As we approach one of the largest attendance Sundays of the year Easter
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Front Door
Before a guest ever steps foot on your church’s physical campus, a family seeking or church shopping has probably already checked out your church website. Exciting news we are developing a brand new website and one of the first things we are developing is a link so that church shoppers can find out how casual we are. It will also share FAQ's to address service times, directions, parking, music, dress and preaching style.
What Stinks
It’s important that no church ever underestimates the sense of smell. While sight is the strongest sense for short term memory, the sense of smell is the strongest and most vivid for long-term memories. Every church has the potential for positive or negative smells. Mold is a bad smell. Coffee is a good smell. Bleach is a bad smell. Citrus is a good smell. Many churches have restrooms that are disgusting and smell like urine. This lack of attention to detail can be costly and discourage many from ever returning.
Park Here
If it’s difficult for newcomers to go to your church, they won’t go.” Some would argue that guests want to remain anonymous and don’t want special parking. Of course some want to go unnoticed and will choose to park in regular parking (a minority), but for the rest of newcomers, they are appreciative for a close parking space; it’s a kind gesture in an already intimidating and nerve-racking experience of attending a church for the first time, especially a large one with a huge campus.
Programs & Preaching notes
A worship guide and message notes are two that that has radically changed the spiritual atmosphere and growth of Bethel more than anything else we have implemented. The worship guide is a tool that allow you guest to feel at eased and at home. The guide also allow you to give valuable information about locations, order of service, information on other worship experiences times, exciting announcements as well as FAQ about membership, mission, message and minister.
Give It Away
Something subtle, but powerful is a church that has a generous spirit. Too many churches charge for everything and wonder why no one buys CDs of the message. If you want to bless people and create a generous spirit throughout your church, give away free coffee and message CDs (and other surprises throughout the year).
Security Counts
One issue that is huge to a secret shopper and visiting families is security. If a parent is worried about their child’s safety, they will not enjoy the service and will likely not return. A children’s classroom must be clean, safe and secure. Security also includes the check-out process. If anyone can walk into a classroom and pick up a kid, you’re asking for trouble and will turn off potential newcomers. It’s important that your kids’ volunteers are trained well and know to ask for the parent’s sticker when picking up their kids. This is vital and goes a long way to ensuring a tragedy doesn’t occur and a parent has peace of mind.
The Visible Pastor
Accessibility of the senior pastor is another subtle and powerful statement of a church. Even pastors of the largest churches make an intentional and strategic effort to be seen, greeted and hugged after a service. They may have a body guard present for security reasons, but they are available and willing to pray with people that need to speak to their pastor. @Bethel we are preparing what we are calling "The After-Party" and "QT with the Pastor at which the our staff will be present and available to meet with newcomers.
Finish Strong
It’s simply not enough for greeters and parking lot attendants to say “Hello” or “Welcome” when one walks into their church. To go to another level, have your first impressions team stationed at their posts when the service ends to say “Goodbye” or “Have a nice week”. This goes a long way to wrapping a bow around the entire morning experience and will send them off with a lasting positive impression.
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