autoresponders for churches - chuck...
TRANSCRIPT
Autoresponder/DripCampaignsForChurches
ThoseofuswhoworkinchurcheshavearesponsibilitytoleveragethetoolsavailabletoustoadvancethemissionofthechurchandthecauseoftheGospel.Onesetoftoolsthataretakingthebusinessworldbystormareautoresponders.Autoresponders,ordrip-campaignsasthey’realsoknown,areemailsthatyousetuponceusinganemaildeliverysoftwaresuchasMailChimp,thentheyautomaticallysendinsequencetonamesaddedtoyourlist.
Inbusiness,thedripsequenceusuallybeginsaftersomeonesignsupforafreeproduct(sometimescalledaleadmagnet),thendrivestheconsumertowardaproductorserviceavailableforpurchaseattheend.
Churchescanleveragethesesametoolstoengagewithpeoplewhoarenew.Autoresponsecampaignsarecheaptosetup(someservicesareevenfree),simpletoimplement,andextremelyeffectiveatgivingpeoplevaluablecontentinordertobuildtrust.
Inthisresource,I’vegivenyouanoverviewofsomeautorespondercampaignsthatareperfectforchurches.Cuethemupinanemailapplication,thenschedulethemtoautomaticallysendoutonceaweek.
AfteryoureadthroughthesummaryoftheemailcampaignsI’velistedbelow,besuretojumptotheendofthisdocumentwhereI’vetakenawayallofyourexcusesandgivenyoucopyandpaste-ablesampleemailsforyoutouse.SimplyreplacethecontentI’veincludedwithyourchurch’spertinentcontentandpresssend.
Acoupleofwordsofwarning…
Ifsomeonehasgivenyoutheiremailaddress,they’vegiveyouapreciouspieceoftheirtrust.Stewarditwell.Makesureifyou’regoingtoaddtotheirinboxnoise,youareprovidingasmuchvalueaspossible.
Makesuretouseanemailsystem,suchasMailChimp,ConstantContact,AWeber,etc.thathelpsyoumanageyourlists,helpsautomatethecontentdelivery,andhelpskeepyoucompliantwiththeCAN-SPAMlaws.
Let’suseallofthetoolsatourdisposaltoleadpeopletoJesus!Ready?Let’sgetstarted…
AutoresponderCampaignOne:FirstTimeGuestsHopefullyyouhaveawayofknowingwhoyourSirsttimeguestsare.Ifnot,closethisdocumentandgoSigurethatout.Onceyou’veSiguredoutawaytocollectsomeoftheirinformation,setupadripcampaigntoletthemmoreaboutyourchurch.
EmailOne-SimpleThanksThankthemforvisitingandletthemknowyou’regoingtosendthemafewemailstohelpthembecomefamiliarwiththechurch.Givethemanopportunitytooptouthere.It’sbettertoletthemgothanannoythem.
EmailTwo-Mission&PhilosophyTellthemaboutyourchurch’smissionandphilosophy.Letthemknowwhyyouexist.Tellthemsomeofthechurch’sstandardoperatingprocedures.Whydoyousingthesongsyousing?Howdoyouministertothecommunity?Whatareyourvalues.Thisemailshouldsetupthenextemail,informationaboutyourministries,verynicely.
EmailThree-InfoAboutYourMinistriesThisemailshouldhighlightyourtop-levelthreeorfourministries(students,singles,adults,etc.).Ifyourchurchhasalotgoingon,resisttheurgetomakethisalongemail.Thinkaboutyourdemographicandgivetheminfoaboutministriesthatwillbestservethem.Pointthemtoyourwebsitetolearnaboutadditionalministries.
EmailFour-MeetTheStaffThisisaprettystraightforwardemail.Introduceyourtop-levelstaffersandexplainhowtheycanserve.Remembertoincludephotosandcontactinfo!
EmailFive-InfoAboutFollowingJesusNowthatyou’veestablishedarelationshipwithyourgueststhroughtheSirstSiveemails,sendonethattellsthemhowtotakethenextstepoffollowingJesus.Again,keepitsimple.Perhapspointthemtoavideoonyourwebsitewiththegospelmessage.Also,makesuretogivethemawaytoletyouknowaboutanydecisionthey’vemade.
Important:thepointofthisemailisn’ttoconvertpeople,butrathertoletthemknowhowtoSindtheinformationwhentheSpiritmovesinthem.
EmailSix-InfoAboutSmallGroupsAssumingyourchurchisasmallgroupschurch,thenextlogicalemailshouldhelpthemgetconnectedtoagroup.IfyoudoSundaySchool,usethisemailtoconnectthemtoaclass.ExplainwhyyourchurchvaluessmallgroupsandwhatbeneSitthereisfortheguest.Ifyouonlyhaveafewgroups,listthemintheemail.Ifyouhaveamultitudeofgroups,pointpeopletothespotonyourwebsitewheretheycangetconnected.
EmailSeven-GeneralFAQ’sAnswerafewquestionsanewcomertoyourchurchmighthave.Forexample:Whydoesthepastorwearbluejeans?WhydoyouplaysongsImighthearontheradiotokickofftheservices?Whydoesmiddleschoolmeetseparatelythanhighschool?Wheredoesmoneyfromtheofferinggo?
