Keys to Reviving Inactive Church Members
11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. 16 From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.
Ephesians 4:11-16 HCSB
This is a rich text with much to help a church to thrive. Notice the emphasis on "all, every, and each." We are prone to bemoan unfaithful members and those who have disconnected. However, the scripture puts the responsibility on the active participants to be equipped to minister to "each individual part." The task is not complete "until we all reach unity in the faith." Once someone leaves, the church still has responsibility to do all they can to bring the one who has strayed to maturity as well as the faithful members. This emphasis is not a substitution for evangelism but you find it to be often neglected. Here is an outline I put together some time ago called "Love Them Back" and is a good source to remind you of the keys to reviving inactive church members.
Let them know that you care for them as a person first and foremost.
(“People do not care what you know if they do not know that you care.”)
Observe and study your membership lists constantly.
(Track attendance for every member. Be familiar with attendance patterns of members. This is most easily accomplished in small groups.)
Visit with them in person if it is possible.
(Make face-to-face contact to let them know of your care. Discover, pray for, and minister to their needs. This could be in your home, their home, in the community, or at a restaurant.)
Equip your small Bible study groups to be assertive in reaching out and following up.
(Be cautious about being too passive. Read Luke 14:15-24. Give attention to verse 23. How assertive should the group be?)
Talk to them regularly.
(Be their friend regardless of their attendance pattern. Friends communicate regularly. Technology can help but be sure it is direct and personal and not mass communication.)
Have someone survey those who are inactive to determine common factors.
(This will require transparency. Are you willing to have the weaknesses of the church or group exposed in order to grow and minister more effectively?)
Evaluate the life and morale of your groups.
(No one wants to attend a dead Bible study group! Is there a good spirit? Is the Bible study delivered with enthusiasm, with interaction, and with age-appropriate methodology?)
Make sure they are getting prayer support.
(Who is praying for those that are inactive? Read and apply Proverbs 21:1.)
Build a relationship regardless of the response.
(Does the church exist only for those who attend? Not according to Ephesians 4. How can the maintenance or development of a relationship be used to win someone back?)
Assign all members to an active member.
(Remember that "everyone's responsibility often turns out to be nobody's responsibility." Designate one or more active members to those who are inactive.)
Contact absentees immediately before they become inactive.
(Don’t allow anyone to miss two consecutive weeks without contact. They’re probably not mad. But if they are it will be easier to deal with now than later.)
Kill the temptation to give up.
(Read Luke 15:1-7. Give attention to verse 4. How long should we reach out?)
