How to Reactivate Your Inactive Church Members



How to Reactivate Your Inactive Church Members

An inactive member is a resident member of the church who has ceased to participate in the life and work of the church as evidenced by a lack of attendance and financial support or who has shown a marked decrease in involvement.

Here are some things to consider as you determine what you can do to bring back those who have fallen away.

1. Pray continuously for ... 

Yourself

The absentee

God’s direction

The right time

The right words to say

Discernment

Wisdom

Wait for the Spirit of God for some in order to have a real opportunity to minister to them until we can see these people as hurting, needful people we are not ready to minister to them. Nothing is more exciting then to be used by the Holy Spirit. God’s timing is better than ours.

2. Ask God to help you develop peacemaking skills.

If you have an abrasive personality, you may want to defer the business of reconciliation to someone else as God develops this skill in you. Reclamation can cause us to be anxious. Fears of the unknown and possible negative encounters serve as barriers.

Our attitude towards inactive members will strongly influence our actions towards them. If we see them as dead wood – clear the rolls – then we will do so but if we see them as real persons of worth with real needs – we will adopt a different stance towards them.

3. Assume that people who drop out of church usually have a good reason.

Never make light of that reason. Some of the reasons that I have heard for dropping out include the following:

Not feeling accepted

Being mad at a staff person

Being mad at another church member

Changes in the church

Shame from immoral behavior

Feel neglected in personal crisis

Few are running the show

Guilt feelings from church members for not living up to church’s expectations

Denominational issues

Doctrinal issues

Family crises

Life’s Transitions

Shift of Priorities

Burn out

Moved out of the community

Four categories of dropping out

A) Conflict 50%

B) Unmet Expectations

C) Lack of Affinity

D) Inability to relate

They will share with you the symptoms but are unaware of the causes. The symptoms are what they tell you, reason, and explanations. The real need will be under the surface. We may have to ask some specific questions to get to the rest of the problem.

Ask open ended questions

Focus of feelings and problems

Convey understanding and acceptance of feelings and concerns

Present oneself as an equal not an authoritative figure

Express direct questions and concerns

As trust level builds in your relationship they will be able to address the real problems of the members’ inactivity.

Illustration: Two deep sea divers working on a sunken vessel. On diver waves in a panic, Shark? The Bends? He grabs a tablet and grease pencil but it’s too late he passes out. He is retrieved to sick bay and asked what was the problem? You were standing on my air hose. Our well meaning concern and attention are focused on inactive members in a loving attempt tat ministry. To us the responses are strange but to the hurting member the problem is obvious. Their lives are characterized by a broken relationship.

4 . Practice your listening skills.

Being a good listener is essential to reclaiming inactive believers. Listen for clarity, understanding, and feelings. This is a major way to communicate your concern. Do not attempt to convince them to come back. Most efforts at reclamation are ineffective simply because we are not listening.

Members will not share until we have won the right to be heard. Until them they will give excuses. Progress will come when the member accepts responsibility for their inactivity.

Develop a rapport. The attitude and confidence will lead to an openness of the inactive member.

Demonstrate with your body language that you care. Look at the other person, smile, respond back by asking questions.

Concentrate on what the other person is saying.

5. Lower your defenses.

Ask the person why he or she is not coming to church. Tactfully, inquire concerning their broken relationship with the church.

Be prepared to accept the answer.

Exercise patience.

You are an advocate not the prosecutor

Be clear that you are coming because you really care.

It requires a compassionate willingness to mark yourself as vulnerable to share the pain others are experiencing.

Be honest with the person in all matters

6. Acknowledge when the absentee has a valid point.

Sometimes their reasons for not participating are valid. Sometimes we need to offer an apology. We do them an injustice when we are not willing to say, “You’re right.” Specifically address these issues as best as possible. Trying to get them active without addressing their needs is a waste of time. Positive suggestions of alternatives looking to the possible solutions of the problem.

Avoid ‘I know how you feel.’ If you have a similar experience tell your feelings by being brief and personal and allow the other person to make the application.

7. Challenge them to move past their painful issue and get back into the Christian family.

Be very careful at this point! Strike a balance between making the challenge too weak and making the challenge too strong. Discernment, sensitivity, wisdom, and flexibility all come into play at this point. A recommendation of another church may be in order. Pray for the individual/family in their home that there might be a course of action that will please God, honor Christ, and be the best for all concerned. Allow them to make a decision or committal resulting in action. Be patient. Trust God to work in the other person life.

8. Assure them of your continued love and support no matter what decision they make.

Be sure your behavior reflects this commitment. Show love and interest in them even if they decide to stay at home. If attending another church, give your blessings.

9. Leave the door open for future conversations.

It normally will take multiple interactions. What could we do as fellow believers to make your return easier? Establish casual appointment, ‘I would like to come again….’

10. Demonstrate your respect by not pushing them to do things your way.

By doing so, you will earn the right to be heard.

11. Be flexible.

12. Encourage them to continue in spiritual growth.

13. Never give advice.

Love them enough to let them make up their own minds.

14. Trust God for results.

God loves them more than you do and will work in His unique ways. Evaluate each step.

15. Don’t give up.

A different time and a different set of circumstances might lead to a different response. You can never predict what another person will do. Sometimes people need more time to deal with their reason for leaving. Other people are ready to come back right away. Be ready for a lengthy process. There are no short cuts. If we are not willing to invest time, energy our reclamation of inactive members will be limited. This is not a one time project. Long periods of time, consistent loving effort.

Keep after them.. Knowing that you are available is not enough. Take the initiative.

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