Invitation works better than mailings
• Newcomers are especially attracted to the idea of
  coming to church when there are likely to be
  other newcomers there
• Some churches need to develop their skills in
  invitation and welcome. This is best delivered in
  Welcome Workshop format

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• The concept works best when the congregation in
  the run up are wholeheartedly engaged in the
  idea. In the runup to the day everyone is
  encouraged to think and pray about a friend to
  invite
• Some returners worry that they will be signed up
  for tasks in church. They just want to be at
  first

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• What does success look like? Not a target, not a
  line on a graph, not a trend, but a person,
  success is one.

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• 1st Sunday in September
• The day to start inviting
• Make room to pray, to think and to listen to
  stories from people who came to church after
  being invited by a friend

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• Talk about Back to Church Sunday again
• 2nd 3rd Sunday in September

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• Communications
• September
• Arrange local radio slots
• Press launch
• Enlist local reporters to gather stories and
  pictures

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• Sunday September 28th
• Enjoy the day

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• After B2CS
• Gather stories
• Thank everyone
• Report back to Lindsey
• Encourage follow up courses, events, and invites
  to the homes of Christians

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• Whats in your packLarge Back to Church Pack
  405 Back to Church Sunday T-shirts10 Dated
  Posters 8 x A4 and 2 x A3100 Invitation/Prayer/F
  riendly Feedback Cards20 Pens50 Red
  Balloons100 Gift PostcardsSmall Back to Church
  Pack 2510 Dated Posters 8 x A4 and 2 x A3100
  Invitation/Prayer/Friendly Feedback Cards20
  Pens50 Red Balloons100 Gift Postcards

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• The dream 1million Christians inviting
• 1 million friends Back to Church in one day!

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• Questions