WALLACE SC&W Member Care/Contact   Communication is a vital need in congregations. There is a need to keep people in the loop with activities in the church, there is the need to share hurts and joys of those in the community, there is a need for members to feel like the church is interested in them and there are announcements and changes that need to be relayed as soon as possible. Here are three avenues to communicate with the congregation:   1. Group E-Mail: send out short, weekly emails to members with information on surgeries, illnesses,       events and such.  These can be sent out quickly to update members as changes are made with programs    or schedules or as concerns/joys arise for members.  Some issues to be considered with this effort     include: a. keep these short (if a devotional is done keep it one-three paragraphs) so that people can review     them quickly and information doesn’t get lost in a bunch of material. b. get on the ‘white lists’ for email services so that your efforts aren’t blocked or your email     provider doesn’t cancel your service. c. consider posting copies of the emails in the church so that members without email can see what     is being sent and they are included in the information sharing. d. be sure to clear the information being sent about a member with that member (or family) before     sharing it with everyone.   2. Tele-Care: a program where every member family of the congregation is contacted by phone once     every three months. During the phoning elders and other members are formed into prayer groups to     pray for the congregation and any specific requests that arise in the phone calls.  Both the phoning     team and praying team are on site for the 2 hours to call families (four callers can contact around     70 family units in these two hours---we have created 3 full teams with each calling once/3 months).     Evenings begin with a sharing of concerns, joys and information about the church (so they can answer     questions if they arise) and prayer.   Prayer crosses are used by each of the callers (held by elders at the     beginning prayer time and then given to callers and set by them as they call) as a reminder of who it is     that we are serving.  It is vital that there be strict confidentiality with the calling team, that information     is communicated to the appropriate staff members (contact sheets for each family unit are used to keep     track of contacts and shared prayer needs), and that the purpose of the call is to show care for the     member (it isn’t to recruit, sell a program, etc.).   3. Absentee Follow-Up: this program is a systematic way to follow members in worship.  After 3-5 weeks     of absence a card is sent recognizing that they haven’t been present (“We missed you and hope you     are all right”).  If there is a particular issue a call might be made instead of a card being sent.  An excel     worksheet is kept of members attendance and contacts made.  A sign in system is needed which     preferably obtain name and date but also any prayer needs, questions or areas of desired service.  A     person(s) regular in worship and familiar with most members who can watch for those who may be     present but not signing in is also helpful to identify those who aren’t present.  After 7-9 weeks of non-     attendance a call is made by a trained staff, Elder or ministry team member.      If you are interested in finding out more about any of these programs or would like help in developing them for your congregation please contact me at steve@wallaceresources.us                                                                                                                                       12/31/07