Presbytery makes Growth Coaching with John Fong Affordable

Presbytery is investing in our churches by contracting with Mr. John Fong for congregational coaching.  His coaching is individualized, practical guidance for churches to improve church visibility in the community, increase visitor follow-up and build relationships.

From now until May 30th churches can work directly with Mr. John Fong to improve their use of social media, enhance their welcome and follow-up with visitors. He has a depth of experience and ideas for churches of all sizes to get the word out to your neighbors about the events and mission endeavors of your congregation so that more folks participate and stop in to see what’s going on in your church.

His proven methods can lead to more foot traffic into your church, help you invite more folks to give to your food or school supply collections, plus with his suggestions more volunteers might step forward to help with projects. Overall, this will help your congregation meet more people so that members can build relationships that can lead to more attendance in worship.

He is ready and willing to meet by zoom with some of your church leaders to talk about how his coaching works.  He will overview the type of guidance he offers to churches and how he helps members with follow-up and improving publicity. 

Normally for one full year of coaching he would ask the church to pay $2,000. However, our presbytery has paid his fee such that he will work with as many of our churches as are interested now through May 30. We have about 10 churches enrolling with him now and we hope to have 25 churches working with him – will yours be one of those?

How does this unfold?

After an initial meeting, John works free with any church for 30 days at which point you explore with him and your leaders if his coaching is a good fit to continue for more weeks or months.  To have this initial meeting, contact John directly at johnchoufong@gmail.com

If you want to keep going after the 30 days, the presbytery is asking your church to contribute a small amount so that we will be able to extend our contract with John beyond May 31.  So we are asking participating churches to send a check to the Presbytery on the following membership sliding  scale:

• $150 for Churches that are under 50 members

• $250 for Churches up to 100 members

• $350 for Churches above 100 members

If the presbytery extends the contract with John Fong for an additional six months the contribution from your church is repeated. This fee is a one-time fee per church per each six-month period or portion of the 6-month period; initially this is for the time period of now to May 31 2026.

If this contribution is an obstacle for your church, please let us know.

By the way, after about 12 months, John wants you to be able to continue on your own with all the tools and ideas he has equipped you with.

If you were unable to attend the introductory webinar that John Fong led in October, you can still watch it. In it he overviews his ideas and the video will spark your thinking. You can watch the webinar here:  https://youtu.be/08A5wSdpXRk  This video is unlisted but you may share this link freely.

Many of our churches are asking for help turning the corner to growth, this coaching is one option to help you turn the corner.    Remember this story….

Two Boats and Helicopter Story

A storm descends on a small town, and the downpour soon turns into a flood. As the waters rise, the local preacher kneels in prayer on the church porch, surrounded by water. By and by, one of the townsfolk comes up the street in a canoe.

“Better get in, Preacher. The waters are rising fast.”

“No,” says the preacher. “I have faith in the Lord. He will save me.”

Still the waters rise. Now the preacher is up on the balcony, wringing his hands in supplication, when another guy zips up in a motorboat.

“Come on, Preacher. We need to get you out of here. The levee’s gonna break any minute.”

Once again, the preacher is unmoved. “I shall remain. The Lord will see me through.”

After a while the levee breaks, and the flood rushes over the church until only the steeple remains above water. The preacher is up there, clinging to the cross, when a helicopter descends out of the clouds, and a state trooper calls down to him through a megaphone.

“Grab the ladder, Preacher. This is your last chance.”Once again, the preacher insists the Lord will deliver him.

And, predictably, he drowns.

A pious man, the preacher goes to heaven. After a while he gets an interview with God, and he asks the Almighty, “Lord, I had unwavering faith in you. Why didn’t you deliver me from that flood?”God shakes his head. “What did you want from me? I sent you two boats and a helicopter.”

SO

• With Prayers for all our congregations to be Thriving Congregations!

• With Prayers for us all to drink from the living waters!

• With Prayers for Church leaders to get in the lifeboat and paddle!

• With prayers that we will all be both heavenly minded and doing earthly good….

Please reach out to John Fong today to schedule a zoom with him to find out if this would be a good fit for your congregation. It doesn’t hurt to ask!

By Rev. Laura Lupton

Associate General Presbyter and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina