Customer Evangelism
The most effective evangelism occurs when one person tells another about God or about a church where God is alive.
Word of mouth
Word of mouth has an authenticity that advertising campaigns cannot equal. There is no better "salesperson" than a satisfied "customer." Your first and best step in encouraging positive word of mouth is giving members something positive to talk about with their friends.
Conversely, negative word of mouth from a dissatisfied "customer" can undermine your best efforts.
Be pro-active about encouraging authentic positive word of mouth. For example, schedule events to which satisfied customers can invite friends. Form open-door groups, classes and community-service activities that will welcome a member's friend.
Web tools
Make high-quality invitational materials available via the Web for members to forward to friends.
Provide Web site tools that enable members to add friends to church's e-mail list for its regular newsletter and targeted messages. (For example, a Young Adults list for invitations and news especially suitable for Young Adults.)
On your e-mail newsletter, include a button "Forward to a Friend."
Acknowledge Efforts
Be sure to publicly acknowledge efforts that members make to invite or engage others. This will establish an environment that affirms customer evangelism and enables members to get beyond their normal shyness about sharing faith with friends.
