The biggest puzzle in any church or organization is people. Process is easy to read. Programs are easy to plot. Planning is just a matter of time. People are the puzzle.

Their reactions determine much of the success of the process, program, or plan. I am no expert whatsoever on people. The way they come into a church, though, is relatively easy to figure out. We firstly identify the target, & then we can ask the questions that help us reach them most effectively.

PROSPECTS
(How do we interest them?)
What do we do that ATTRACTS them?

GUESTS/VISITORS
(How do we get them back?)
What do we OFFER them that brings them back?

ATTENDERS/NEW MEMBERS
(How do we help them take the next step?)
What do we do to ENGAGE them while they’re here?

DISCIPLES
(How do we help them grow?)
What do we do to ENCOURAGE them?

LEADERS
(How do we help them lead & invite other prospects?)
With what do we RESOURCE them for daily life?

Prospects, hopefully, become guests/visitors.
Guests, after they have a great experience, become regular attenders, then new members.
New members, over time, become disciples.
Disciples, after learning & growing, become leaders.
Leaders begin to seek out new prospects.
And so begins a new cycle.

The puzzle becomes a little less puzzling.