Is A “Personal Visit” Really That Important?

By John Morrison

Why a personal visit? Why not just ask for volunteers and hold group meetings? A major reason is the church has just completed small focus group meetings and listened to member’s concerns and ideas. Now is the opportunity to hold private meetings educating families one on one regarding the importance of the capital campaign to the church’s future and to hear individual concerns many people are reluctant to share in group settings. Also, with a private, personal visit, individualized asking amounts bring accountability and encourage stretch giving in order to reach or exceed the campaign goal. When friends visit friends, good things happen.

Church capital campaigns are intended to educate and unify the congregation. A personal visit from one or two friends in the church who demonstrate their commitment and enthusiasm regarding the future of the church brings a shared vision for what is truly important in our lives. Initially, some people may appear and act uneasy to actually visit with a church member and discuss money. However, once visitors understand they will receive excellent training, get to choose who they will visit and can even have another church member or spouse accompany them, most people enthusiastically embrace the process. Sometimes people being visited may also initially be nervous and uncomfortable, but once the opening prayer and church mission statements are reviewed as written in the brochure, almost everyone “gets it”. The closing prayer dignifies the whole process and returns the meeting to the real reason for the visit.

Visitors should always be proud of their church and their task when presenting a color glossy brochure with the needs and opportunities detailed in an organized professional approach. No one will be “strong armed” during the visits but instead will be asked to prayerfully and thoughtfully consider making a pledge. Congregants visited will have a chance to join in prayer both before and after the visit and will be thanked for allowing the church to share their vision and they will recognize the important role they have in the church.

Finally, church members often feel flattered and respected when church leaders want to visit with them and discuss the vision and church needs and opportunities while asking for their help with the capital campaign.