10 Most Important Minutes to Church Visitors
10 most important minutes
Charles Arn has surveyed thousands of people: (Source: 3 Questions for Charles Arn)
We also asked the focus groups when they decided that the church was friendly or not.
From the answers we got, there’s a ten-minute window that is pregnant with opportunities for a church to make a good impression. And it wasn’t the ten minutes I expected.
I thought they would say it was right after they got out of the car and walked into the building, but more than any other time, folks said,
“I decided this was a friendly church in the ten minutes following the conclusion of the service.”
Many feel that that is the first time people are free to be themselves.
Up until that point, you go through the routine and enter the sanctuary and follow the directions. But when the last song is sung and the last prayer is prayed, then it’s a free-for-all, and in the minds of the visitors, they’re asking, “Will these people really go out of their way to welcome newcomers like me?”
Reflects my experiences making visits
I found this surprising. Marketing books on first impressions often stress the first 7 minutes of a visitor’s experience, but this surprise result indicates that the fellowship time afterwards is perhaps more important than even first impressions.
But when I reflect on my experiences as a first time church visitor, it makes perfect sense.
When I am a first time visitor I am focused on the mechanics of getting to the sanctuary, getting a seat, and getting oriented to my surroundings. The services of greeters and location of signs are helpful in accomplishing that task. A task oriented mentality narrows the focus to accomplishing the task, not to evaluating the friendliness of a congregation. The more helpful the congregation is in getting that task done (greeters, ushers, signs) the easier I can get it checked off the list.
However, the 10 minutes after the service is where I am now relaxed, ready to engage people, having heard a message, prayed, sang some songs. I grab a cup of coffee and am now ready to talk with people about what I just experienced.
This is where the level of friendliness comes to clear view:
Is any one approaching me as a the first time visitor?
Does any one want to talk with me?
Steps to improve your church hospitality after worship
In How to welcome Church Visitors, a whole chapter is devoted to these important ten minutes, including how to talk with visitors after the service. It’s not the time to conduct church business with insiders. It’s time to talk with visitors.
The research shows that those 10 minutes after the service are the perfect time to take initiative and talk with your guests. You could:
- Introduce yourself: “I’ve not met you yet, I’m Chris . . . . “
- Offer to pray with them right then if a need is shared.
- Offer to answer questions they might have about their experience.
It’s about them — not about you or your church. It’s not about the quality of your coffee or the freshness of the pastries (though that is important). It’s about intentionally making connections after the service.
You can read more at the book How to welcome Church Visitors
