5 Key Ingredients that Motivate a First Step Toward Community

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Here are today's questions:

What are the key ingredients that motivate unconnected people to take a first step toward community?

Is there a recipe that helps motivate a toe-in-the-water? What is it?

Do you need all of the ingredients? Or do you just need 3 or 4 of the key ingredients?

Just like any other recipe, I think there is almost always a nearly perfect mix. The right ingredients, in the right proportions, prepared in just the right way, add up to deliver the results you desire. And I think when you want your congregation to be connected in community (because you know genuine community is the optimal environment for life-change), you get serious about the recipe!

When you want your congregation to be connected in community (because you know genuine community is the optimal environment for life-change), you get serious about the recipe!. Share on X

5 key ingredients that motivate a first step toward community

1. Senior pastors' stories about their own need for community.

This may be a no-brainer, but all of us should know that no one is trying anything new that the senior pastor isn't already doing. The evidence is in on this ingredient. You might be able to get by without one or two of the other ingredients...but not this one.

This may be a no-brainer, but all of us should know that no one is trying anything new that the senior pastor isn't already doing. Share on X

See also, Note to Senior Pastors: Authentic Community Begins with You.

2. Compelling stories from satisfied customers.

"I use ______.  You should too!"  There is a reason that marketers love the power of a great testimonial. When the testimonial comes from someone who looks and sounds like me, I am much more likely to give it a try.

See also, Gather Stories as If Lives Are in the Balance.

3. First steps that are easy, obvious and strategic.

Unconnected people can be motivated by senior pastors and the compelling stories of satisfied customers, but first steps must still seem reasonable in their eyes. It doesn't matter what you and I think is an easy first step. If the unconnected people in your congregation (and crowd) don't feel like the step you're offering is doable...it's not.

Unconnected people can be motivated by senior pastors and the compelling stories of satisfied customers, but first steps must still seem reasonable in their eyes. Share on X

See also, How Would You Rate the First Steps Out of Your Auditorium?

4. First studies that are designed with unconnected people in mind.

Not only must the first steps offered be easy, obvious, and strategic...the topic must be something that matters to unconnected people. Ever wondered why some church-wide campaigns work better than others? This ingredient is at the heart of the issue. Choose the right study, the invitation is accepted. Choose the wrong study and the invitation is dead on arrival. Never had a chance.

See also, Does Your Topic Connect with Your True Customer?

5. The sense that everyone else is doing it.

This may not seem like it is a big deal or should be a big deal...but it is a big deal. This is why it's important to get everyone on board when you're launching a church-wide campaign. It's also why it's important to eliminate competing programs (or at least don't promote them) during intentional efforts to encourage everyone to take a baby step and take a group for a test-drive.

See also, Small Group Ministry Roadblock #2: A Bloated Belong and Become Menu.

The remaining question? Are all five of these ingredients essential? Do you think there's a missing ingredient?

What do you think? Want to argue? Have an ingredient to add? You can click here to jump into the conversation.

Image by Shaw Girl

2 Comments

  1. Andrew Mason on February 26, 2014 at 11:30 am

    This is great stuff for building a small group “culture.”



  2. markchowell on February 26, 2014 at 11:33 am

    Essential.

    mark