Have you picked up on the fact that unconnected people are different in some ways than connected people? If you have, you are already moving in the right direction. Next, though, you must understand there are four main types of unconnected people and how you might connect them depends on improving your understanding of their needs and interests.

See also, 5 Things You Need to Know about Connecting Unconnected People, Design Your Connection Strategy with Unconnected People in Mind, and What's Your Urgency Level for Connecting Unconnected People?

The four main types of unconnected people.

1. Busy with other priorities and commitments.

This segment of unconnected people is a very large and quite diverse group. It includes everyone frantically preoccupied as their children's chauffeurs as well as those whose own extracurricular activities crowd out the truly important. It also includes those who have commitments to church functions and activities that produce little more than sideways energy. See also, A Smörgåsbord of Destinations VS Sequential and Tailored Next Steps and Small Group Ministry Roadblock #2: A Bloated Belong and Become Menu.

2. Satisfied customers of a less than recommended or minimum dose.

Another large group of unconnected people, members of this group are unaware or unconvinced that they are missing anything. If you are communicating about the importance of being connected and its vital role in producing life-change, they are either not getting the signal or the signal is unclear. See also, Determining the Minimum or Recommended Dose.

3. Dissatisfied former customers.

The size of this group of unconnected people is determined by several factors (i.e., the quality of your leader development pathway, the effectiveness of your coaching structure, clearly communicated expectations, etc.). While it is rarely a large group, it is important to understand their objections and concerns. See also, Skill Training: Equip Your Coaches to Develop and Disciple Your Leaders and Small Group Ministry Roadblock #5: A Leadership Development Disconnect.

4. Infrequent attenders.

The size of this group is determined by a few key factors (most importantly, the size of your "crowd"). They may share some common traits with the first two types of unconnected people, but they are distinct in that their attendance pattern makes any awareness of the importance of connecting unlikely. Unless you make a strong case for the importance of being connected every week, it is likely they know nothing about it.

How to Connect Unconnected People

First, keep the needs and interests of unconnected people in mind.

Their interests and needs are not the same as those who are already connected. The needs and interests of each of these four groups are slightly different. Learning to understand and truly see things through the eyes of unconnected people is so important! Without that understanding, we will continue to promote opportunities they do not see as interesting and steps that do not meet their needs.

Learning to understand and truly see things through the eyes of unconnected people is so important! Without that understanding, we will continue to promote opportunities they do not see as interesting and steps that do not meet their… Click To Tweet 

See also, ESSENTIALS: What Do Unengaged and Unconnected People Really Want?

Second, creatively and relentlessly communicate the importance of being connected.

Unconnected people are almost always listening to a different signal and aren't paying attention to the things you believe they need to know about. Often, the only thing that will grab their attention is a creatively designed and compellingly delivered story. 

Unconnected people are almost always listening to a different signal and aren't paying attention to the things you believe they need to know about. Often, the only thing that will grab their attention is a creatively designed and… Click To Tweet 

At the same time, talk about the recommended or minimum dose on a regular basis (announcements, messages, bulletins, website, newsletters, etc.). Take the mystery away along with any confusion. Frequency of attendance is affecting all four of these types.

Third, teach your congregation to prioritize the main things.

Everything on the menu is not essential or equally important. This goes without saying. If you want unconnected people to take their best next step, you must begin clarifying the main things and challenging the presence of menu items that distract from the minimum dose.

Everything on the menu is not essential or equally important. This goes without saying. If you want unconnected people to take their best next step, you must begin clarifying the main things and challenging the presence of menu items… Click To Tweet 

Fourth, focus on raising the quality of the experience in every new group.

This particularly applies to the experience of new groups. If you want to capture and hold the attention of unconnected people, their first steps into community must be seamless and experientially compelling.

This particularly applies to the experience of new groups. If you want to capture and hold the attention of unconnected people, their first steps into community must be seamless and experientially compelling. Click To Tweet 

Consistently delivering seamless and experientially compelling first steps into community requires a keen understanding of the needs and interests of unconnected people, attention to detail and the pursuit of flawless execution.

If you want to connect unconnected people you must understand them and design first steps and next steps with them in mind. A lack of understanding of their needs and their interests explains their disinterest in connecting as well as their apparent satisfaction with less than the minimum required dose. 

If you want to connect unconnected people you must understand them and design first steps and next steps with them in mind. A lack of understanding of their needs and their interests explains their disinterest in connecting as well as… Click To Tweet 

Need help? 

My newest mini-course, How to Design NEXT Steps and FIRST Steps may be just what you need.

 

Image by Michael Scott