Most people don't want to be "phoned". They'll come when they are ready if they feel the service is relevant to them. If they aren't there, it's because it's not for them. I wouldn't call them. Let them make the decision.

I am of mixed mind. One the one hand, I would be uncomfortable if people from the church started probing into my attendance record.

On the other hand, I think churches are drifting away from being communities into being just a place you go on Sunday morning and maybe an evening in the week. I think this drift is part of a larger societal drift. We are no longer part of communities that our parents and grandparents were. Churches are not the "families" they used to be, work is no longer the long term committment and community it used to be, neighbourhoods are no longer communities, unions, political parties, service clubs -- all these things used to be communities, but aren't anymore. We are being divided from each other. 10 years ago, people used to phone each other. Now, all we do is email people, unless they are good friends. We are becoming VERY ISOLATED from each other.

Church should the primary place (outside of family) where people find a surrogate family, but its not. I think it is sad.

I was checking out this website and came across this post"¦I too often wonder how to fill the blanks between Easter and Christmas. I don't have an answer but I have to agree with Jeffery that phoning occasional church attendees can make people a tad uncomfortable

About 5 years ago I decided to return to the church. I have had my phone number passed out (I guess that people that had it gave it to people that asked for it) and I was added to the church mailing list without my knowledge. Having people do these things (even though I know that they mean well) makes me feel a bit intruded upon. Over the past five years I have become progressively more involved. When I'm ready for more "˜commitment' I'll make it.

When you see occasional attendees great them in a friendly manner and extend any invitations that might be of interest to them in person. Although I was a bit surprised to receive mail from the church I do appreciate knowing what's coming up. I would be receptive to email but probably wouldn't respond. Once you've let people know what's happening you need to give them some space. When they're ready they'll take you up on your offer.

Merry Christmas!

Oh, I have been to the door.
It is not always possible to visit when it is an appropriate time for them, let alone when as pastoral visitor it is near the end of an afternoon of visits in nursing home and hospital and when school is out and kids are coming home. That can be a rush in any home and time doesn't permit more than 10 minutes.
I resolved years ago not to do as an Elder did years ago. During the Annual Stewardship Visitation he had his office boy from one of Toronto's largest insurance companies deliver the "Church greeting".
Shepherding an indifferent flock these days can't even be done by e-mail as they are not replied to.
So how do you get close in faith? Through blogs?
Another concern is that the minister often is the face of the congregation.
That same congregation has stood in corporate commitment as baptismal vows have been made for the child and their own vows renewed.
I am asked about so and so and I can't reply because I know as much as the asker.
We are ready for crowds of hundreds this Christmas Eve.
Most will be seniors, a few middlers and hopefully a few children who will be momentarily caught up in the experience.

I think the answer is easy and difficult at the same time. To hold people's attention, Church needs to relevant. I don't know how you do that. I guess for me (who decided to go to a new church after a 10 year hiatus) it became relevant because I wanted my daugther to have the social context of church.

You have an interesting topic here. I admire that you are reaching out to people and letting them know that they are missed. However, I liken church congregations to family. In lots of ways that's exactly what congregations are: it is church family. You have the "mothers" who plan all the dinners and social functions, and the "fathers" who keep things in line, and some "rebellious siblings" and some "energetic kids". And just like a family, some members are busier than others and don't find the time. Some family members like get-togethers and some don't. But not too many family members I know like guilt. They are more apt to respond to a warm invitation, then "why don't you come anymore?" There are lots of people in our church family that we see just a couple of times of year. Sure, we wish they would come more often, but to tell them that wouldn't encourage their attendance. Probably just the opposite. I think it is more helpful and welcoming to say "Hey, it's great to see you. What have you been up to?" And then in the conversation talk about some of the fun things that have been happening in church. Maybe throw in a "We're having a family skating party in March and thought maybe your kids would enjoy that." or a "The UCW is having a potluck in May, would that interest you?"

Best of luck. I think your heart is in the right place.

Christmas Eve and I will be there offering free hugs to those I haven't seen since last year - no questions, no guilt trips, no checking to see if the roof is falling in - just welcoming and feeling blessed that we ( WE! ) were the ones they chose to worship with on Christmas Eve.

I'll take the hugs as well.
I have an elder who greets once a month and is only out for that duty.
We joke about being strangers!
On a more serious note there is the concern expressed by my CE people and the congregation over the mandate to provide Christian Education for all our children. It is nearly impossible to provide consistent lessons and hence learning.
Serena raises a point about hockey and others regarding the time spent in these activities.See her original post and the following, in Pop Culture.
I know most hockey rules and many soccer. I really can get into base ball and could probably call the game.
Some of our children do not have much beyond "Veggie Tales" to form reasoned religious opinion; it's creeping into young adults to whom the Church is reaching out to.
Feenix starts Christmas at 9 a.m. See you at our breakfast provided by the CE
people.

I'll take the hugs as well.
I have an elder who greets once a month and is only out for that duty.
We joke about being strangers!
On a more serious note there is the concern expressed by my CE people and the congregation over the mandate to provide Christian Education for all our children. It is nearly impossible to provide consistent lessons and hence learning.
Serena raises a point about hockey and others regarding the time spent in these activities.See her original post and the following, in Pop Culture.
I know most hockey rules and many soccer. I really can get into base ball and could probably call the game.
Some of our children do not have much beyond "Veggie Tales" to form reasoned religious opinion; it's creeping into young adults to whom the Church is reaching out to.
Feenix starts Christmas at 9 a.m. See you at our breakfast provided by the CE
people.

The family I was concerned about was not out to the Christmas Eve Service.
I wish them a Happy New Year and one less busy.
feenixx