To Everyone In St. Andrew’s Church Family,
In the congregational survey that was conducted in October/November, you identified the most pressing concern of our church. It was, by a wide margin, the need to grow the congregation, with emphasis on attracting younger members and families with young children.
Attached is an outline of a plan that was put together by an “idea committee” which brainstormed ideas to grow the congregation.
The “idea committee” was made up of the following people:
Cindy and Brad Hina
Amber and George Lesko
Michal and Jason Chlebowski
Shelia Broman
Dave Kasper
Helen and Bob Toothman
The attached outline was reviewed by the Pastor, the Mutual Ministry Committee and the Church Council. Their comments and suggestions are included.
It was recommended that we need four committees to execute the plan:
A media team (both digital and traditional media)
A team that works with our Day School
A team that contacts new families in the area, expands our reach geographically, and works with local clubs and organizations
A team that welcomes visitors and potential new members and stays in touch with them
Each of the committees needs three to four members. We are working with Robert Morris to get help with our digital, website and social media needs. We already have some volunteers from St. Andrew for our teams, but we need more people who want to see our church start to grow again. Teams will meet once a month to plan and exchange ideas and information. If you want to help grow our congregation and help us become more involved in community activities, like the St. Andrew Day School and the Community Food Bank, please contact:
Helen and Bob Toothman
(412) 262-1061
A PLAN TO INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP
OF ST. ANDREW LUTHERAN CHURCH
OBJECTIVE
In the next three months, complete and begin to implement a plan to attract at least 12 new individuals and/or families (especially those with young children) a year to attend church services and other church-related activities at St. Andrew. When it is appropriate, invite them to become members of the church.
STRATEGIES: WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
1. Increase the awareness of St. Andrew in Moon and surrounding areas --- promote the church’s vision and mission, our involvement in community activities, our day school program, and events and special activities designed for children, families and seniors.
2. Emphasize our strengths --- our support of, and contributions to, the Community Food Bank, St. Andrew’s Day School, and other church and community- related events and activities.
3. Use digital media to reach young adults, young families and children.
4. Work with the Day School to encourage students, parents and their families and friends to visit St. Andrew for children-oriented and social events held during and after school, and as part of St. Andrew’s church services.
5. Reach out to families that are moving into our area.
6. Supplement our limited manpower and capabilities by partnering with like-minded groups and organizations (Robert Morris, Moon school system, clubs and organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, etc.) that have similar interests in serving groups in our community.
TACTICS: THE TOOLS WE NEED TO USE
1. DIGITAL MEDIA
WEBSITE
Find outside help, if possible, to provide a format, graphics and content that will distinguish our website and make it more appealing to younger families and children.
Content could include notices/updates of weekly events and upcoming activities (with appropriate graphics), videos of the Pastor’s children’s sermons shown on the Moon Access Channel, day school information ---themes, activities, events, projects, etc.
(Check with Robert Morris to see if there is a way for graphics/digital media students to earn credits or internships. Contact the Chamber of Commerce and American Marketing Association to see if they can recommend volunteers. Contact low-cost graphics artists and web designers).
SOCIAL MEDIA.
Develop and link appropriate forms of social media and our website. Investigate the uses, opportunities and potential offered by Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc. For example, can we post “recipes for busy moms”, “How to do” craft ideas, etc. that relate to young mothers and kids? Provide updates on church events and activities on a regular basis.
2. TRADITIONAL MEDIA
Develop stories and press releases that promote our special strengths and activities --- our work with the Community Food Bank and soon-to-be pro bono work on finances, legal services and help with job searches; St. Andrew Day School; special events and activities, charitable works, etc.
(In Community, Allegheny West, Moon Access TV, Allegheny Times, Pittsburgh Post Gazette (West edition), etc.
Consider using cost-effective advertising such as small space ads, listings in sports calendars, billboards, large signs/banners on our church property facing Beaver Grade Road, etc.
3. DAY SCHOOL PARENTS/CHILDREN
Consider a wide range of activities:
· Events that kids can perform at church, or at night --- bell choir, other musical activities, plays, talent shows, etc.
· A series of pre-school meetings for moms with younger children
· Social time for mothers to meet during the day
· Periodic meetings with both mothers and fathers
4. EARLY CONTACT WITH NEW FAMILIES IN THE AREA
Develop a program and materials for local real estate agencies. Promote St. Andrew --- our day school; Community Food Bank and other community involvement; programs for seniors; other programs, activities and events.
Consider small space ads in local publications, use social media to introduce St. Andrew to new families.
5. EXPAND OUR GEOGRAPHIC FOOTPRINT
There may be good opportunities in surrounding areas to attract new members ---Hopewell and Beaver County, Imperial and West Allegheny, etc.--- either because they lack a Lutheran church, or because there will be a strong influx of new people coming into the area because of the Shell ethane cracker plant and its related businesses.
5. WORK WITH LOCAL CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Offer meeting space to local women’s groups, clubs and organizations, communicate our events and activities to them on a regular basis, offer to partner with them in promoting community, charitable and fund-raising events.
6. MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE PASTOR’S TIME
The Pastor should be the “face of the church”. He should be our “out front” person --- meeting community leaders, school leaders, maintaining contact with key people at Robert Morris University, real estate agencies, the Moon Access channel, political leaders, etc. He should also help to lead the new member effort and periodically keep the congregation up-to-date and engaged in these efforts.
7. CREATE A “VISITOR TEAM”
Create a team that will welcome and shepherd visitors and new families --- introduce them to other church members, provide follow-up visits, invite them to church activities and events and, in general, make them feel welcome and wanted. Pastor Mort should make the initial contact and introduce them to one or more of the team members.
8. CHANGES IN THE CHURCH
Consider making physical changes in the church to make it more welcoming for younger adults and families --- a “Crying Room” for young children, a “coffee house” for pre- and post- church services and for day school parents, etc.