Since I wasn’t speaking this past Sunday at church, I decided to visit a nearby church to meet the minister & see what it was like. The worship service was much like the kind I experienced as a kid. It was a bit nostalgic for me. While it wasn’t the style I would prefer today, I appreciated that the Word of God was preached accurately, an invitation to receive Christ was offered, & communion was served weekly. I also appreciated the lady who greeted me at the door & the 3 people who welcomed me as I took a seat in the back pew. Then the preacher came to greet me as well. As I revealed I was a fellow local preacher, we chatted about how fewer people are attending worship since Covid hit.
My takeaway is the same as whenever I get a chance to visit any church–the importance of being welcomed. I probably don’t say it enough because I take it for granted that we already seem to have a pretty friendly church. The problem is when we begin to default to inward friendliness to one another and forget outward friendliness to new people. That’s when we think we’re friendly…but they don’t, and don’t come back.
I was shown this past week that our “retention rate” for guests is about 25%. That is, 3 out of 4 guests don’t return. Actually, that’s not bad and pretty normal. But can we do better? What would it take? We already follow up with certain communications (a text, a notecard, an email).
We already offer what I think is a quality environment. I certainly don’t want to go down the road of hyping how “awesome” or “amazing” or “cool” our services are. I hate hype, & always trying to “top” ourselves with something flashy, trendy, or gimmicky to keep people’s attention. It can’t be about “the show” & should never be about US.
Would it take more incentives? Is that the motive we want to appeal to? I don’t think so. How about implementing more & better programs & offerings? Maybe. But do we really want to be a program-driven church, always trying to cater to the consumerist mindset of How can you better meet MY felt needs? What’s in it for ME?” People then get conditioned to keep looking for the “bigger & better deal”.
What’s the key then? First, to keep offering quality worship services faithfully week-in-week-out. We have to trust that when we’re all showing up & sincerely seeking God, genuinely engaging in singing & seriously interested in learning His Word, people will be drawn to HIM. That’s what should be attractional.
I also think it has to do largely with our friendliness to guests. To have guests, we first have to care enough to invite new people. More than ever, people aren’t just dropping into churches on their own. It doesn’t even cross their minds to try church. They have to be invited by someone they know. That’s how the Gospel has spread since the first century–through “households” of family members, friends, & neighbors.
Once they overcome the hurdle of nervously walking into a new & “religious” place where they don’t know what to expect (even if they did watch a worship service online first to check it out), they need to feel welcomed. Our church campuses need to be the friendliest pieces of real estate they’ve ever set foot on! Be on the lookout for new people. Say “Hi” to everyone around you in the lobby & in the auditorium. Claim that area of 10 feet around you as your mission field–don’t let anyone who enters “your space” get away without a warm greeting. Notice their children as well. Take the initiative to strike up a conversation. Invite them back. Those simple acts can make all the difference & change their lives forever by opening their hearts to Jesus.
Be sure to welcome guests.