As I’ve been traveling around to churches across the nation, I’ve asked a similar question to pastors who have seen their ministries and churches grow over the years. “What is one reason you can think of as to why your ministry grew?” Their answer shocked me. They all pointed to a system they had developed for taking attendance and tracking people. Usually, it was one person (the pastors' spouse) in the balcony or in the lobby who knew everyone and took attendance every week. Once they knew who was here and who wasn’t, they made a phone call or sent a text to simply say “thinking about you and praying for you”. They didn’t ask where they were or how come they weren’t in church. It was a simple reminder that “you are noticed, and you are needed.”
The key ingredient in this method is that it was anonymous. Sure, congregants eventually figured it out, but the leadership didn’t go around saying “we’re taking attendance”. They simply took attendance and observed who was there and who was not. They didn’t make anyone feel bad about not coming to church, they took the opportunity to connect with them and let them know that they are loved and needed.
Every week the pastor and team would look at the list and determine if those not in attendance needed a contact and who should do it. For example, if a person was away one week, probably no contact is needed. But if the person had missed three in a row, then they would send out a text or email letting them know that they were thought of and prayed for. The pastor wasn’t always the one sending out the communication. Sometimes, it was determined that the youth or children’s ministers were the best people to touch base. In other cases, the spouse of a leader or small group leader would do it. In every case, it was relational and not programmatic. It needed to come off as a genuine touchpoint and not a method of tracking people.
Systems help churches accommodate growth and maintain health. Good systems go unnoticed and ensure that people are put first. Perhaps you can discover a system of making sure everyone is present and accounted for.
Jeremiah works as an Effectiveness Coach with the ABNWT District of the PAOC. He is a passionate and creative leader who believes that the church is the hope of the world. He uses collaboration, innovation, and inspiration to challenge churches and their leadership to engage in the only mission Jesus ever sent his church on: making disciples.