Evangelism Coach International

I found this following questionnaire for your church committee to evaluate how welcoming or visitor friendly your church is.

The biggest one for us when we first did this was #3. Church entrance.

The regular attenders used the side entrance, and only first time visitors used the front door, which was never unlocked. Once we realized this, we put signs up to mark the entrance and how to find the sanctuary. Our office was the old manse (the house across the shared driveway), but only signs would tell the visitor this.

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Download a copy of this Church Hospitality Assessement

A Hospitality Audit

___ Is your church easy to find? Do you need new signs on major roads near your church?
___ Is your church’s name easy to read from the road?
___ Is it easy to tell which entrance to use for the church office? For the worship center? For Sunday school and evening programs?
___ Does the exterior and overall appearance of your church look well maintained and attractive?
___ Does the landscaping need attention?
___ Are there a few parking spots close to the building which are reserved for the disabled? For guests?
___ Are the sidewalks, the entrance, and the interior spaces of the church easy to navigate for persons in wheelchairs or with other mobility concerns?
___ Are the restrooms all clean? Without rust or mildew? Do you have lotion and tissues available?
___ Are all rooms in the church clearly marked? Are there clear directional signs to classrooms?
___ Are there stacks of old bulletins, old magazines, or out-of-date church brochures which should be discarded?
___ Are there current, attractive handouts or brochures to give information about your church which would be helpful to guests?
___ Are the bulletin boards current? Guests are in fact more likely than regular members to read the bulletin boards!
___ Are there any rooms which need to be cleaned? Painted? Do some rooms look too institutional? Do you have old linoleum or tile that should be replaced with carpet?
___ Do you have adequate lighting in hallways, classrooms, and the worship center?
___ Are the rooms for infants and toddlers both attractive and clean? Do you have older bedding and toys which should be replaced?
___ Are extra copies of curriculum and Bibles in the classrooms? Are teachers prepared and trained to welcome guests?
___ Are the instructions in your bulletin and worship service clear to guests? Remember that you could have guests who have not been to any church before coming to yours.
___ Are large print bulletins available? Is hearing amplification available?
___ Do you have mints available for persons who experience coughing or a dry throat during the service?
___ Do the announcements and/or joys and concerns time contain “insider” references which would make a guest feel excluded? Do people identify themselves before sharing?
___ Do you have a name tag system that is current and that is utilized?
___ Do you have greeters positioned at the entrances to the church? Are greeters and ushers prepared to welcome guests? Do you offer training in hospitality for greeters and ushers?
___ Are all members of the congregation prepared to welcome guests? Have you provided training in hospitality?
___ Are refreshments available at a fellowship time and/or during Sunday school classes?
___ Do you have members who go out of their way during the fellowship time to greet guests and introduce them to others?
___ Are members of your church prepared to extend brunch or dinner invitations to your guests?
___ Do you have a system in place to respond to guests within 48 hours of their attendance by leaving a small gift at their homes? Freshly baked cookies or bread, a devotional booklet, flowers, or a mug with your church’s name are all possibilities.
___ Have you interviewed people who have recently visited your church and asked them for feedback on their experience? Have you talked both to people who have continued to come and to some who only came once?
___ What other areas should you consider?

© 2007 New Life Ministries. Permission is granted to reproduce this audit for use by local leaders in any congregation. For all other uses, please contact New Life Ministries at 1-800-774-3360. Also visit our web site at www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org for other self-assessment tools.

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Download a copy of this Church Hospitality Assessement

See more articles in our Hospitality Series.

If you purchase the downloadable ebook on creating a better first impression, visit www.WelcomeChurchVisitors.com   You can download it immediately after sale.

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If you would like more information about evaluating your hospitality, and consulting with your leadership to help you improve, feel free to give us a call at 804-335-1445 or Skype at WalkmanPTY. 

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