Date

Task

Who's Responsible?

August 24, 2008

10+ weeks before

Decide to have an Invite a Friend Sunday. Develop a budget for mailings, brunch/luncheon/reception, etc.

Vestry, Clergy, Evangelism Committee

August 31, 2008

9 weeks before

Select the Leadership Team members. Team members will meet several times for planning.

Vestry and Clergy

September 7, 2008

8 weeks before

Arrange for any special resource persons who will be involved in preparation or in the Invite a Friend Sunday service.

Invite a Friend Coordinator, Worship Coordinator, Clergy

September 14, 2008

7 weeks before

Leadership Team meets to look at overall plan and key components of the Invite a Friend Sunday concept. Each member’s role is discussed and projects are assigned.

Invite a Friend Coordinator

September 21, 2008

6 weeks before

Announce Invite a Friend Sunday activities during worship services.

Mail or distribute Letter 1 to all members and regular participants.

Leadership Team meets for prayer.

Recruit individuals to serve as telephone callers to all members and active participants.

Recruit a group to make the bread or cookies for the Friendship Outreach.

Invite a Friend Coordinator

Publicity Coordinator and Church Secretary

Invite a Friend Coordinator

Publicity/Calling Coordinator

Friendship Outreach Coordinator

September 28, 2008

5 weeks before

Persons are selected to make the phone calls and are provided with scripts.

Leadership Team meets for prayer.

Place article in the church newsletter and bulletin concerning Invite a Friend Sunday and indicate how this ties into the church’s vision. Continue these articles until Invite a Friend Sunday.

Publicity/Calling Coordinator

Invite a Friend Coordinator

Publicity/Calling Coordinator

October 5, 2008

4 weeks before

The clergy prepares the Sunday service to reflect an outreach emphasis. Each church member is encouraged to get involved in Invite a Friend Sunday by completing the Circle of Friends form that is included in the bulletin.

Select the type of meal to be served and ask needed persons to help.

Callers begin making telephone calls to those they’ve been assigned, telling them about Invite a Friend Sunday and encouraging them to begin thinking and praying for people they plan to invite. Also tell them about the Friendship Outreach which will take place the Sunday before the event.

Contact persons for baking of bread or cookies.

Make plans for follow-up contacts.

Leadership Team meets for prayer and reporting.

Sunday School classes will begin study in coordination with the event.

Clergy

Fellowship Coordinator

Callers who are assigned.

Friendship Outreach Coordinator

Follow-up Coordinator

Invite a Friend Coordinator

Christian Education Director

October 12 and 19, 2008

2 to 3 weeks before

Each caller telephones the people he/she was assigned, to obtain names of the guests they will bring, the total number who will attend the fellowship time, and  how many cookies/loaves of bread will be needed

Send Letter 2 to members, encouraging them to participate in Invite a Friend Sunday and in the follow-up of guests after Invite a Friend Sunday.

Do skits, dramas as planned. (See Skit 1 and Skit 2 for scripts and context.)

Callers who are assigned

Office Staff or Volunteers

Worship Coordinator

October 26, 2008

1 week before

Callers turn in all reservations to the Publicity Calling Coordinator by the deadline. Publicity/ Calling Coordinator then relays the total number to the Fellowship Coordinator for the meal plans and Friendship Outreach Coordinator for baking bread or cookies.

Leadership Team meets for prayer, planning, and reporting after the final reservations are in.

Prepare bread or cookies.

Bread/cookies are made available for pickup and distributed to guests with invitations.

Make final set-up and food preparation arrangements.

Publicity/Calling Coordinator

Invite a Friend Coordinator

Assigned Volunteers

Friendship Outreach Coordinator

Fellowship Coordinator

November 2, 2008

Invite a Friend Sunday

This is the day! Make sure you’re prepared for many visitors. Plan adequately for extra ushers and nursery help to serve the large crowd.

The entire congregation

Sunday afternoon or Monday afternoon

Make personal contacts in the homes of the Invite a Friend Sunday guests.

Divide up in teams of two and pay a 10 to 15 minute drop-in visit at the guests’ homes.

Follow-Up Coordinator

Weeks following Invite a Friend Sunday

Welcome the guests back in various ways. Extend invitations to Sunday School, small groups, athletic teams, etc. Keep praying that your church will be effective in its outreach and incorporation of new members.

Evangelism Committee with help from Leadership Team

Next meeting of Vestry

Reflect on Invite a Friend Sunday, evaluating it in light of the purpose and goals of your church. If it's proven to be an effective ministry, plan another Invite a Friend Sunday for next year. Provide the Diocesan Office with your evaluations.

Vestry