"The DNA Update for United Methodists, Mid-June 2016" "DNA Coaching" - Dr. Don Nations in Sarasota, Florida, United States "The DNA Update for United Methodists, Mid-June 2016" for Friday, 17 June 2016

The DNA Update for United Methodists with Dr. Don Nations, Mid-June 2016 "The DNA Update for United Methodists, Mid-June 2016" "DNA Coaching" - Dr. Don Nations in Sarasota, Florida, United States "The DNA Update for United Methodists, Mid-June 2016" for Friday, 17 June 2016
In This Issue:

1. What We Say, What We Do
2. Back to School Idea

1. What We Say, What We Do
The majority of church leaders would say that they want their church to grow and that they would like to see more younger people in church. Would a visit to the weekend worship service show that the church was acting in ways which were likely to reach these goals?
I visited a church recently on a Sunday morning. This is a church which has been in a slow decline for a decade and which would say it wants to grow. Here are some observations:
On the plus side:

• The facility was clean
• Decorations for VBS were up and they looked good
• There was an information station in the lobby
• The people seemed friendly

On the other hand:

• There were no greeters in the parking lot or sufficient signage
• The coffee was around the corner; convenient only if you knew where it was located . . . and of course you could not bring it into the service
• First-time guests were asked to raise their hand (something most guests do not like, especially if they are not long-term churched people)
• The service started late
• The hymns were difficult to sing in the traditional service and the music is the contemporary service had a strong feel of the 1970s
• A long string of announcements was made, most of which would have been meaningless to a guest
• The church had screens and used Power Point but did not display words to the corporate prayers, the Communion liturgy, etc.
• The transitions between elements of the service were clunky with several periods of unneeded silence
• The bulletin was so full of information that it was difficult to tell what was really important

If a church has not had a consistent pattern of growth over the past three years then it is likely that a number of changes, both large and small, will be needed in order for it to become more effective. One challenge is that most of the people in the church cannot see what changes are needed. To help with this it is usually good to bring in someone from the outside. Once this feedback and guidance is provided, a second challenge is the degree to which the leaders are willing to make changes.
2. Back to School Idea
Most schools offer one or more “Back to School” nights in which students can meet their new teacher before the school year begins. A church could offer to assist with this event. Consider these possibilities for an elementary school:

• Set up cute cutouts/photo-booth which can be used for picture taking opportunities
• Rent a trackless train which can be used to give rides to kids (and maybe teachers before the kids arrive)
• Provide the snacks for the event
• Pay for and operate bounce houses and or other fun things for kids
• Offer back to school supplies, especially if the school serves a predominately lower income population
• It is important for people from the church to staff the event and use it as a time to intentionally connect with people. You may not be able to overtly invite people to church but you likely could have a sign or literature at the event.

These kinds of events are better thought of as pieces of a long-term strategy to meet new people in the community and build relationships with them. The event is not about the church nor is it a quick way to get a few new first-time guests. If the school leadership feels that the church is simply attempting to use the school, as opposed to being a true partner with it, then they are unlikely to be open to the idea.
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