Brass Tacks

Dwindling numbers, especially when the people are aging, means dwindling resources in terms of money and energy.  At some point we get upside down and are unable to maintain the facilities or sustain programs.  We have to get more out of the number who come or we have to get more who come.  Or both.  Whatever increases our numbers maximally without increasing our expenses must be our key focus. 

Our central offering is Sunday worship.  Beyond this major weekly event we offer but a few small programs.  Our worship is quite good and the few small programs are meaningful to those who participate.  What we do have must be looked at with inviting very consciously in mind.  Anything new we attempt, either on a one time basis or a regular basis, must have the aim of increasing people who fondly affiliate with Cocoa Pres.  If it doesn't serve that purpose, don't do it and use the energy instead for something that does.  If it serves that purpose, then the engineering for the program or event must include from start to finish means of connecting with new acquaintances and following up with them.  Having, for example, a blessing of the animals service where we get new people here but do not  think through how to get their names, emails, and addresses means we lose a significant amount of the potential in that event.

So two questions – does it increase new faces here?  is it very cheap or costs nothing?  If the answer is yes, do it.  If the answer to either is no, don’t do it.   Use the energy instead for something for which the two questions get yes answers.