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INTAKE WORKERS – INTAKE SOURCES
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INTAKE WORKERS
Social workers use this wonderful expression "Intake Worker". This person is the one who greets a client approaching the agency and hears them out, assesses their need, and connects them to the most helpful resources. We could well apply the same concepts to the life of the Church. The clergy and the church secretaries are often the intake workers, that people first contact.
Is that first contact an experience of grace? Many people when they first approach any formidable institution are nervous and flighty. Will I be rejected? Turned off? Put down? Ignored? Trapped? Manipulated? - or will I be welcomed and helped?
First impressions mean a great deal. An intake that is done sensitively and graciously will make a lasting impression. Unlike other agencies, the Church's people don't present their deepest need first. Usually the first contact comes from some trivial or ceremonial need. The deeper spiritual needs come out as trust is built and a community is found. Expect people to come in the first instance with a trivial matter or oblique inquiry. They are testing the system.
INTAKE SOURCES
1. Phone calls - carefully steward each incoming call and try to turn it into an opportunity for meeting personally.
2. Baptismal inquiries - often this is a declaration from a family who doesn't understand the system that they would like to some how re-connect.
3. Walk ins - people on their own usually come first with friends. Couples and families usually come together and may be church shopping. Getting a phone number and making a pastoral call may be critical. After you learn their needs and interests in the call you can then connect them with an appropriate fellowship group, course or activity.
4. Social activities - often people will make their first visit to check out a Church at a neighbourhood social activity where they can meet the minister and get the flavour of the community.
5. Recovery groups - often meeting in churches these groups can be a great ally in helping people who come with addiction problems. Many people in these groups are on a spiritual quest and a few will want to become connected with a Church that helps people heal and belong.
6. Neighbourhood courses and activities - many people find the Church and get comfortable in the space first of all by coming to exercise classes, scouting activities, or concerts. The neighbours who feel comfortable in your space are potential members.
Item VIII
©1999 Ronald C. Ferris
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