The First 48...Why This Time Frame is So Important in Children's Ministry

One of my wife's favorite shows is 48 hours. Have you watched it?  Police and crime scene investigators have 48 hours to identify the suspect. After 48 hours, their chance of catching the criminal goes down dramatically. 

48 hours is an important time frame in the children's ministry world as well. 

Guests who receive a follow-up within 24 hours are 85% likely to return.

Following up with first-time guest families within 48 hours of their first visit dramatically increases the chance of a second visit and retention.

If you're waiting until Thursday or Friday to follow up with guests, you might want to consider bumping up your follow up time frame to 48 hours. Here are some tips and a timeline to use when following up with guests.

Day 1: Sunday

• Collect data: gather filled-out cards and digital check-ins on Sunday after the last service. 

  
  

• Send a text message: send out a welcoming text. Thank them for coming and offer to pray for any needs they may have.

• Offer to meet them for coffee or a meal that week. Believe it or not, most of the time they will accept your invitation. I have found that if you can get them to meet you for a coffee or meal, you will be able to connect with them at a high level and they will return the next Sunday. I have personally seen this work time and time again. 

  
  

The clock is ticking. Keep going. 

Day 2: Monday 

• Enter contact information into your data base. 

  
  

• Send an email with basic church information and a link to plan their next visit.  

  
  

• Assign a staff member or high level volunteer to make a personal call to the family. 

  
  

• Send a handwritten post card to the children. 

  
  

• Offer the kids a free gift on their second visit. I have found from personal experience if you will make the gift a t-shirt with your kids' ministry logo on it, your return rate will go up to 38%. 

  
  

You've got 24 hours left. Keep pursuing them.

Day 3: Tuesday 

• Call them. Have a pastor or connect-team member call the family to say hello and answer any questions they may have. Keep this call casual and not high-pressure. 

  
  

• Leave a message. Chances are you will get sent to voicemail. Leave a friendly voicemail if they do not answer.

  
  

Follow this 48 hours plan and you will see more guests return and get plugged in.  

Your turn. What do you do to follow-up with guests? Share your thoughts and insight in the comment section below.