HowcanIgetconnectedortakeanextstep?HowcanImeettheleadpastorinperson?Howdoyoupickwhichsongsyousinginworship?HowcanIlearnmoreaboutwhatthechurchbelieves?
AutoresponderCampaignTwo:NewcomerClassAttendersTheideabehindthisseriesofemailsistohelpsomeonewhohasattendedyourclassfornewcomerstaketheirnextstep.Hopefullytheyreceivedalltheinformationtheyneededwhileattendingtheclass,butjustincasetheydidn’twhynotfollowupwithadripcampaign?
EmailOne-ThanksForAttendingThankthemforattendingyournewcomerclass.Remindthemofafewthingsyoucovered(i.e.wewanteveryonetoattendonSundays,getinvolvedinasmallgroup,andservesomewhere).Givethemacontactname,number,andemailaddressiftheyhaveanyfollow-upquestions.
EmailTwo-GettingConnectedInthisemail,you’llwanttogetintoafewmorespeciSicsabouthowtheycangetconnected.GivethemthenamesandcontactinfoofkeyministryleaderstheymightwanttoconnectwithandtellthemspeciSicsabouthowtogetintoasmallgroup.
EmailThree-GettingStartedWithServingInthethirdemailinthiscampaign,wewanttohelppeoplegetinvolvedinserving.Givethemalistofgoodservingopportunitieswheretheycangettheirfeetwet.Tellthemtheprocessofgettingstartedwithserving(tryoutafewareas,pickone,gettraining,etc.).
EmailFour-You’reAttendingASmallGroup.NowWhat?Thisemailassumespeoplehavetestedoutasmallgroup.Here,wecangivethemanideaofhowtogetthemostoutofattendingagroupsuchas:Gettoknowthepeopleinyourgroup.Doanactivitywithfolksinyourgroup,outsideofthestructuredgroupsetting.ComepreparedfortheBiblestudyanddiscussion.Remindthemthattheydon’thavetobeaBiblescholar,butthattheyhavesomethingvaluabletoaddandthatthegroupmeetinggoesbetterwheneveryoneparticipates.
EmailFive-You’reServingonaMinistryTeam.NowWhat?Justlikethepreviousemail,thisgivespeoplenewtoservingsometipsandtricksabouthowtogetthemostoutofserving,suchas:Arriveearlyforyourservingtimeandgettoknowothersontheteam.Serveafewtimesbeforeyoupassjudgementontheservingopportunity.Itmighttakeawhileforyoutogetthehangofit,togelwiththeteam,etc.Jotdownalistofwhatyoulikeaboutserving,whatcouldbebetter,howtheministryleadercanhelpyou,etc.andshareitwiththeleader.
Showupprepared.Whilemostservingopportunitiesdon’trequirealotofoutsidepreparation,whenyoushowupwiththerightmindsetandareaspreparedaspossible,itwillhelpyoutoenjoyservingmore.
AutoresponderCampaignThree:EmailListSubscribersWhensomeonesignsupforyourall-churchemaillist,they’vetakenariskandastepoffaith.They’vealsogivenyoupermissiontosendsomethingofvaluedirectlytotheirinbox.Let’staketheopportunitytogivethemsomegeneraltips&tricksforlivingtheChristianlife.
EmailOne-Top10SermonMessagesCheckoutyouranalyticsandemailsubscribersalistofyourtoptenalltimemessages.
EmailTwo-Top10RecommendedBooksCompilealistoftoptenbooksforChristianlivingforyournewemailsubscribers.Needhelp?Google“topchristianbooksofalltime”forsomeideas.
EmailThree-TopResourcesWhynotgiveyournewsubscribersalistofresourcesthatmightbehelpful.SomeideasincludeDaveRamsey’sFinancialPeaceUniversity,theYouVersionBibleApp,podcasts,WorshipCD’s,etc.
EmailFour-Top10TipsforParentingGod'sWayPartnerupwithyourchildren’sministrystaffandputtogetheralistoftipsforparentingtoemailout.
EmailFive-TipsForGodlyMarriagesSurveyyourstaffforalistofmarriagetips.Sendtheseoutasawayformarriedfolksonyouremaillisttogrow.Pointtowardthenextemailforthoseonyourlistwhoaresingle.
Quicknote:Itmightbewisetoalsoincludeanemailforsinglessincenoteveryoneonyouremaillistismarried.
EmailSix-TipsForSharingChristWithYourFamily,Friends,andCoworkersOneofthethingsChrist-followersstrugglewithmostissharingtheirfaith.Whynotgivethemalistoftipsandtrickstohelpthemgetstarted.
OtherAutorespondersToConsiderThedrip-campaignslistedabovearejustthetipoftheicebergofwhatyoucansend.Yourcreativityisyouronlylimit.Hereareafewadditionalideasyoumightwanttotry:•Folkswhotellusthey'veacceptedChrist• Coupleswhohavetakenpremaritalcounseling• Coupleswhorecentlygotmarriedatyourchurch
• Familieswhorecentlycheckedintochildren’sministry• Students/Familieswhoattendedayouthevent
SampleAutoresponderEmailsYouCanCopy&Paste
FirstTimeGuestsAutoresponderOne,EmailOne:SimpleThanks
DearJohn,
WewantedtosendyouaquickemailtosaythankyouforcheckingoutNewRiverChurchthispastSunday.Weknowyourtimeisvaluableandweconsideritanhonorthatyouchosetospendsomeofifwithus.
