Fellowshipping Investigators and New Members Effectively

"Great sermons have been preached in this church by the simple shaking of hands." (J. Golden Kimball, Conference Report, April 1899, p.53)

"The greatest missionary tool we have is that of demonstrating friendliness, brotherly kindness, harmony, love and peace in our homes and in all our church meetings." Theodore M. Burton, October 1974 General Conference

"True shepherds nourish and care for each member of the flock and keep them  in remembrance. They do not simply number them. Shepherds know and care for  their flock. A shepherd cannot rest when even one of the flock is lost."  Robert D. Hales, Ensign, May 1987

"Elder Perry noted that, according to research, 86 percent of the active converts have close personal ties to other LDS members or relatives."  LDS Church News, June 21, 1991
 

When talking with investigators or new members, I have found the following approach most effective.  Anyone with a basic desire can do it successfully, and we have experienced outstanding results with its simple application and seen others do the same.  These steps are fairly intuitive, and arise naturally from an earnest desire to fellowship others and help them come into the fold of God.

Please don't wait until the missionaries ask you to fellowship!  Do it of your own good will and desires.  No one wants to be "assigned a friend" (see General Conference, April 1999).  When these steps are applied by members, retention increases dramatically.  Don't be a "Sunday friend."  Don't just shake hands; get to know the visitors and become involved in their lives.  Follow the steps below.

1. One successful mission president told us that his rule is that he does not sit down at Church until he has met all individuals who he does not know. This is inspired advice for members and missionaries.  We try to follow this advice always and more than one individual has told us that they kept coming to Church because they knew that we cared.
2. Create an environment where the person is comfortable by building on common ground.  It is helpful to ask about the person's family, background, etc. to "break the ice" and to tailor the approach to their needs.
3. Complement the person for the efforts he or she is making to come to Church, meet with the missionaries, read the scriptures, and do what is right.  These steps take a great deal of courage and deserve our highest praise and commendation.
4. Find out what exposure the person has had to the Church: how many missionary discussions (or their topics), what they are reading in the Book of Mormon, etc.
5. Identify any questions or concerns the person has about the Church. Often they will be raised spontaneously after the first three steps.
6. Be a good listener and show genuine interest.
7. Share some brief thoughts about how living the principle being discussed has blessed you.  You do not have to be a scriptorian; you just need to be sincere.
8. Share your testimony about the blessings living the Gospel has brought into your life.  This should be more than an abstract assertion that the gospel is true: tell what it has done for you as you have tried to live it.
9. Point out what the true gospel offers that other faiths don't.
10. Tell them that you would love to visit with them at greater length.  Ask if you can attend one of the missionary or new member discussions or if the person would like to visit your house for dinner or home evening.
11. Exchange phone numbers or addresses with the person.  Don't just let them know that you are available; agree on specific plans for follow-up. Set a date and time.
12. Follow up promptly.  Call them the new member or investigator when you promised and carry through.

Attend All Convert Baptisms

Attend every convert baptism in your ward you can make it to.  The important part is genuinely getting to know the person and becoming their friend - not simply meeting them and sitting through the baptismal service.  Follow the steps above and get involved with that person as a real friend.

Assume Responsibility

Don't assume that someone else will do it if you don't.  It's not someone else's job; it's YOUR job, and you are accountable for "every soul you could have saved had you been faithful" (John Taylor), even if you never make the effort to meet them.  Don't worry about what someone else is doing, worry about what you are doing.  If you aren't fellowshipping, chances are that no one else is, either.  And if others are, the fellowshipping support network will be that much stronger.
 

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