The 2026 Reframe School of Evangelism marked the third consecutive year of the Greater Sydney Conference’s commitment to equipping church members and leaders for practical mission and discipleship. Through Reframe, participants receive focused training, practical tools, and hands-on experience that help local churches engage more effectively with their communities.
The graduating cohort of the 2026 Reframe School of Evangelism. [Photo credit: Luke Vodell]
Over five Sabbath afternoon sessions during the month of May, participants explored a range of topics including the biblical foundation for caring for our members, understanding why people leave the church, identifying early signs of disengagement, developing intentional reconnection strategies, and creating a church culture that supports long-term discipleship and belonging. The program concluded with practical training on building caring congregations and fostering ongoing discipleship relationships.
Member retention is not simply about maintaining attendance numbers. Every name on a membership list represents a person whom God loves and for whom Christ gave His life. Many former or missing members still carry positive memories of their church family, while others may have experienced disappointment, significant life changes, personal struggles, or seasons of spiritual uncertainty. Reaching out to them is an expression of pastoral care, compassion, and a commitment to discipleship.
The Reframe training emphasised that reconnecting with former members is most effective when churches move beyond programs and focus on genuine relationships. Participants were encouraged to listen carefully, understand individual journeys, and create welcoming environments where people can once again experience belonging and spiritual growth.
One of the strengths of the Reframe School of Evangelism is its practical focus. Participants are not only equipped with knowledge but are encouraged to apply what they learn in real ministry settings. As a result, many churches are implementing follow-up initiatives such as visitation programs, community engagement projects, personal contact strategies, and outreach activities. These initiatives provide opportunities to build relationships, offer support, and reconnect people with local church communities.
Whether leading someone to Jesus, cultivating a missional church culture, or reconnecting with former members, Reframe remains focused on one central purpose: equipping God’s people to share His love, strengthen discipleship, and help local churches become effective centres of mission in their communities.