Ifyoudidn’tgetachancetostopbyournewcomerloungeonSundayletusknow…wehaveagiftwe’dliketosendyou.Don’tworrythough;nobodyisgoingtocomebyyourhouseandwepromisenottodoanythingcreepy.
Also,we’dlovetohearfromyou!Ifyouhaveanyquestions,wouldliketogiveusfeedbackaboutyourexperience,orjustwanttochat,youcanreachPastorJesse-ourconnectionspastor-at(123)456-7890.
We’dliketosendyouafewfollow-upemailsoverthenextcoupleofdaysjusttogiveyousomeadditionalinformationaboutNewRiverChurch.Ifyou’renotinterestedinthose,youcanclick[thislink]andunsubscribewithnohardfeelings.
Again,wefeelsohonoredyouwereourguest.Letusknowhowwecanserveyouinthefuture.
Sincerely,
TheNewRiverStaff
AutoresponderOne,EmailTwo:Mission&Philosophy
HiJohn,
Ifyouhaveamoment,wewantedtoletyouknowalittlemoreaboutNewRiverChurch.
OurmissionistoleadpeopleintoagrowingrelationshipwithJesusChrist.YouareabigdealtoJesus,andwewouldbedoingyouadisserviceifourmissionwasanythingshortofintroducingyoutohim.So,that’swhatwe’reallabout.
Oneofthewayswedothatisthroughrelevantbibleteaching.WebelievetheBiblehasasigniSicantbearingonwhatishappeninginourlife,andourteachingpastorsmakeeveryefforttoapproachtheirteachingtimeswiththatpoint-of-view.Nostuffylectureshere.
Wealsobelievethatauthenticworshipisessentialtoalifefullofjoyandpurpose.You’veprobablyalreadypickedupthatweworshipGodbysingingsongs,butwealsoworshiphimbygivingmoney,servingoneanother,andservinginourcommunity.
Finally,wefeelthatwegrowbestwhenwe’reconnectedtoothersingenuinecommunity.Wehavegrowthgroupsthatmeeteitheratthechurchbuildingorinhomesintheareaeverynightthroughouttheweek.Lifeisbetterwhenweareinittogether!
Thosearesomeofourtopvaluesandhowweapproachourmission.Ifyouhavequestionsorwouldliketodiscussitfurther,we’dlovetohearfromyou.Youcaneitherreplydirectlytothisemail,orcallPastorJesse-ourconnectionspastor-at(123)456-7890.
Sincerely,
TheNewRiverStaff
AutoresponderOne,EmailThree:InfoAboutYourMinistries
HiJohn,
DidyouknowNewRiverhasmanyministriestoservefolksindifferentareasoflife?
Children’sMinistryOurchildren’sministryiscalledRiverKidz.Itisforchildrenagesbirththrough5thgrade.RiverKidzmeetsduringtheservicesonSundaysandoffersenvironmentstailoredtohelpkidsindifferentagegroupsgrow.Childrengettosingsongs,hearbibleteaching,andexperiencesmall-groupcommunity.
ForquestionsaboutRiverKidz,contactMorgan-ourchildren’sministriesdirector-at(123)456-7890.
NewRiverStudentsNRSisourministryforstudentsinmiddleschoolandhighschool.MiddleschoolersmeetatUproaronSundaymorningsat11:15am.HighschoolersmeetatFloodonSundaynightsat5:00pm.Onceamonth,theycometogetherforatimeofworshipalltogethercalledTheMix.
NRSprovidesstudentswiththeopportunitytoworship,learnaboutGod,andhaveloadsoffuntogether.ContactKevin-ourstudentpastor-at(123)456-7890.
GrowthGroupsGrowthGroupsareNewRiver’ssmallgroupgatheringswhereadultsatvariouslifestagesmeetwithotherlike-mindedfolkstogrowthroughbiblestudyanddoinglife
together.Ourgroupscoordinator-Kim-wouldlovetoansweryourquestionsaboutGrowthGroups.
Wealsohaveservingopportunities,gatheringsformenandwomenspeciSically,retreatsandgetaways,andmanyotherministriestoonumeroustolisthere.
We’reconSidentthereissomethingforyouatNewRiver!Letusknowhowwecangetyouconnected!
Sincerely,
TheNewRiverStaff
AutoresponderOne,EmailFour:MeetTheStaff
HeyJohn,
We’vesentyouthreeemailsbynow,butwehaven’teventakenthetimetointroduceourselves.Herearesomeofourkeystaffpeoplewhowouldlovetoconnectwithyousometime:
[insertphoto]ArthurMaceLeadPastor
[insertphoto]JesseBowlesConnectionsPastors
[insertphoto]BryanBradshawExecutivePastor
[insertphoto]KimFrostGroupsCoordinator
[insertphoto]KevinLayneStudentPastor
[insertphoto]KyleWilkinsonWorshipPastor
[insertphoto]
MorganIvanChildren’sMinistryDirector
[insertphoto]ChuckScogginsCreativeDirector
[insertphoto]WayneBolinTechnicalDirector
Thereareotherstoo…andwecouldn’tdoeverythingwedoaroundherewithoutthem.YoucanSindafulllistofstaffonourwebsiteatnewriver.church/staff.
