Driving down the interstate, I occasionally pass an eighteen wheeler that has a sign posted on the back of the trailer. The sign says, "IF YOU CAN’T SEE MY MIRRORS, I CAN’T SEE YOU." Is it possible that this sign could relate to our ministry within the church? Could there be church members who have hidden themselves so closely to the church that the church has failed to see them. They are involved just enough scratching the surface to portray an image of an active/serving member while the church unintentionally lets them slip into casual church membership.

What can our churches do to uncover the hidden members? Below are some suggestions that may help in utilizing every member for total maximum membership.

1. New Members Fellowships---Twice a year, plan a new member fellowship for those who have joined the church. Make this a time of celebration. Plan a great meal and program that will inform and encourage the new members. The pastor and staff should be present to cast the vision to the new members as to how important their involvement is in the ministries of the church. Use this time to plug the programs of the church.

2. Ministry Fair---Once a year, preferably in September (after Labor Day), plan a church-wide ministry fair on a Sunday Morning or Sunday Night spotlighting all the ministries of the church: bed babies, children, youth, sr. adult, choir, Sunday School, etc. Encourage every ministry within the church to promote their ministries by setting up and manning a booth for Q and A. Encourage your church members to drop by these booths to pick-up valuable information. Also, you want to collect names of individuals that are willing to help in these ministries.

3. New Members Videos/Testimonies---once a quarter, if possible, incorporate new member live testimonies or new member video testimonies into a worship service. The new members will want to tell who they are and what the church means to them. This will serve two purposes:
-The congregation will get to know the new additions to the church as connections will be made.
-The church body is encouraged as they hear these folks tell why they love the church.

4. Surveys---As new members join the church, provide a survey for them to complete along with a self-addressed stamped envelope that they can mail back to the church. This survey should be easy to complete. One method to use is to "rate the following 1-5". This is quick and easy. Here are some suggestions you may want to consider rating: First impressions (ushers, door greeters, parking lot greeters, guest center, signage, cleanliness of facilities), Worship Service (rate all aspects of the service), Sunday School (friendliness, lesson content, teachers, activities, comfort, easy connections, etc.)

Have some questions to gather information: Why did you join our church? What are the strengths and weaknesses of our church? What ministries do you desire to be involved in (list all your ministries and have them check which one they want to participate in). This survey could be used for all members, not just the new members.

5. Create Ministry Teams---Provide easy avenues for members to get plugged into ministries by developing ministry teams. Church committees unintentionally keep new members from getting plugged in due to important, needed policy. Ministry Teams are a quick open door to plug any Godly member into the life ministries of the church for however long they desire to serve. If the members are willing, ready and able, let’s put them to work. Our churches are filled with members who can serve on ministry teams such as: Fellowship, First Impression, Guest Services, Community Outreach, Church Outreach/Evangelism, Benevolence, Prayer, Decoration, Media, etc. As you launch these teams, have a meeting to lay out the guidelines and requirements followed by signing a covenant.

These are a few items to consider as you strive to keep your new church members as well as all church members active in the church. Look in your mirrors……what are you seeing? Are the new members visibly seen in ministry or are they hiding out?

John Caddy serves as a member of the ABSC Evangelism and Church Growth team in the area of Adult Sunday School and Small Group ministry. He served nine years as Associate Pastor of Students at Wynne Baptist Church and four years as Pastor of Church Growth and Evangelism at the Indian Springs Baptist in Bryant. It is his passion to serve Arkansas churches and their staff. He and his wife Lana, along with their four children, reside in Bryant, Arkansas.