A few weeks ago, I was talking with a minister colleague whose congregation–like WES–has experienced significant growth in the last couple of years. We were talking about how to design programming for new member engagement, how to manage two platform services…you know, all that exciting stuff clergy talk about! I was especially eager to talk about new member retention, about what I should be doing to ensure that the people who have found us in the last few years remain members.

My colleague’s response caught me off guard. She told me what she tells the congregation she serves: “I can make them want to be here. Only you can make them stay.”

Only you can make them stay. Immediately, I saw what she meant. The platforms, the music, the SEEK classes, all the programming that the staff (and many amazing volunteers!) create can attract people to WES. But only you–WES members–can make this a place where people will find their home. No amount of programming can substitute for friendships built, for connections made. We can’t really “program” those friendships, although we do try to foster them with small groups and family events and camping trips and poetry workshops. (And I will note that, in a recent consultation with a specialist on congregational growth, I was given clear advice about the best way to foster new member engagement: to hire a part-time staff member who can work with new and longtime members on volunteer recruitment and lay leadership. So I’m thinking a lot about whether we can stretch to include something like that in a future budget!)

Only you can make them stay. That means, if you’ve been here any length of time at all (been a member a month? hey, you’re old hat!), you might invite newcomers and newer members to get a cup of coffee. Ask them to join your family for lunch after platform some Sunday. Invite them to meet you at the Auction, or at Winter Festival, or at a really great anti-racism class you know they’ll love. Ask new folks to join your team, not because you need the extra volunteers, but because you want to get to know them better.

Only you can make them stay. This year, WES has had a slowing of our growth; although we continue to welcome new members and to have first-time visitors every single Sunday, our attendance has leveled out. That means we have a chance to catch our breath…and to extend our community. Whether or not we continue to grow, whether or not we are able to increase our reach in the world, whether or not our newer folks find their true home with us depends on you.

And I’m so glad you’re the ones I’m depending on.