Ifyourunacrossanyofus,pleasesayhi!Wereallydiggettingtoknownewpeople.
Sincerely,
TheNewRiverStaff
AutoresponderOne,EmailFive:InfoAboutFollowingJesus
John,
Inapreviousemailwetoldyouwe’reallaboutconnectingpeopletoJesus.It’sourmission.It’sourpassion.Ifyouaren’taChristfollower,butwouldlikemoreinformationaboutwhatarelationshipwithhimlookslike,we’dlovetochatwithyouaboutit.
Don’tworry…we’renotheretopressureyouortrytotalkyouintoanything.Makingalife-changingdecisiontofollowJesusisabigdeal.Wejustwantedtoletyouknowthatwhenyou’reready,we’rehereforyou.
Youcancontactoneofourpastorsbycalling(123)456-7890orsimplyreplytothisemailandwe’llgetbacktoyou.
HeretoServe,
TheNewRiverStaff
AutoresponderOne,EmailSix:InfoAboutSmallGroups
HiJohn,
Webelieveoneofthebestwaystogrowinanyareaoflifeisbydoinglifewithotherpeople.Peoplewhocanencourage,stretch,andsupportoneanother.That’swhywerecommendthateveryonegetintoaGrowthGroup.
AGrowthGroupiseighttotenpeoplewhomeettogetheronceaweekinahomeoratourchurchtohangoutandstudytheBibletogether.Often,GrowthGroupsgettogetherforfunoutsideoftheweeklymeetingtimes.Mostpeopleingroupsformlifelongrelationshipsandsupportoneanotherthroughlife’smostsigniSicantmoments.
We’dlovetogetyouconnectedwithsomefolkswhoareinasimilarlifestageasyou.Ifyou’dlikemoreinformationaboutjoiningaGrowthGroup,replytothisemailandwe’llcontactyouwithmoreinformation.
TakeCare,
TheNewRiverStaff
AutoresponderOne,EmailSeven:GeneralFAQ’s
John,
Wegetalotofquestionsfrompeoplewhoarenewtoourchurch.Wethoughtwe’dsharetheanswerstosomeofthemhere…
Whydoesthepastorwearjeansinsteadofasuit?WetrytobeachurchwherelifechangeisemphasizedoverformalityandstufSiness.So,justasyouwanttodresscomfortablywhenyou’rewatchingfootballonSaturday,wewantfolkstobeabletodresscomfortablyonSunday.So,thepastorleadsthewaybydressingcasually.It’sallpartofourstrategytohelppeopleconnectwithJesus.Havingsaidthat…ifyou’remorecomfortablewearingasuittochurch,goforit.Youwon’tbealone.WanttowearshortsandSlip-Slops?You’llbeingoodcompanyinthoseaswell.
WhydoyouplaysongsImighthearontheradiotokickofftheservices?Partofourstrategyistohelppeople“leanin”andbeengagedinwhatwe’redoingonSundays.Ifplayingasongyouhearontheradiohelpswiththatstrategy,we’reallforit.
Whydoesmiddleschoolmeetseparatelythanhighschool?Eventhoughthetwoagegroupsareprettyclose,chronologically,therearealotofdifferencesbetweenthelife-stagesofmiddleschoolersandhighschoolers.Weofferseparateenvironmentssoouryouthteachersandleaderscanministertoeachgrouprightwheretheyareat.However,bothgroupsdothesamekindsofthings-singworshipsongs,hangoutinsmallgroups,engagewithgreatleaderswhocareatonaboutthem,heararelevantmessagefromtheyouthpastor,andmore!
Wheredoesmoneyfromtheofferinggo?Honestly,themoneythatpeoplefaithfullygivegoestowardalotofthings.We’rehappytounpackthatforyouifyouwantspeciSics,butknowthis:weknowthatyouworkhardforyourmoneyandweconsideritaprivilegethatpeopletrustusenoughtostewarditforministrypurposes.Weuseittoleadpeopleinworship,leadpeopleintoarelationshipwithJesus,toservetheneedyinourcommunity,andtohelppeoplethroughouttheworld.
WerealizethatmoneycanbeatouchysubjectthatisanobstacleforalotofpeopleingettingintoarelationshipwithJesus.Ifyoueverfeelthatway,we’dencourageyouNOTtogivetothechurch.WebelieveGodcaresmuchmoreaboutyourlifethanhedoesaboutyougivingmoneytothechurch.
HowcanIgetconnectedortakeanextstep?We’dlovetohelpyoutakethenextstepinyourspiritualjourney.OnesuggestionwouldbeforyoutojoinusatNextSteps-ourclassdesignedspeciSicallytohelpyoutakeSigureoutwhereyou’reheaded.ToSindoutwhenanupcomingNextStepswilltakeplace,checkouttheHappeningspageonourwebsite:newriver.church/events
HowcanImeettheleadpastorinperson?Ourleadpastor,Arthur,wouldlovetomeetyou.ThebestwaytocatchhimistostopbytheSirsttimeguesthospitalityroomatthetopofthestairsonaSundaymorningaftereachoftheservices.Or,ifthatdoesn’tworkforyou,simplyrespondtothisemailandwe’llhelpyougetameetingsetupwithhim.
