Building Interest: creating a simple display

Three times a year at our church, we create a fun and festive environment that we call a Life Groups & Ministries Fair. Life Group leaders and ministry leaders are given the opportunity to put their groups and ministries on display in our gymnasium following both of our morning services.  We fill the room with the smell of free popcorn and give away free lemonade as well!  People love it!

Most of our group leaders create a simple cardboard panel "science fair" type of display to use for marketing. During the fair group leaders simply stand near their display and talk about their group with anyone who is interested. Fair attenders are encouraged to indicate interest in the groups by filling out an interest card.  Each life group is given an alphanumeric code that attenders can use to indicate interest without having to write down the names of the life groups they are interested in knowing more about.  The following day, our life group office processes all of the interest cards.  We then send an e-mail to the life group leaders containing the contact information of those who are interested in knowing more about their group.  Group leaders are expected to "strike while the iron is hot" by contacting people as soon as they receive the contact information.

Along with hosting our life group and ministry fair, we create a catalog of life groups for people to take home so that they can spend time considering which groups they will join.  This same piece is used as our church's "guest guide" and includes information about life groups, ministires, speical events and service times.

If you are one who lacks in creativity, please email the life groups office in advance of the fair and we will help you connect with someone who is a bit more crafty and artsy!"

Invitation vrs. Information

Yes, marketing matters, but it will never beat the power of a personal invitation when it comes to filling your group.  If you are looking for an effective way to populate your group come opening night, you'll need to recapture the lost art of personally inviting people.  I know that it seems crazy in this day and age of color brochures, Facebook posts, emails and bulletin announcements. It feels entirely inefficient to actually have to talk to people in order to get them to want the incredible experience your are offering for them to connect, learn and grow.  How primitive! but, this is what it honestly takes.  Personal invitation trumps all else.

Having said all of that, here are a few best practices when personally inviting someone to your group.

Information as Invitation:  A lot of people get these two things confused.  They think that because they posted the event, placed an add in the bulletin, or handed out a flyer that they have done the job of inviting people.  What they don't understand, is that information is not an invitation.  Ending your bulletin announcement with "come and join us" won't yield the involvement results you are hoping for.

Invitation with Information: Use marketing materials with your personal invite.  The brochure or flyer you created are more effective when you are using them as a part of your personal invitation.

Invite them to join you.  People are often more interested in enjoying and relating to you much or more than they may be interested in the actual small group study.  Inviting them to join your small group is really like inviting them into another level of relationship with you. Share that you would like them to come because you like them and would like to share the experience with them.

Invite and wait for a response: 
Learn to personally invite and ask for a response.  I often ask small group leaders if they invited anyone to their small group.  Most of the time have they say "yes."  It's always fun to ask them a follow up question, "Who is coming?"  This is the moment when uncertainty sweeps over many group leader's faces.  The truth is, they don't really know who is coming.  Why?  Because they really only delivered personal information, not a personal invitation where they ended with a definitive response.

Ask and wait for it!  Your personal call should include information, a statement of inclusion like "I'd like to have you there," as well as a clear ask, "Will you come?"  We have found that most people are able to make the decision right then.  Many will say "yes" simply because you asked.  A few will politely say "no" but will be glad you asked.  And others will need to check a calendar or talk to a spouse before committing, but they too will be glad you asked!  In the end you'll have a better handle on who is coming and therefore you will be able to confidently prepare for your small group gathering.  Always end every personal invitation by asking, "Will you come?" and wait for a response!

Sample Personal Invitation:  "Hi John!, I'm calling to invite you to the group of guys I'm hosting on Thursday nights.  We'll meet at my house at 6:30 - 8:00 PM.  Our night will include food and beverages, then we'll watch about a 15 minute video that challenges us as men, and then discuss what we think about it all.  We'll do this for 6 weeks.  I'd like to include you among the guys John.  Will you come?"  (pause for an answer!)