From the front door to the seats
Last week we talked about some things that help ensure a visitor makes it to the front door, today let’s talk about some things to do once you get them there.
Friendly greeter/greeting- Seems like a given, but I’ve been to some that made me feel like I was intruding on their private gathering. They don’t need to be over the top, but a smile and a handshake go a long way to making someone feel welcome. This is in addition to the parking area greeters that offer a smile, wave, and point me to the visitor parking area.
Literature/information- I’m NOT a fan of the bulletin hand out at the door, but that’s just a personal preference, I don’t yet have any proof that it’s helpful or hindering so I’ll leave that to you. What I KNOW works is a central point of distribution for information for visitors as well as breakout material for more info on small groups, special events, etc. The best I’ve seen have a sort of welcome desk hub that is manned by friendly and knowledgeable volunteers that can do more than hand out the right brochure but can actually talk to the information requested.
Kids drop-off- This one is HUGE! There are few things worse than coming into a church with my two young kids and staring around blankly looking for some direction, someone showing us where to go, a sign, anything! The check in process itself can take many forms, I prefer an electronic check in, to me it seems more secure, and when I’m dropping my kids off with people I’ve never met, security is IMPORTANT. On the positive side, Kids ministry done well makes everything else secondary, I GUARANTEE if the kids want to come back you’ll see the family again!
Cafe/Other- I love a well located and quality cafe at church. Of course I’m also an early thirties on and off church attendee, so if your target is the lifelong church-goer, this is probably not an area of much interest. But if you are attracting the same people you’ve always attracted, maybe it’s time to change things up. This catch all is mainly centered on the look, feel, overall experience of your environments outside of the worship spaces. It should be relevant to the crowd you are trying to attract…
Going to a new church is uncomfortable enough without having to go through additional awkwardness because of the smell, poor signage, or other hurdles we unintentionally put between people and God.
Next time we visit this subject of visitors we’ll look at what happens in the seats and then things you can do to encourage return visits and involvement.
