7 Ways to Prepare Your Church for Mothers Day

Mother’s Day is the third most attended church day in the U.S., just behind Christmas and Easter.

You have likely noticed that among your church attendance figures.

As you plan for this year’s celebration of Mother’s Day at your church, here are 7 things you can do to prepare your church beforehand.

1. Bathroom Sniff Test.

Yes, I’m serious.

Ever been blown over by that uniquely powerful smell?

You know what I mean.  What is the first room you clean in your own home when company is coming?

I rest my case.

Is your church bathroom up to “company standards?”

Put some nice de-odorizers in there.

Read More: Church Bathrooms That Would Make Your Mother Proud.

2. Church Greeters.

Remember your first day in a church?

Unless you were born into a church-going family and attended your entire life, you were probably nervous on your first day and filled with questions.

A common practice in US churches is having church greeters at the church doors to give a hello and a friendly smile, wave, or greeting.

Some churches have a few volunteers they call ushers, welcomers, or hosts who are available to engage visitors in conversation after the door greeters say hello.

See also Church Greeter Training videos.

3. Real Coffee, with Real Cream.

Most churches will offer some kind of reception after the service.

Use good coffee and provide some real cream or dairy-free alternatives.

That powdered milk substitute just doesn’t work.

See Tip #9 in 10 Practices to Welcome Church Visitors for more thoughts.

4. Cast a Vision for Welcoming Visitors.

One killer to your hospitality ministry is when the congregation is not as friendly as your hospitality team.

I have experienced professional greeters at the door and welcome center that gave a great first impression, but chilly experiences from church members inside the sanctuary.

In other words, I was welcomed only by the “professionals.”

Pastors, refresh a vision for welcoming visitors so that your congregation doesn’t create a cultural mismatch with your hospitality ministry.

5.  Clean Up the Junk Room.

Most churches may have a “junk room” where stuff accumulates that doesn’t have a home.

That could be a coat closet, classroom, or even a corner in a public space.

Clean it up.

See Church Hospitality Survey Assessment to download an audit tool for free.

6.  “Visit” your own church.

Commission a few wise souls to observe your Sunday morning processes before Mother’s Day.

Examine the quality of greeting, the ways people’s faces look, the mood that seems present from the time the first worshipers arrive, and what your church probably feels like to a visitor.

Do a thorough inventory of how your church presents itself to a visitor.   A critical analysis and review will help your greeters and team get a good idea of what needs to be addressed.

Read More: Evaluate Your Own Church Hospitality for Free

7. Make Sure Your Website Helps Guests Plan Their Visit

For many families, your church website is the first visit before the first visit. Guests will search online to learn service times, what to expect, and whether they’ll feel welcome.

Make sure your homepage clearly communicates:

• Mother’s Day service details (times, childcare, and what makes it special).
• A clickable address and map link for mobile users.
• Real photos of people—not just the building—so guests can picture themselves there.
• Easy contact options for questions about parking, accessibility, or children’s ministry.

Your website should extend the same warmth and clarity that guests will experience when they arrive.
For more ideas, see our articles on church websites.

See the website category for more ideas.

Next Step

If you’re crafting your church’s Mother’s Day service, pair these preparation tips with Mother’s Day Church Greetings That Honor All Mothers and 17 Bible Verses for Mother’s Day to shape both your words and your heart for the day.

Reignite Your First Impressions Ministry

We all want our church visitors to come back. But to get that to happen you need to improve your first impression ministries.

But where do you start?

Get these 7 Secrets to Effective Church Hospitality to give you starting points and ideas that you can implement this weekend.

Download it now