How were The 4 Laws of Effective Outreach developed?
Why should our church be applying the 4 Laws of Effective Outreach?
What ARE The 4 Laws of Effective Outreach?
What do you teach at the Outreach Seminar?
Just as in the laws of aero-dynamics, or the laws of gravity - if any element is not present, the entire process fails. The 4 Laws of Effective Outreach only work when they are applied together and consistently. Referring to them as "principles" or "steps" would set you up to fail - it’s easy to only do one and not the other.
LISTEN TO AN AUDIO CLIP THAT EXPLAINS THIS
Outreach has worked with thousands of churches in developing effective outreach into their communities. We've discovered distinctive patterns among churches that are experiencing consistent growth and outreach effectiveness. These patterns show a natural progression that is grounded in Christ's mandate to reach out.
These churches:
An understanding and application of these patterns led to the creation of The 4 Laws of Effective Outreach.
Churches start with a passion to reach people for Christ. But over time, many churches drift from an outreach-oriented mission and lose their outreach identity. An inward focus and church decline soon follow. The result is Christ's compelling message is muted and churches fail to impact their communities.
80% of America's churches are not growing. The 4 Laws of Effective Outreach can help!
Overall, the attendance at churches in the US is in decline. According to the Barna Research Group, the median number of adult church attenders continues to decline.
Warning Signs of Ineffective Outreach:
- Flat or declining attendance
- Few people coming to Christ
- Few new visitors
- Member's don't bring their friends
- Ineffective advertising results
- Aging membership
- Visitors don' return
- Bored or uninvolved attenders
- Little or no community impact
Yet, we hear stories every day of churches that are not only growing, but thriving! They're experiencing dramatic increases in attendance and many people are coming to Christ. These churches have discovered how to consistently apply The 4 Laws of Effective Outreach.
Law 1: Create an Identity for OutreachEffective outreach begins by establishing an outreach identity at the heart of your church, including an outreach-oriented mission statement, a faith-filled vision and a vibrant logo designed to convey your identity. LISTEN TO AUDIO CLIP ON LAW 1
Tools to help you create your outreach identity:
Logos: Your logo is a key element of expressing who you "are" as a church. It is also part of your overall image in the local community and to potential new visitors. Let Outreach help you create a logo with impact. Choose from one of the many semi-custom logo designs available.
Horizontal Outdoor Banners: Durable vinyl banners come ready to hang outside your church. Choose from hundreds of designs.
Law 2: Attract Visitors by Communicating your IdentityPeople are attracted to your church when you communicate your identity in a compelling way. Your outreach efforts need to convey who you are to the right audience, and the right time, through the right method. When you do, visitors will come!
LISTEN TO AUDIO CLIP ON LAW 2Tools to help you Attract Visitors:
Direct Mail Postcards: Pick your design, target your message and let Outreach create a campaign to drive new visitors to your door.
Event-driven websites: Doing a direct mail for a special event? Let us design a matching website for your members to use to invite people.
Do-it-Yourself Door Hangers: Pick your design, print your own information and involve everyone in marketing in the local community.
Law 3: Connect Attenders to Your ChurchGetting people connected with others is most often the key to keeping them around. The connection process is facilitated by having the right materials available to help people find places of connection. Provide informational brochures, banners and bulletins that let them know about the church's ministries, needs and opportunities to serve.
LISTEN TO AUDIO CLIP ON LAW 3
Tools to Help You Connect Attenders:
Vertical Indoor Banners: Directional banners in attractive designs help newcomers find their way around - pick from many different designs to find the right "fit" in your church image.
Attractive Bulletin Shells: It's been proven that the average attender in a worship service refers to the bulletin 5-7 times. Having a professionally designed and printed shell is essential to your church identity.
Info Brochures: Having a unified image and design for your brochures creates professional, easy to access information centers.
DesignSuites: For any one of the above products, choose an overall "theme" to create synergy in your materials.
Law 4: Equip Members to be InvitersPeople are your most powerful outreach tool. As you equip your regular attenders with the motivation, knowledge and materials they need to share their faith, they will take the lead in your church's outreach efforts. By providing them with high-quality outreach tools, your members will more easily be able to invite visitors to your church and continue the ongoing cycle of outreach. LISTEN TO AUDIO CLIP ON LAW 4
Tools to Help You Equip Members:Business Card-sized Invitations: Personal invitation remains the most powerful method of increasing visitors to your church. Equip your church member with professionally design and printed invitation cards.
Host an Outreach Event: Plan an "invitable" event to which your members can bring their unchurched friends.
Event-driven websites: Doing a direct mail for a special event? Let us design a matching website for your members to use to invite people.
The one-day Outreach seminar is taught at churches and/or conferences around the US at various times of the year. (Be sure to check the Training Schedule) The 4 Laws of Effective Outreach are presented in a detailed, interactive and highly informative method. Read what some past attendees have said.
You are also encouraged to bring the Outreach Road Show to town! The Road Show includes a shortened version of the Outreach Seminar. Click here to book for your church!
Law 1: Create an Identity for Outreach
Law 2: Attract Visitors by Communicating your Identity
Law 3: Connect Attenders to Your Church
Law 4: Equip Members to be Inviters