What happens after a first-time guest visits your church? Your follow-up letter can influence whether they return. I share four real-life examples that reveal what works—and what misses the mark—so your next visitor feels valued and invited back for more.
On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being “This needs definite work”… 5 being “We rock at this”) rate your church's greeting and guest services practices:
I watched the story. I found myself near tears. It is the story of a church that welcomed a first time guest and made such a great "welcome home" impact that another soul was added to the kingdom of God in a matter of weeks. This is what "well done" looks like.
Someone found a spiritual home.
Churches that don't have a clear, simple and logical path for visitors to follow send out some conflicting messages! Members think they're a welcoming church, but the church guests experience something different.
The loving bonds of friendship that tie the church members together end up becoming barriers to those who'd like to elbow their way into the congregation! Read more. . . .
Make it easy for them, pastor.
A resource compilation of 38 articles related to church hospitality, church greeters and welcome ministry.
How can the extra-small church give a good welcome?
It can be done. We were welcomed into a small church of under 40 people and stayed in spite of their obvious shortcomings - why?
One consistent question on church hospitality processes that I receive is how to follow up on your first time church visitors. Questions like: Another question I’ve received is related to the data management side of handling visitor contact information. How can church management software help our visitors become new members? Today’s guest post answers that …
I’ve never attended a major golf championship until last week’s Honda Classic I was a first time guest in an environment I had never visited. We were invited guests of a golf fanatic who secured 2 tickets for our family (plus tickets for the 2 reluctant kids were free). I do play golf (about 1 …
Danny Franks, Connections Pastor at The Summit Church in North Carolina, considers the importance of preparing for guests who are visiting your church. Your sermon starts in the parking lot and he offers 5 principles to effective church hospitality and first impressions.
Visiting a church in a different tradition taught us three big lessons about church hospitality. We felt welcome as people, yet lost in the service. Let me coach your hospitality committee through three practical steps I learned.
Do your church greeters realize that simply saying a hello on a Sunday morning can have long term consequences? Sometimes to a second generation?
Imagine a church meet and greet where it’s a game: Who’s come the furthest to get here? First Presbyterian Church in Branson MO greeted their church visitors this way when I was there on a visit in 2007. Because its a tourist town, they have plenty of visitors to church who come for the one …