Howdoyoupickwhichsongsyousinginworship?Ourcreativeteam,includingtheworshippastorandtheleadpastor,workstogethertopickoutsongsthatSitthethemeoftheserviceandhaveastronglyricalmessagetheybelievewillhelppeopletoworshipthroughmusic.TheyputalotoftimeandeffortintoSindingtherightsongforeachmomentinaservice.
HowcanIlearnmoreaboutwhatthechurchbelieves?YoucanSindoutmoreaboutourbeliefsbyvisiting[thislink]whichwilltakeyoutothebeliefspageonourwebsite.Ifyouhaveanyadditionalfollow-upquestionsaboutwhatwebelieve,ourmission,orhowweseektobepeopleinagrowingrelationshipwithJesus,pleasereplytothisemailandwe’lltrytoexplainmore.
Thoseareafewofourmostfrequentlyaskedquestions.Doyouhaveaquestionthatisn’tonthislist?Replytothisemailandaskus!WeloveansweringquestionsfrompeoplewhowanttoknowmoreaboutNewRiverChurch.
HereForYou,
TheNewRiverStaff
NewcomerClassAttendersAutoresponderTwo,EmailOne:ThanksForAttending
HiLauren,
WewantedtosendyouaquickemailtosaythankyouforattendingourNewcomerClassthispastSunday.Weknowyourtimeisvaluableandweconsideritanhonorthatyouchosetospendsomeofifwithus.
Asareminder,thethreebigideaswecoveredintheclasswere:(1) WewanteveryonetoattendonSundays.(2) Wehopeeveryonewillgetconnectedwithothersinasmallgroup.(3) Webelievethatbig-timespiritualgrowthhappenswhenpeoplebeginserving
others.
Wehopeyou’llconsidermakingacommitmenttowardthosethreeideas.
We’dlovetohearfromyou!Ifyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheclass,wouldliketogiveusfeedbackaboutyourexperience,orjustwanttochat,youcanreachPastorJesse-ourconnectionspastor-at(123)456-7890(or,justreplytothisemail).
We’dliketosendyouafewfollow-upemailsoverthenextcoupleofdaysjusttogiveyousomeadditionalinformationasafollowuptotheNewcomerClass.Ifyou’renotinterestedinthose,youcanclick[thislink]andunsubscribewithnohardfeelings.
Again,wefeelsohonoredyoujoinedusforthisclass.Letusknowhowwecanserveyouinthefuture.
Sincerely,
TheNewRiverStaff
AutoresponderTwo,EmailTwo:GettingConnected
HiLauren,
Wehopeyouarehavingagreatweek!
IfyourecallfromtheNewcomerClassyouattendedon[insertdate],oneofourbighopesforyouisthatyouwouldgetconnectedwithotherpeopleatNewRiver.OneofthebestwaystogetconnectedisbyjoiningaGrowthGroup.
GrowthGroupsareNewRiver’ssmallgroupgatheringswhereadultsatvariouslifestagesmeetwithotherlike-mindedfolkstogrowthroughbiblestudyanddoinglifetogether.Ourgroupscoordinator-Kim-wouldlovetoansweryourquestionsaboutGrowthGroups.
YoucanconnectwithKimbyreplyingtothisemailorbycontactingher:[email protected](123)456-7890
Ifyou’dlikemoreinformationaboutGrowthGroups,includingalistofgroupsthatmeetnearyou,youcanvisitourwebsite:newriver.church/groups.
TakeCare,
TheNewRiverStaff
AutoresponderTwo,EmailThree:GettingStartedWithServing
HiLauren,
OneofthethingswehearoftenatNewRiverishowpeoplehavebeenimpactedbyvolunteering.That’sright,whenpeoplebeginservingothers,theyseespiritualgrowthintheirownlife.Withthatinmind,wewantedtogiveyousomeno-obligationwaysyoucanjumpifyouwanttoexperiencethiskindofgrowthyourself.
GreeterGreetershelppeoplefeelwelcomeasthey’rewalkinginthedoorsatNewRiver.Thisjob,thoughsimpleandveryeasytodo,isoneofthemostimportantvolunteeropportunitieswehave.Peoplewilloftenmakeajudgementabouttheirentireexperienceforthewholedaybasedonhowtheyweregreetedatthedoor.
HostTeam/UsherAnothereasywaytogetyourfeetwetwithvolunteeringatNewRiverisbybeinganusher.UshershelppeopleSindaseatandhelppasstheofferingbucketsduringtheservice.Notechnicalskillsarerequiredandwe’lltrainyouonhowtodothisjob.Ourhostteamisanintegralpartofmakingserviceshappen.
ParkingLotParkingLotattendantshelppeopleSindaparkingspacewhentheyarriveatthechurch,helppeopleSindthequickestwaytoexit,andshuttlepeopleonthegolfcartiftheyparkedawayfromtheentrance.Whodoesn’tlovetodrivethegolfcart,right?
Thesearejustafewwaystoserve.WereallyencourageyoutoSindaplacethatmatchesyourskillsandpassionandbeginpouringintothelivesofothers.
