Promotion and Preparation for the Prayer Service
Since Prayer Evangelism involves reaching out to the community, some promotion outside of the parish is needed. However, in house promotion (through announcements and the bulletin/newsletter) should not be ignored. Building a healthy prayer life for the congregation is important for the congregation itself and for visitors: no one wants to become part of an 'unhealthy' body (i.e. the priest, the cantor and 2-3 people).
Promotion
1. Feature the prayer meeting and time on your church sign (if available)
2. If you have people that are inclined, go door-to-door...
a. When the door is answered, introduce yourself ("I am 'name' from 'name' Orthodox Church")
b. "We are having a prayer meeting on Wednesday at 7pm"
c. "Do you have any prayer needs that you would like us to mention?"
d. Write down any needs and invite them to come...leave a church flyer if you have one
e. NOTE: it is best to go in pairs and don't limit yourself to a certain area...go citywide!
3. Tell and invite other Orthodox churches. If the parish is involved in ecumenism, invite those 'churches' to visit
4. Have some small cards printed with the church name and email address along with a space for prayer requests
5. Send a letter with some prayer cards to local chaplains/administrators for hospitals, jails and nursing homes to encourage prayer requests
*Consider having an occasional prayer service at one of these locations if there is interest
6. If you have a Festival, print and post invitations to the weekly prayer serivce
Preparation
1. Plan to do the entire service in English
2. Make sure the heat or AC is turned on in advance
3. Have all cards in a single location to give to the priest
**Consider having a permanent prayer request drop box in the entry area for all to use
4. Have a commited greeter there at least 15 minutes before to welcome new people and give them a prayer book
5. Make sure new people receive a church brochure to take nome
6. A simple fellowship time afterwards is optional
Since Prayer Evangelism involves reaching out to the community, some promotion outside of the parish is needed. However, in house promotion (through announcements and the bulletin/newsletter) should not be ignored. Building a healthy prayer life for the congregation is important for the congregation itself and for visitors: no one wants to become part of an 'unhealthy' body (i.e. the priest, the cantor and 2-3 people).
Promotion
1. Feature the prayer meeting and time on your church sign (if available)
2. If you have people that are inclined, go door-to-door...
a. When the door is answered, introduce yourself ("I am 'name' from 'name' Orthodox Church")
b. "We are having a prayer meeting on Wednesday at 7pm"
c. "Do you have any prayer needs that you would like us to mention?"
d. Write down any needs and invite them to come...leave a church flyer if you have one
e. NOTE: it is best to go in pairs and don't limit yourself to a certain area...go citywide!
3. Tell and invite other Orthodox churches. If the parish is involved in ecumenism, invite those 'churches' to visit
4. Have some small cards printed with the church name and email address along with a space for prayer requests
5. Send a letter with some prayer cards to local chaplains/administrators for hospitals, jails and nursing homes to encourage prayer requests
*Consider having an occasional prayer service at one of these locations if there is interest
6. If you have a Festival, print and post invitations to the weekly prayer serivce
Preparation
1. Plan to do the entire service in English
2. Make sure the heat or AC is turned on in advance
3. Have all cards in a single location to give to the priest
**Consider having a permanent prayer request drop box in the entry area for all to use
4. Have a commited greeter there at least 15 minutes before to welcome new people and give them a prayer book
5. Make sure new people receive a church brochure to take nome
6. A simple fellowship time afterwards is optional
