An idea for flea markets, farmers markets and fairs

An idea for flea markets, farmers markets and fairs.

Fundraisers for a school or children’s charity

If you are raising money for a school you adopted or a local children’s charity then this is a good place to do it. There are many ways to do this. If the children are selling something your rent the space and provide the awning and let the children sell. Be sure you have s good sign for your church and people available to talk with the people who stop by.

You can have a raffle. Get local businesses to give prizes for the raffle. Have all of the items on display. Try to have at least one very nice prize. Include very clear signage for what the raffle is for. Make sure that it is clear that your church is sponsoring the raffle for the charity. Have larger raffle tickets so that it is easy for them to write their name your half of the ticket and room on their half that states that the raffle is sponsored by your church. Have a specific time at the end of the event that the tickets are drawn. Provide the school or charity with a supply of raffle tickets to sell. Since every ticket has your church info on it is brings not only more exposure to your church but raises money for the school or charity. Be sure to send a press release to your local papers telling of the success of the event. 
http://community-outreach.com/

Crafts or presentations for kids at fairs

Crafts or presentations for kids at fairs, farmers markets and swap meets

The one thing I have seen many Christian groups do at fairs is to relate to the children and their families. This is done by providing something that the children are interested in. Most of the time this they accomplish this by having several very fun and quick crafts for the children to do. Sometimes they bring in police or firemen to do a presentation on safety or to bring their police dogs. You can also provide carnival games and prizes. 

Face painting is always a hit with the kids. So is passing out helium balloons with your church name on them works well with them also. 

When church growth is a failure

When Success is Failure

Two of the churches I help plant grew from a small group of 30 to fifty people to over 150 in a little over a year. Most church leaders would consider that as successful. I look at it as two of the worst failures of my career. While the churches grew fast not one person from the unchurched community was saved. Our Father calls us to reach the lost. If we are not the we are failing at the mission he gave us.

Coffe bar

Jason Carson shared this idea with me in March 2013

Our church owns an old laundromat building that is currently being used for storage. It has access to all utilities. It is around 800 square feet. My dream is to do something like what you have mentioned here: a self serve coffee bar, maybe have it open in the mornings and after school, maybe special events on Friday/Saturday nights. We are located in rural small town Mississippi. There is no coffee shop here, so this would be something unique.

I haven't tried to figure any cost estimates, but I see it as an outreach. Now I just have to sell this dream with our leadership...

Helping shut the back door.

One of the biggest problems in church growth is the back door. People slip out of it as fast as people are coming in the front. If we can cut that number in half most churches would seen noticeable if not significant growth. There is a tool that can help correct this problem and make your church a better place at the same time. It is called taking exit surveys. I have included a link to part of a chapter on exit surveys on Dynamic Community Outreach. 

Do not let the name exit survey through you because it is used in business and sometimes improperly you can customize it to fit your ministry situation. 

For more information about exit surveys  

http://community-outreach.com/images/church-exit-survey.html

Summer Outreach Alternative

Brian Harrell shared this with me

We take 8 Wednesday's during the summer and instead of meeting at church, we haul out grills and coolers and host a community picnic in a parking lot in the middle of the worst part of our neighborhood. Typically anywhere from 200 - 500 show up for free hot dogs and hamburgers. In 8 years we have never been rained out or run out of food! We use this time as a way to build bridges into peoples lives; people who would never step foot into our church.

Here is an alternate to sending a form letter to visitors that has great success

Instead of sending a form letter to visitors some churches are finding success at sending out a newsletter for four weeks. These are usually one page front and back. Each newsletter has a short general interest article, a thank you again for visiting, nightlight of one or more ministries and a word of encouragement from the pastor. Many also mention a monthly get to know the staff desert where they can come with others and meet the leaders of the church and ask questions that they may have.

From "Dynamic Community Outreach"