RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering?
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[Poll]
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-First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering?
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| Mr. Mrs. Miss |
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| Name |
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| Address |
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| Phone |
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| Cell phone |
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| E-mail address |
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| First time visitor? |
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| New Resident? |
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| Returning visitor? |
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| Would like a visit? |
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| Prayer request? |
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| Would like to know more about this church? |
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| Would like to know more about being a Christian? |
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| Guest of: |
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| Class or service attended |
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| How did you hear about us? |
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| Do you attend church regularly? |
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| What church? |
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| Age |
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| Age group (13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+) |
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| Marital status (single, married, divorced, widowed) |
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| Children's names (4 lines) |
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| Children's names (6 lines) |
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| Children's ages |
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| I don't fill out first time attender cards |
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| Other |
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Total Votes : 335
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(last vote on : 4/28/2008 2:53:32 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )
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RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you ... - 3/27/2008 10:59:08 AM
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pbaribeault
Posts: 1124
Joined: 4/29/2005
Status: offline
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We are a small Church, so visitors are obvious. The Pastor keeps an eye out and chit-chats with them before service. Then before the service, He either introduces them, "Back there we have Jane and Joe visiting us this week." Or else asks someone who they came with to introduce them, "Sam, would you introduce your friend there?"
As for gleaning information from a check, actually that's mandatory, because a donation given by check must be given a charitable receipt, which has to be mailed to the address on the check. However, it's a bit intrusive to use that information beyond that obligation to send out the receipt - although I can imagine why a Church or organization might assume that someone who makes a donation is interested in continuing information from that ministry.
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RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you ... - 3/27/2008 11:39:39 AM
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WhiteRoseBlessings
Posts: 26757
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Here, but subject to change . . . stay tuned!
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: pbaribeault
As for gleaning information from a check, actually that's mandatory, because a donation given by check must be given a charitable receipt, which has to be mailed to the address on the check. I didn't realize this; thank you for the explanation.
quote:
ORIGINAL: pbaribeault
However, it's a bit intrusive to use that information beyond that obligation to send out the receipt - although I can imagine why a Church or organization might assume that someone who makes a donation is interested in continuing information from that ministry. Hmmm . . . I'm not sure if I agree with that or not . . . I give money to every church I visit; it's never occurred to me that donating money could be construed as an interest in receiving mailings.
But it does reiterate to me to just make sure to give cash from now on.
quote:
ORIGINAL: trainfan
I would say whatever you end up doing with your first time visitor cards don't make the first time visitor embarassed to be there or fill it out.
This is excellent! 
Lisa - it's no easy task you've got. Me? when I visit a church, I want as little fanfare as possible. I do not want to be publicly introduced (whether that be by a friend or through a deacon, etc.). I wouldn't mind being privately introduced to a perhaps a couple of people; but not to be introduced to the entire church during church services. I don't like to fill out forms of any kind. I'm simply visiting a church. My reasons may be because I'm there with a friend who is a member or that I'm looking for a church. But my reasons are private.
I like genuine warm and friendly individual welcomes, but I like that anyway; not just because I'm a visitor.
On the other hand, some people would feel slighted if they weren't treated "extra special" when they visit a church.
Some people love to fill out forms and really do want the church to have their information.
It's a very delicate balance, isn't it?
_____________________________
Crazy Toy Lady
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Please Help Me Identify These Toys.
Updated 7/17/08
#160 - #205
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RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you ... - 3/27/2008 12:27:21 PM
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dance4joy
Posts: 2260
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Indiana
Status: offline
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I wouldn't mind answering most of those questions, with an exception of the following:
Age (I like the age group idea better)
E-mail (I get too much e-mail as it is)
Names of children (ages maybe but names seems a little too nosey)
What church do you go to? and. . .
Do you go to church regularly? (these both seem a bit nosey)
_____________________________
Isn't she a cutie?
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RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you ... - 3/27/2008 8:28:25 PM
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thomas2008
Posts: 312
Joined: 9/10/2007
From: Potterville, Michigan
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God
I found the company that does our church bulletins....with the response tabs with the bulletins....
http://gospelpublishing.com/store/startcat.cfm?cat=sBULLETIN&mastercat=&path=sBULLETIN
Their not bad priced either. 50 bulletins for $4.10 or 100 for about 8 something. Obviously the prices would vary depending on the size of your congregation. They have other stuff there too that you might find an interest in for your church.
