3 Reasons New Mover Outreach Doesn't Work.

You have probably tried yourself to reach new movers without much success or heard from others the horrors of trying to reach this seemingly prime group of individuals and families.

So why doesn't it work?

Reason #1: Bad Lists.

This is not only the number one reason for not working, but also the number one reported reason from churches. They mail to or go to a home and the person is not new.

They just refinanced, added a phone line, or moved from a couple of neighborhoods over.

Bad lists will kill your outreach to new movers. Not because of how they perceive you, but what it does to your members volunteering to go visit them. It is also disheartening for you to receive returned mail and phone calls to your office letting you know they are not new.

The Solution:

1. Make sure you use a provider that removes those who are not actually new to the area. Ask them if they have a verified previous address so that they know the person is actually new.

2. No list is perfect. And new movers are the hardest to keep accurate. Expect 10% or fewer to be incorrect on a great list. With that information in mind, set the expectations of your visiting teams and yourself so that you won't be discouraged.

3. Turn what could be a negative into a positive. Prepare your teams with an appropriate response if they meet someone who is not a new move. Ask the person at home if you can still leave the gift and information and if they have any needs that the church could help with or any prayer requests for needs in their lives.

Reason #2: One and Done.

Sending one mailing or making one visit makes sure that your new mover outreach will not work.

How many times have you purchased something based on the first time you saw it?

Imagine what it takes to get someone to make the decision to get out of bed on Sunday, go to an event with a bunch of strangers, all with the predetermined mindset that they probably won't like the event or the people there? Why bother?

The fact is and you have probably experienced that they won't bother, unless they get to know you and your people first.

The Solution:

Churches who contact new movers at least 3 times see a significant increase in first time visitors and eventual members over those who contact only 1 or 2 times.

The optimal number is 5. And you want to mix up the type of contacts. Try the following:

1. Send a mailing letting them know someone will be in their area to drop off a gift and some information about your ministries.

2. A few days after they would have received the mailing, send your teams out to give a gift and some information (gifts include local coupons and info, goodies from the local bakery, chips and salsa, movie pack with popcorn and a movie that will minister to them).
   
   While at the personal visit, invite them to an event like a barbeque and ask if you can call them with more information (this gives you permission for the next contact). A specific event invitation works much better than the general "why don't you come to church sometime."

3. Call and/or send a note reminding them of the next barbeque.

   Most people like to share their specialty, so suggest that they can bring a side or dessert if they want to.
   
   These events are also great for members and visitors to get together and for the new movers to get to know others in the church (make sure there is something fun for kids and teenagers).

4. Have a drawing for a great gift they will actually like (this again gives you permission for the next contact).

5. After they have attended, send a note or make a call thanking them for coming. For those who didn't come, send a mailing inviting them to the next event.

For those who attend an event like the barbeque, treat them as visitors. Continue to contact them throughout the year, even if they haven't filled out a card on Sunday morning. These contacts that you have made can have a lasting impression on their lives if you continue communicating with them.

Reason #3: Attitude.

This final reason can trump all of your careful planning and the steps given above. Your attitude trickles down to the members and teams that are making the personal visits.

Is it worth it? Was it worth the limited time that Jesus had to go visit someone like Zacchaeus? He could have probably saved a crowd of thousands in the time it took for Him to stay at the house of Zacchaeus.

If you are unsure about the worth of taking time and effort to reach these homes, your teams will be unsure as well and it will show when they are talking to those new mover individuals and families.

The Solution:

1. Before you have a meeting with your teams, pray about the environment you are creating and the excitement about reaching those homes and lives.

2. Then pray with your teams about the opportunities that God will provide and how they can be ready to be used.

3. Afterwards, celebrate planting those seeds and share stories of what happened when making visits.

 
For more information on new movers in your neighborhoods, please go to www.mappingcenter.org/newneighbors or call 888.627.7997.