Ifyou’dlikemoreno-pressureinformationabouttheseservingopportunities,orotherareasavailabletoserve,simplyreplytothisemailandwe’llhelpyouSindtherightSit.
Whenyouarereadyjumpin,here’stheprocesstogetstarted:(1) TryoutafewvolunteerareastoSindoneyoulike.(2) Committoservingtimesintheareayouliketomakesureit’stherightSit.(3) Getsomeadditionaltrainingtotakeyourvolunteertimetothenextlevel.(4) Giveusfeedbackabouthowwecanhelpmakeyourservingexperiencebetter.
DidImentionthatwehaveano-pressure,no-obligation,policy.Ifyoutryservingsomewhereandfeellikeit’snotagreatSit,wepromisewewillletyouoffthehookwithnohardfeelings.Wewanttoseeyouthrive!
BestWishes,
TheNewRiverStaff
AutoresponderTwo,EmailFour:You’reAttendingASmallGroup.NowWhat?
HiLauren,
HaveyoustartedattendingaGrowthGroupyet?(Ifnot,Silethisemailawayforlater.)Wewantedtogiveyouafewtipsonhowtogetthemostoutofattendingasmallgroup…
(1) Committoattendingregularly. We’vefoundthatpeoplewhoarenewtoasmallgroupcanoftenfeeloverwhelmedwithlearningthenames,personalities,etc.ofallthepeople.Thetemptationistojumpshipwithoutgivingitagoodchance.Weencourageyoutostickwithitandhanginforatleastafull“semester.”We’reconSidentyou’llgrowtolovethepeopleyou’re“doinglife”with.
(2)Doanactivitywithfolksinyourgroup. Findatimeoutsideofthestructuredgroupsettinganddosomethingfunwiththepeopleinyourgroup.Maybeit’sacook-out,bowling,oraneveningout.Gettingoutofthegroupsettingwithgiveyouachancetogettoknowthepersonalitiesofeveryoneinyournewgroup
(3)ComepreparedfortheBiblestudyanddiscussion.Youdon’thavetobeaBiblescholartobeneSitfromthegroupmeetings,butitdoeshelptohavedoneyour“homework”andarriveprepared.Taketimetodoalittlebitofextraresearchonthegrouptopic.Themoreeffortyouputin,themoreyou-andeveryoneelse-willbeneSit.
Nowthatyou’vestartedattendingaGrowthGroup,youareavaluablememberandyouhavesomethingimportanttoadd.Thegroupmeetingwillbebetterbecauseyouarepreparedandyouarepresent.WeareexcitedtoseehowGodusesthegrouptohelpleadyouintoagrowingrelationshipwithhim.
BestWishes,
TheNewRiverStaff
AutoresponderTwo,EmailFive:You’reServingonaMinistryTeam.NowWhat?
HiLauren,
Haveyoustartedservingonavolunteerteamyet?(Ifnot,Silethisemailawayforlater.)ServingonavolunteerteamisoneofthebestwaystogetconnectedatNewRiverChurchandagreatwaytogrowinyourrelationshipwithJesus.
Wewantedtotakeamomentandsendyouafewtipsonhowtogetthemostoutofserving:
1.Arriveearlyforyourservingtimeandgettoknowothersontheteam.Agreatwaytomakenewfriendsisbygettingtoknowothersservingalongsideyou.
2.Serveafewtimesbeforeyoudecideifyouliketheservingopportunity.Itmighttakealittlewhileforyoutogetthehangofit.Itwillprobablytakeyouafewconsecutivetimesservingtoconnectwithotherswiththeteam.Ifyoudon’tlovetheplaceyou’reservingafteratimeortwo,we’llbehappytoSindyouanotherplacetoserve,butwe’reconSidentthatifyougiveservingachance,you’llSindyourplacehere!
3.Jotdownalistofwhatyoulikeaboutserving,whatcouldbebetter,howtheministryleadercanhelpyou,etc.Shareitwithyourpointpersonandhelpusserveyoubetterasyouserveonavolunteerteam.OurgoalistomakeservingarewardingandfulSillingtimeforyou.Yourfeedbackhelpsusmakethatpossible.
4.Showupprepared.Whilemostservingopportunitiesdon’trequirealotofoutsidepreparation,whenyoushowupwiththerightmindsetandareaspreparedaspossible,itwillhelpyoutofeelmoreconSidentandtoenjoyservingmore.
Wearethrilledthatyou’vestartedvolunteeringatNewRiver.Ifthereisanythingwecandotohelpitgomoresmoothlyforyoupleasedon’thesitatetoletusknow.
BestWishes,
TheNewRiverStaff
EmailListSubscribersAutoresponderThree,EmailOne:Top10SermonMessages
HiAustin,
ThankyouforsigningupforourupdatesfromNewRiver.Wewillsendyouperiodicemailswithnewsabouteventsandthingsthatarehappeningaroundhere.Occasionallywe’llevensendyouinsiderinfothatourpastorwantsyoutoknow.
