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How to Find Out if
Your Church is Visitor Friendly
Are you Willing to Find Out?
Seeking out information from the visitors will be one of
your best resources. They will see beyond what we see because we become
compliant and get so used to the way things are that we do not see the
problems and issues that a fresh perspective will see. We become
compliant and see things through a “rose colored glasses” perspective.
That is, we see our church in the light of romantic nostalgia of what we
did in the past and how good we were or are. Thus, we do not see the
issues in a fresh way, un-clouded with nostalgia or preconceived ideas.
When we see as the visitor sees, then we can respond accurately to them
as honored guests. We will be able to see their needs and concerns, and
meet them with a response and the Gospel. People may think we are nuts
at first, because those who are not familiar with our Lord will not
understand until the Holy Spirit interdicts. The Holy Spirit uses us
Christians as His tools!
This is how you can find
out if your church is visitor friendly. Have people visit your church
who have not been there before. These can be people you know, or who are
from other churches. Make sure that they are anonymous so that your
members are unaware. The goal here is to see how they are welcomed, and
to see specific issues that can be detrimental to reaching out in your
community. Here is a list of questions that your “visitors” can keep in
mind when analyzing your church:
1. What is it like to
be a visitor at this church?
2. Specifically, what
appealed to you?
3. What “turned you
off?”
4. What made you
comfortable and relaxed?
5. What made you
uncomfortable and stressed?
6. What stood out to
you, positive, negative?
7. Did you feel the
presence of God?
8. Was anything going
on that distracted you from worship?
9. Was there anything
that you would change?
10. What are the “pros”
and the “cons?”
11. (For a
non-Christian), Was the teaching relevant to you and could you
understand? (For a solid Christian), Was the teaching Biblical and true?
12.
Does the bulletin have enough information so the first time visitor can
follow the service without being embarrassed?
12. Is there some kind of
visitor identification system?
13. Are the classrooms
and other places to go clearly advertised and posted?
14. Is there a follow up
program for visitors?
15. Is there a card to
fill out in the pews/chairs with adequate space so the visitor can give
you personal information and critique?
These questions will quantify the overall health of your church because,
if the people are mature, then a sense of gratitude will overflow from
the spiritual disciplines to those around them. In addition, when there
is a church that is spiritually mature, new comers will usually see it.
Sometimes churches have not thought through a process on how to greet
people. Even though the church is healthy, this may not be obvious.
These questions will unveil this problem and create opportunities to
improve and re-tool the way things can better be implemented.
The
next set of questions will allow you to unveil minor issues and develop
genuine countermeasures for problems that frustrate people, both
visitors and sometimes, members. This will provide future visitors with
a church that has a “user friendly” atmosphere, thus they will feel
welcomed and accepted.
16. Is adequate and
convenient parking available?
17. Are adequate signs
for the church and main entrance visible?
18. For the large church,
do friendly, helpful guides from the parking lot to the bathroom exist?
19. Are adequate signs
and directions to the various meeting sites, such as worship services,
restroom, nursery, and classes clearly displayed?
20. Are friendly and
knowledgeable greeters on hand?
21. Are friendly and
well-trained ushers in place?
Church growth statistics
say that visitors will decide in the first few minutes whether or not
they will come back. So, the inference is that the visitor will be most
impacted by how they are greeted, which will determine how they respond
to the rest of the church. Even if you have the best teaching and
worship in the world, people will not stay where they are not welcomed.
First impressions are critical. If the church does not have a friendly
atmosphere, then it will slowly die from unkindness. Kindness is a very
important Fruit of the Spirit that must manifest itself from the parking
lot to the restrooms, or you will be in a pew by yourself.
Life is full of “whys”
and “how comes” that need explanation and truth available in God’s Word,
but that is elusive to most people. We are called to share and make His
Word relevant. Thus, if they do not want to come to the door, or if the
door will not open, then their quest for truth will come to a halt.
We want visitors to see
our churches as a place to call home; a place they are welcomed,
encouraged, and can take part in. We cannot have our guests treated like
“Goldilocks” trying to sneak in and find their own way, only to find
themselves in the wrong place, or in the way.
There is no question that
the spiritual maturity of those in our churches will determine how we
engage the visitor. It will also determine how we are responding to the
call of our Lord. A caring atmosphere along with strong Biblical
teaching will spawn growth and spiritual maturity, which is the main
purpose of the church. A side effect will be the growth in numbers. Now,
growth in numbers is important, but NOT the focus! Discipleship is the
focus! Growth is the fruit and effect of it, but not the main
ingredient. If you want to grow in numbers, then follow the call the
Lord gave you by taking care of the people He has already given you, as
revealed in Scripture!
The very core of a
hospitable church is not how we do things or what we know and do, but it
is all about what is in our hearts. In addition, if the care for people
is not the blood flowing through our veins, and if discipleship is not
our heartbeat, then we will not be building the Kingdom of God. Only the
Kingdom of “self” will be laid. It is what is in our hearts that will
determine the direction of hospitality and the tone of the church. It
will set the pace and set the table of people being welcomed or being
shunned.
We are called to obey the
precepts of Scripture, the care and needs of the people the Lord gives
us; care that makes people feel right at home. From signs and smiles
that say we are glad you are here, an atmosphere that says Christ is
here because we love Him, and friendly ushers and greeters who are
showing the ins and outs, the seats, the restrooms, the classrooms, and
the Spirit of our living Lord, comes evidence of that care. People,
visitors, and members alike are welcomed, kept in prayer, cared for, not
overwhelmed, but encouraged, and invited to a gathering. Then, the
visitor can become a member that receives teaching, equipping, and
training for His service. This process can then keep reciprocating to
even more people. The call has been given; the response and
responsibility is yours!
“As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent
me. Night is coming, when no one can work.”
(John 9:4 NIV)
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