Does Your Church Want Company?
by Richard C. Looney
Most of us understand that the church of Jesus Christ should be open and welcoming to the outsider. We are to open our doors and our hearts, but too often we send other messages. While on vacation recently, we found it very difficult to locate a place to worship. In several towns, some church buildings had no identifying name; and a few had no time posted for the worship service. The unwritten message seemed to be that only folks in the inner circle were welcome. Several miles from where we live, a small church has a "welcome visitor" sign that is a work of art, but nowhere on the premises or building is there a time of service posted.
Something for your church leaders to consider . . . Ask a small group of leaders to spend some time on the premises as "outsiders."
- Are the building and grounds well maintained and inviting?
- Is the sign large enough to be read from the street?
- Are there inviting words and a schedule posted?
- Are there reserved parking places for guests?
- What is it that says clearly that this congregation expects and welcomes guests?
Ask the same group of leaders to look at your listing in the phone book. New persons under the age of forty rely heavily on this kind of information.
- Is an accurate schedule posted?
- What are some other forms of advertising and marketing you could consider (website, radio spots)?
- Is there anything distinctive about your congregation that invites interest in attending your church?
- Does your ad stand out in any way? Is it attractive? eye-catching?
When outsiders visit your church, what happens?
- Are there any directional signs?
- Does someone meet guests in the parking lot to greet, welcome, guide, and introduce them to others in the church?
- Are they introduced to people near their seats in the sanctuary?
- Is there immediate follow-up that day from someone in the congregation?
- The guests have reached out to your congregation, but how do you intend to reach out to them? A very large percentage of people will return if visited or a contact made within the first thirty-six hours after the initial visit.
Many churches are convinced that they are models of friendliness, but closer examination might reveal that such warmth is only extended to "the family" while outsiders are frozen out!
Bishop Richard C. Looney serves as the President of The Foundation for Evangelism, Lake Junaluska, NC.