Absentee Contact Program

OBJECTIVE: To lend a hand, to establish friendship, to show
someone cares. To target problem areas that will assist in other
outreach programs and may include the involvement of other
outreach programs. To target weaknesses within the body which
will allow us to build and develop the church as a whole. To
encourage regular attendance.

PROPOSAL: We have many programs available, such as, greeters in
the hallway, Phone Ministry, Bible Studies, New Converts
classes, but as of yet no program developed to reach out to the
absentee member in the adult class.

A program is needed to notice absences and respond to the
obvious need of the absentee. Generally, if we have members in
our congregation who begin missing service it’s because of a
need in their life that possibly, we as the church, have failed
to meet. A friendly hand extended in time can make the difference.

The following is a list of step-by-step procedures to follow
regarding the Absentee Member Contact Form:

  1. Attendance Record Keeper records name of those who have
    missed three consecutive Sundays then gives list to the Absentee
    Member Program Director.

  2. Pastor reviews the list to verify if there is a real
    concern or if the member may be absent for a legitimate reason,
    such as, vacation or illness in the family.

  3. Absentee Member Program Director completes the Member
    Contact form and distributes to the Absentee Member Contact
    Representative.

  4. Absentee Member Contact Representative completes response
    portion of the form and returns to Program Director within the
    timeframe indicated.

  5. Copies of completed form are distributed to the Pastor,
    Outreach Program Director and to Shepherd Leader for possible
    follow-up and for review.

Possible follow-up suggestions are:

  1. Another Absentee Member Contact Representative contact
    the absentee.

  2. Pastor and/or Shepherd Leader make contact by telephone
    or make home visitation to the absentee.

  3. Personal home visit (through the Outreach Department).

  4. Home Bible Study.

Complete form accurately, completely, clearly and stay within
the time-frame allowed.

JOB DESCRIPTION ABSENTEE MEMBER CONTACT PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Job Purpose

To administer contacts to absentee members or make contact
personally. To assure contact information is forwarded to the
Pastor, Shepherd Leader and any other persons as needed on a
case-by-case basis to ensure follow-up to the initial contact.
To ensure this is done in a timely manner.

Job Qualifications

  1. Must be filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus name.

  2. Must meet the qualifications for church membership.

  3. Must be loyal to the Pastor.

  4. Must be faithful in attendance of church services.

  5. Must carry a burden for wavering brothers and sisters.

  6. Must be willing to work in harmony with others.

  7. Must pray before making the contacts.

  8. Must be sincere and adhere to the standards set by the church.

Job Responsibilities

  1. Obtain list of those absent three times or more from attendance
    recorder.

  2. Give list to Pastor to review.

  3. Complete Absentee Member Contact Form.

  4. Distribute Absentee Member Contact Form to Contact
    Representative(s).

  5. Collect completed Absentee Member Contact Form once contact has
    been made.

  6. Distribute copies of completed form to Pastor, Shepherd Leader and
    any other necessary departments, such as, Outreach Home Visitation
    Director.

  7. Assist Contact Representatives in completing form or training of
    Contact Representatives.

JOB DESCRIPTION ABSENTEE MEMBER CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE

Job Purpose

To extend friendship, to pray for the individual or to help
where help is needed. To encourage the absentee to return to the
flock and to find out what that may require so that we as the
church body can help.

Job Qualifications

  1. Must be filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus name.

  2. Must meet the qualifications for church membership.

  3. Must be loyal to the Pastor.

  4. Must be dependable.

  5. Must be faithful in attendance.

  6. Must enjoy working with people.

  7. Must have a burden for the lost and/or wavering saint.

  8. Must be sincere.

  9. Must adhere to the standards set by the church.

Job Responsibilities

  1. Contact absentee by date indicated on the Absentee Member Contact
    Form.

  2. Complete form regarding contact and recommendations to follow-up,
    when needed.

  3. Return completed form to Absentee Member Program Director by
    designated date on form.

Training and Development

Attend initial program orientation.

Attend Outreach Workshops when requested by Absentee Member Program
Director or Outreach Program Director.

ABSENT MEMBER CONTACT INFORMATION FORM

OBJECTIVE: Offer friendship and express concern so member is
aware that someone sincerely cares about them. NO PREACHING!!

DATE: _____________________________ NO. SERVICES MISSED: ________

NAME: ____________________________________________ AGE: ________

ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________


TELEPHONE NO.: _________________ LENGTH OF MEMBERSHIP: __________

CONTACT MEMBER BY: ________________ RETURN FORM BY: _____________


NAME OF MEMBER CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE: __________________________

PHONE NO. OF MEMBER CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE: _____________________

DATE TO CONTACT BY: __________________ CONTACT MADE: ____________

RESPONSE OF MEMBER: _____________________________________________




COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS: ___________________________________________


DATE RETURNED: ___________________ DATE FORWARDED: ______________

PASTOR SIGNATURE: ________________________________ DATE: ________

COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS: ___________________________________________


SHEPHERD LEADER SIGNATURE: _______________________ DATE: ________

COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS: ___________________________________________

Tim Massengale. Total Church Growth. Copyright 1989