Let's Conserve the Results
(Chapter 12 from Dr. Hyle's excellent book, Let's Build An Evangelistic Church)
A real active soul-winning church loses more converts than any other kind of church. The reason is that such a church makes more converts; hence, more converts are kept and more converts are lost.
Much care should be taken with every convert to be sure that nothing has been spared to conserve him and make him a useful and usable Christian in the service of the Lord.
One of the criticisms levied against soul-winning churches often is that they "dip 'em and drap'em." We should do all that we can to make this criticism an unjustified one. In John 15, verse 16, we are told "that your fruit should remain." We are told in Matthew 28:19 and 20 to "teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." These and other Scriptures would lead us to believe that much effort should be given to conserve the results of our evangelistic program. In this chapter we plan to take a step-by-step observation of the follow-up work done in our church. May God use it to help others.
1. Someone Prays With the New Convert at the Altar
This is covered carefully in the chapter on giving an invitation. We feel that when a person is properly dealt with at the altar, it is the first step in an effective follow-up program.
We have thirty-three deacons in our church. Each of these men is instructed concerning dealing with people at the altar. When a person comes to be saved, one of our deacons kneels at the altar with the new convert, opens the Bible, prays with him, and leads him to assurance of salvation.
2. The Convert Then Has a Seat on the Front, Where the Secretary Makes a Record of His Conversion
This record is made in triplicate form. One copy is given to the pastor to read to the people. Another copy is given to the assistant pastor for follow-up work. The third copy is used in our church records. Below is a copy of the form we use.
[Copy of triplicate form as text only]:
Name__________________________________ Date__________
Address_______________________________ Apt.__________
City__________________________________ Age___________
Decision:
____ PROFESSION OF FAITH ____ BAPTISM ____TRANSFER
____ CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE ____ RESTORATION
Present Membership:
Church__________________________
City____________________________
3. The Pastor Reads the Convert's Name to the People
The person at the front and pastor, people, and convert rejoice a moment over his salvation. At this time friends or members of the family come forward to stand with him to rejoice about the victory. This is also covered in the chapter on giving an invitation.
4. The People Come By to Shake the Convert's Hand
This is a time of definite follow-up work. The people come and rejoice with the convert over his decision. This gives him more assurance and confidence in his experience.
5. The Secretary Gives Him a Letter About Baptism
The church secretary comes by to shake hands with the converts. She has a mimeographed letter from the pastor for each convert. The letter explains the meaning of baptism, the things to bring to baptism, and the time and place to meet. This letter is given to the converts at the altar as the secretary shakes their hands.
6. The Assistant Pastor Talks With Each About Baptism
As the assistant pastor goes down the line, he talks with each person about the necessity of being baptized and following Christ in baptism and church membership. He also informs them as to the time and place of the meeting for baptism. Actually, he simply gives a vocal encouragement to the written one previously given by the secretary. At this time, the assistant pastor tries to get a verbal commitment from them to come and get baptized that night.
7. A Letter Is Sent to Each Convert the Following Tuesday
On Tuesday a personal letter goes from the pastor to each convert rejoicing with him over his decision. This letter is not mimeographed, but typewritten, and is signed by the pastor.
8. A Baptism Letter Goes Out During the Following Week
Those who are saved on Sunday, but chose not to be baptized then, receive a letter about baptism, encouraging them to come the next Sunday night for baptism. This letter is sent out each week for four weeks in an effort to get them baptized.
9. There Is a Baptism Class Each Sunday at 6:30 in the Evening
In our church we baptize every Sunday evening following the evening service. This has been our policy for over ten years now. Only two Sunday nights in the last ten years have we not baptized. In our present pastorate we have found it advisable to have a baptism class before baptism. The class meets at 6:30 each Sunday evening. The assistant pastor teaches it. For a number of years the pastor taught it and occasionally still does.
At this class several things are discussed. First, and most important, is the meaning of baptism. The convert is taught that baptism pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ; that it pictures our death to sin and rising again to walk in newness of life; that it pictures our identification with Christ in His death; and that it is a public declaration of an inward experience.
At this meeting the mode of baptism is discussed. In other words, the person is shown exactly how he is to be baptized.
This eliminates a number of fears, especially for little children, and prepares them to know exactly what will happen when they are baptized.
After the meeting the people are taken to the dressing room, where they leave their extra clothes. They are asked to sit in a group in the auditorium.
We might note also that we use baptismal robes or smocks. They are very simple garments made of white cotton material, and make a very impressive baptismal scene. Oftentimes someone who is converted on Sunday night can be baptized immediately because of this arrangement.