Like I said, the response tabs on the bulletins are really helpful. Their good for keeping track of attendance, visitors. People can even put prayer requests down. Also the tabs will ask basically the things that you had in the poll.
_____________________________
Warmest Regards,
Thomas Winters
quote:
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence -- it is force." - George Washington
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RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you ... - 3/28/2008 8:52:41 AM
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Consecrated2God
Posts: 4861
Joined: 4/4/2005
From: Jesus Land
Status: online
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Much better! Thanks!
You all have given us so much help. My husband came on and read all that you have written. Thanks for letting us pick your brains!
_____________________________
<--My engagement picture. I was 16, he was 17 in this photo.
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RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you ... - 3/31/2008 11:28:04 AM
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redeemedsaint
Posts: 520
Joined: 12/5/2005
Status: offline
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I don't have a problem with answering these questions. It just helps the staff to get to know someone better who visits their church.
_____________________________
Woody
Get off the track cause the freight train is coming - Coach Bobby Lee Duke from Facing the Giants
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RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you ... - 3/31/2008 8:09:21 PM
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HisLamb26
Posts: 370
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline
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I would most certainly NOT return to a church that sent out unannounced visitors!
You know Consecrated...You might want to add Ms. or just leave the title thing blank. Most folks will fill out the salutation of choice before their name IF they prefer one at all. (ie...don't force it on people). IMO just a name slot would do. Nothing personal, but I think it rude to ask for marital status of female visitors only. (Which is in essence what you are doing by including Miss or Mrs for females, but only Mr. for males.) Some folks would find the implication of only questioning females regarding their marital status to be sexist.
Also-some people don't like to give up their age, their childrens information, etc. I think just the basics are best on a visitor card. Name, Address, Phone, Email, Would you like to be put on our mailing list? Would you like a call or visit from the Pastor? Prayer Requests? and then a spot for "additional information you would like us to know" with some blank lines. If you ask for too much information up front it may turn folks off/come off as a hard sell.
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RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you ... - 3/31/2008 8:13:15 PM
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HisLamb26
Posts: 370
Joined: 4/17/2005
Status: offline
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Also-Make sure you have pencils available where the visitor cards go, and have the deacons check the pews every week before service to make sure they are well stocked with cards and pencils. ESPECIALLY the last few rows, where visitors are VERY likely to sit. 
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RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you ... - 3/31/2008 9:13:23 PM
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thomas2008
Posts: 312
Joined: 9/10/2007
From: Potterville, Michigan
Status: offline
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At my church we give each visitor a welcome packet which includes information about our church, how to become a Christian, it's got a CD of the Pastor welcoming the new visitors. At New Hope, we want our church to a be place where people will come back to. We work from the inside out, not the outside in. For example, if someone visiting walks in with a Budweiser shirt on, well most churches would be at whits end. At our church we welcome people no matter what. We accept people as Jesus would.
We don't turn away any visitors. Jesus said that he didn't come for the righteous, but for the unrighteous. Only those who are sick need to be healed. At New Hope we are a church where people can find healing and be restored.
_____________________________
Warmest Regards,
Thomas Winters
quote:
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence -- it is force." - George Washington
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RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you ... - 3/31/2008 9:19:55 PM
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Consecrated2God
Posts: 4861
Joined: 4/4/2005
From: Jesus Land
Status: online
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quote:
You know Consecrated...You might want to add Ms. or just leave the title thing blank. Most folks will fill out the salutation of choice before their name IF they prefer one at all. (ie...don't force it on people). IMO just a name slot would do. Nothing personal, but I think it rude to ask for marital status of female visitors only. (Which is in essence what you are doing by including Miss or Mrs for females, but only Mr. for males.) Some folks would find the implication of only questioning females regarding their marital status to be sexist.
I'm pretty sure that the form that had the Mr./Mrs./Miss part also had a marital status question, so I'm pretty sure the former question was not to determine marital status, just preferred title. Of course, there are many other titles besides those three, so it's pretty limiting. I've seen forms before that have several options. I think just a simple space for name would suffice.
_____________________________
<--My engagement picture. I was 16, he was 17 in this photo.
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RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you ... - 3/31/2008 9:44:43 PM
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Consecrated2God
Posts: 4861
Joined: 4/4/2005
From: Jesus Land
Status: online
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Hop over here, Shar-Mar, and we'll fix you right up!
_____________________________
<--My engagement picture. I was 16, he was 17 in this photo.
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