Overthenextfewweekswe’dlovetokick-startyouremailsubscriptionbysendingyousomeresourcesyoumightbeinterestedin.Forexample,herearethetoptensermonmessagesthathavebeenviewedonourwebsite:
1.Hitched-FriendsWithBeneSitshttps://vimeo.com/139173829
2.TheNakedTruthWeekOnehttps://vimeo.com/20763967
3.TheManSeries-WeakMadeStronghttps://vimeo.com/169446883
4.Morphhttps://vimeo.com/108731745
5.Overwhelmedhttps://vimeo.com/119133426
6.Margin-WhenTimeisLimitedhttps://vimeo.com/153689399
7.It’sSoWorthIthttps://vimeo.com/121042449
8.LiveDifferent-Caughthttps://vimeo.com/178810621
9.LifeHacks-SinglePurposehttps://vimeo.com/122329044
10.CirclesAreBetterThanRowshttps://vimeo.com/135824923
WeencourageyoutocheckoutoneormoreofthevideosabovetohelpyougrowinyourrelationshipwithJesus.
WearethrilledthatyousignedupforupdatesfromNewRiver.Wetakeyourtrustingivingusyouremailaddressseriouslyandpromisetoprotectit,nottoSPAMyou,andnottooverloadyouwithunnecessaryinfo.
Ifthere’sanythingwecandotoserveyou,pleasedon’thesitatetoletusknow(youcanjustreplytothisemail).
AllOurBest,
TheNewRiverStaff
EmailTwo-Top10RecommendedBooks
HiAustin,
Wehopeyou’rehavinganawesomeday!
AspromisedwewantedtosendyouafewresourcesthatmighthelpyouasyougrowinyourrelationshipwithJesus.Herearealistofourtoptenfavoritebooksthatyoumightbeinterestedin…
1.MereChristianitybyCSLewis
2.KnowingGodbyJ.I.Packer
3.ThePurposeDrivenLifebyRickWarren
4.TheFiveLoveLanguagesbyGaryChapman
5.MoreThanACarpenterbyJoshMcDowell
6.TheTreasurePrinciplebyRandyAlcorn
7.TheCaseforChristbyLeeStrobel
8.TheLifeYou'veAlwaysWantedbyJohnOrtberg
9.DesiringGodbyJohnPiper
10.PuttingAmazingBackIntoGracebyMichaelHorton
TheseareallbooksthatpeopleatNewRiverhavefoundhelpfulintheirspiritualjourney.Wehopeyou’llSindthemhelpfulaswell.
HappyReading!
TheNewRiverStaff
EmailThree-TopResources
HeyAustin,
Wehopeyou’reenjoyingyoursubscriptiontoNewRiver’semailupdates.
Todaywe’vegotanotherlistofresourcestohelpyougrow.Thislistismoreofahodgepodgeofsomeofourfavoritetools.
1. DaveRamsey’sFinancialPeaceUniversity FinancialPeaceUniversitywillhelpyoulearnhowtogetoutofdebtandliveSinanciallylikeyouneverhavebefore.
2. TheYouVersionBibleApp TheYouVersionBibleAppisaneasywaytoreadthebibleonyourphoneordevice.Italsoincludeshandybiblereadingplansandotherresourcestohelpyouspendtimeinscripture.
3. BibleGateway Ifyouwanttostudythebibleonyourdesktopcomputer,werecommendBibleGateway.com.Itincludeseasysearchtools,cross-referencingtools,andmoretohelpyoustudyGod’sword.
4. TheAndyStanleyLeadershipPodcast Thispodcastisaimedatchurchandbusinessleaders,butweSindthatitisreallyhelpfulforeveryone(afterall,we’reallleadingsomeone-evenifitisonlyourfamilyorourselves).
5. TheMichaelHyattPodcastSimilartothepodcastabove,MichaelHyatt’spodcastisaimedatbusinesspeopleorentrepreneurs,buthislifehacksarereallygreattohelpyouliveafullerlifeandmakespaceforwhat’simportant.
6. Passion2016-Salvation'sTideIsRisingWorshipCDSometimesyoujustneedsomegood,inspirationalworshipmusictolistento.AnythingfromPassionisgreat,butwe’rereallydiggingtheSalvation’sTideIsRisingCDrightnow.
7. OurWebsite-newriver.churchWe’realittlepartial,butwethinkonewebsiteyoushouldvisitoftentohelpyougrowinyourrelationshipwithJesusisours!
Hopefullytheseresourceshelpyouinsomeway.Ifyouhavearesourceyou’vefoundhelpfulinyourjourney,we’dlovetohearmoreaboutitsowecanshareitwithothers(justreplytothisemail).
Haveagreatday!
TheNewRiverStaff
EmailFour-Top10TipsforParentingGod'sWay
Austin,
Areyouaparent?Ifnot,feelfreetodiscardthisemailorforwardittosomeoneyouknow.
TodaywewantedtosendyouanemailwithsometipsforparentingGod’sway…
1. LooktotheBibleforinspiration.TheBiblehaslotsofgoodinformationaboutparenting.Fromteachingchildrenaboutforgivenessandlove,tohelpingyouknowaboutdiscipline,youcangetlotsofgoodinstructionfromscripture.
2. Settheexample.NothingwillhelpyourchildrenunderstandhowtoliveaGodlylifemorethanagoodexamplefromparents.Doesthismeanyouhavetobeperfect?No.Itmeansthatyoushouldconfesswhenyoumessupandaskforforgiveness,attendchurchregularly,andshowlotsgrace.Yourchildrenwillcatchonandfollowyourexample.