10. The Convert Receives a Visit From the Pastor the Following Week
This may be done by the pastor or the assistant pastor or another staff member. The purpose of this visit is:
{1) to check the experience of salvation very carefully;
{2) to discuss baptism and church membership with the convert;
{3) to enroll the family in Sunday School if at all possible;
(4) to acquaint them with our church life and the opportunities our church affords;
(5) to witness to other members of the family who might be unsaved.
11. Have a New Members' Reception Each Month
Once each month our church has what we call a New Members' Reception. This reception is a special meeting attended by the new members in the church and the church officers, such as staff, deacons, etc. The purpose of this meeting is to acquaint the new member with our church life and introduce him to our church leaders.
The meeting is begun with a song. This song can have something to do with growth in grace or another timely subject. Then the pastor welcomes the new members on behalf of the church. The pastor asks the deacons to stand, and then one at a time the church officers are introduced as follows: pastor, assistant pastor, music and youth director, secretaries, chairman of the deacons, deacons, church treasurer, W.M.S. president, etc.
After a word of greeting from the pastor, the assistant pastor is called on. He also gives a word of greeting and explains a few things about the church program. Then the music and youth director takes five minutes to introduce them to the youth program of the church and also the music program. He also adds his word of greeting.
Then the rest of the staff and deacons are introduced. The deacon chairman is called upon, and he speaks a word of welcome to the new members. The W.M.S. president is presented. She tells about the ladies' missionary work of the church and invites all the ladies to participate in this activity.
After the different leaders of the church have been introduced, some slides are shown to acquaint the new member with the different activities of the church. First, we show them pictures of the offices and buildings. Included in these buildings are the pastor's home, the assistant pastor's home, the branch churches, the custodian's home, etc. Then we show some pictures about growing in grace.
We show a slide of a family having a family altar. Another slide is shown of a person knocking on a door, going visiting. Another slide is shown of a family at the table with heads bowed thanking God for the food. Other slides concerning growth in grace are shown, as we encourage the new converts and new members to include these suggestions in their life. Then we show slides of our mission work. As the slides are shown someone explains the different phases of the church program. Pictures of our missionaries are shown to the people. Pictures of other phases of our church life are shown. The financial program of the church is shown. In other words, slides concerning every phase of our church life are given to acquaint them quickly with their new church.
After these slides have been shown, there is a prayer of dedication and consecration by the pastor for the members, thanking God for them and asking His blessings upon our new relationship together.
Also at this meeting there is presented to the new member a packet for new members. In this packet there is a book of daily devotional thoughts to help in their private devotions. There is a copy of the church covenant. There is a copy of the church constitution article concerning membership. There is a book of instruction for new Christians. There is a certificate of church membership. There is also a packet of envelopes for the year. This packet is given to every new member to help them in their spiritual growth.
Following the presentation of the packet, there is a time of refreshment and fellowship. The new members go by a table, get some punch and cookies, and have a seat. The deacons and leaders in the church also get refreshments and are instructed to mix and mingle with the new people, meeting each of them and welcoming them into the fellowship of our church.
This is a very profitable time, and goes a long way to make new members feel welcome in the church.
12. Have a Three-Week Class for New Members
At the New Members' Reception, announcement is made concerning a class for new members. This class is taught the three Sunday evenings following the New Members' Reception -- from 5:45 to 6:30. The courses taught are as follows: soul winning, fundamental Bible truths, habits for new Christians, how to work for the Lord, etc.
The last Sunday evening a tour is made of the church property, showing the people the different departments, the offices, the church library, book store, the nurseries, and other interesting places on the church property.
13. The Sunday School Teachers Visit Them Every Time They Are Absent
The best follow-up work is the Sunday School. When a person is voted into our church, we enroll him in Sunday School, and then when he is absent he is visited by his teacher. This should be done constantly and consistently. Our motto is: Absentees are people. Our constant reminder is the most important absentee to visit is the one who was absent last Sunday for the first time. Chronic absentees are made of such people. We insist that our teachers visit the one who was absent the first time the last Sunday before other visits. He is the one who can be gotten back and must be reclaimed quickly.
You can see by the above program that a new member of our church receives a maximum of six letters, one visit, five classes of instruction, six weeks of interest, and over six hours of personal attention. To be sure, we still lose many. But we feel when the criticism comes that we "dip 'em and drap 'em," it is unjustified, for we have done our best to teach them "all things whatsoever I have commanded you" and 'that our fruit should remain.'
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