3. Strongmarriageaddsstability. Studiesshowoverwhelminglythatchildrenwhoareinatwo-parentfamily
wheretheparentsfocusontheirmarriageSirsthavemorestabilityandareabletoSlourish.Ifyouareasingleparent,prayforstrengthandwisdomtoshowrespectandavoidnegativeputdownsoftheparentthatisnolongerinthehome
4.Teachthedifferencebetweenneedsandwants,aswellasdelayedgratiSication.It’sokaytowanttoblessyourchildrenwithgiftsandnicethings,butsometimesthebestlessonwecanteachthemisthattheyneedtowait.Helpthemsaveuptobuythatspecialelectronic.Showthemhowtomanagemoneywell.
5.Don’tbeafraidofGodlydiscipline. Itseemscounterintuitive,butchildrenknowyoulovethemwhenyouproperly
disciplinethem.Makesureyouneverdisciplineoutoffrustrationoranger.Disciplineshouldbeaimedatgrowthandnotpunishment.Explaintoyourchildrenthatyoulovethemandyou’refollowingGod’sexamplewhenyouteachthemthewaytheyshouldgo.
Parentingcanbetrulychallenging.DoingitGod’swayisanevenbiggerchallenge,butit’soneofourgreatestcallings.Wewantyoutoknowwearecommitted,asachurch,tohelpingyoubethebestparentyoucanbe.Ifthereisanywaywecanhelpyou,anyquestionswecananswer,oranyresourceswecangetyou,ourChildren’sMinistrystaffwouldlovetoconnect(simplyreplytothisemailandsomeonewillbeintouch.
WithYou,
TheNewRiverStaff
EmailFive-TipsForGodlyMarriages
HiAustin,
HereistheSifthemailinourseriesofresourcestogetyoustarted.TodaywewantedtosendoversometipsonhowtohaveaGodlymarriage.
Whetheryouarecurrentlymarriedorlookingtogetmarriedsomeday,thebibletellsusthatmarriageisanimportantpartofthepeoplewhomakeupthechurch.
HereareafewtipsfromourstaffabouthowtodemonstratetheloveofGodinmarriage…
HaveARegularDateNightAtipthatcameupoverandoverwhenwesurveyedourstaffistheimportanceofhavingaregulardatenight.Coupleswhospendtimealonetogether–talkingaboutlife,dreamingaboutthefuture,andjustlisteningtooneanother–seemtohavehappiermarriagesandaremoresatisSied.
LearnYourSpouse’sLoveLanguageWehighlyrecommendGaryChapman’sbook,TheFiveLoveLanguages.Learninghowyourspousegivesandreceivesloveisvitaltoknowinghowto…well…showthemyourlove.
TryToOut-ServeYourSpouseOnelittlehacktoaddsomefuntoyourmarriageistotrytoout-serveyourspouse.Whenyou’refocusedonservingyourspouseinagenuineway,youremovemanyoftheproblemsmarriagesgenerallyexperience–suchasselSishness,lackofpatience,lackofkindness,etc.
RememberMarriageExistsToMakeYouHolyPerhapsthemostimportantlessontolearnaboutmarriageisthatitdoesn’texisttomakeyouhappy,butrathertomakeyouholy.Inmarriage,youhavetolearngrace,forgiveness,trust,andtheothervirtuesthatdrawyouclosertoChrist.Itisin
embracingtheinadequaciesinyourspouseandrealizingthatcompletionisonlyfoundinJesusthatcausesyoutotrulybehappyinmarriage.Godcreatedmarriagetodrawusclosetohimself.Weneedtorememberitexiststomakeusholy.
Whetheryouaremarriedorarelookingtogetmarriedsomeday,wehopethesetipsfromourstaffhelpyou.Ifwecaneverbearesourceforyouandyourmarriage,pleasedon’thesitatetoletusknow(youcanreplytothisemail).
BestWishes,
TheNewRiverStaff
EmailSix-TipsForSharingChristWithYourFamily,Friends,andCoworkers
HeyAustin,
Thisisthelastemailinoursetofresourcesandtipsforfolkswho’vesignedupforouremaillist.Fromhereon,it’llonlybenewsandupdates.
Oneofthemostimportantthing’swe’reinstructedtodoasfollowersofJesusistotellothersaboutourfaith.However,werealizethatcallingisintimidatingandchallengingformostpeople.BelowareafewtipsofhowyoucansharetheloveofChristwithyourfamily,friends,andcoworkers:
RandomActsofKindness
InvestandInviteTrulycareaboutpeople.
BeAuthenticDon’tbeafraidtoshareyourfaults.It’sokayifyoudon’thavealltheanswers.Youdon’thavetobeabiblescholar.
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ThisresourcewasinspiredbyMichaelLukaszewski’sproduct,12EmailsForYourChurch.Init,hegivesyou12,ready-to-useemailsthatyoucansendyourchurch.Hisemailsarecompletelydifferentfromtheautorespondersinthisresource,buttheyareextremelyeffective.Youcangetyourfreecopyof12Emailsathttp://churchfuel.com.