For the video version of this post, click here!
Your church might be making people feel unwelcome before they even arrive.
Decades ago, this would not be an issue.
But in this day in age where so many people rely on the internet, where communication is nearly constant, and when we have become used to certain standards of welcome, churches need to be more intentional.
Not certain what that looks like? Try out these tips to make your guests feel more welcome before they even arrive:
Make Your Website Clear
We’ve talked about this before and we are sure we’ll talk about it again.
One of the best steps you can take to make your church community more welcoming to potential guests is to fill out your website with as clear details as possible.
Including a “I’m New Here” or “Start Here” section helps visitors know exactly where to go for the information that’s just for them.
Beyond these guest-focused sections, be sure viewers know exactly how to get to your church and contact your church. If you are providing additional sections to showcase your mission and ministries, do your very best to keep them up to date.
It does not leave a good impression on guests to see a website that is full of incomplete or outdated information. Even worse is when they can’t figure out how to find you or when you are meeting!
Create a Welcome Video
Leveling up from simply having the essentials on your website, consider what it might involve to create a welcome video for your community.
This video would require a bit more time and effort beyond a simple Facebook post or email, but it is bound to be monumentally more engaging.
Your welcome video can include appearances by key leaders and should address frequently asked questions about your church. This might include what your community does on a weekly basis, how to navigate your building, and what is most meaningful to your community.
Keep it shorter – not much more than five minutes.
Keep it punchy – people don’t need to go through a new member course, they just want the highlights!
Provide subtitles – if you can! Not every church will have the skills to add text to their videos but if you can navigate it, this will only increase your video traction.
Outline the Arrival Process
This one can be a game changer for guests.
One of the most anxiety-producing parts of trying out a new church is often the arrival process.
- Where do I park?
- Which door do I go in?
- Where do I go from there?
- Where should I sit?
- Will I need a nametag?
- Where do my children go?
- What do I wear?
And so many more questions from there.
Ask a friend or family member what questions they would have if they were trying out a new church. They would likely be able to give you good advice at what other questions might be particular to your community or building.
Creating a step-by-step photo walkthrough or video walking guests through every aspect of the arrival process is guaranteed to calm anxieties and encourage additional visitors to give your church a try.
Be Reachable
For many people, communication with others is nearly constant these days.
There are daily emails, social media notifications, text messages, and even phone calls.
For many of your potential guests, digital communication is how they run their lives.
Now, this does not mean that you need to cater to this completely. Church leaders need to create and maintain healthy boundaries as much as any leader. Simply put, churches do not need to be reachable 24/7.
But they do need to be reachable.
There needs to be a way for people to connect with a member of your staff or leadership without making a phone call, writing a letter, or showing up in person.
For some of you, this advice will seem obvious.
For others, you will need to learn how to set up your first email account.
The more connection points you can provide, the smoother communication will operate.
While it may make more sense for your church to protect your leaders’ privacy and only offer one contact email for the entire church, that means someone is going to have to take the time to filter those messages. Even if they are the hardest worker in the entire Church, they are still going to make this process take longer than if a guest could just email their leader of choice directly.
Consider the pros and cons of whatever set up you decide to go with. Just be reachable.
Welcome with No Strings Attached
Most churches think that they are welcoming.
What some churches don’t realize is that their welcoming appears to come with strings attached.
Some church websites are all about getting guests in their doors, but are just a bit too eager to sign them up as members, volunteers, or givers as soon as physically possible.
Unfortunately, if this comes out in your online or offline communication, you may lose some potential guests before they even arrive.
People do not want to feel used. And they might not be all that interested in membership, volunteering, or giving.
Instead, they may just need to be valued for who they are.
Welcomed, with no strings attached.
Provide Directional Signage
Finally, providing directional signage may be a helpful practice for your church.
This is especially true if:
- Your campus is particularly difficult to find
- Your church is located down a long road
- Your church address doesn’t always match where the GPS sends people
- Parking is confusing
- It is unclear what building people should go to
- It is unclear which door(s) people should go to
Signs may be staked in the ground, along the road, on doors, or even hand-held each Sunday morning.
Taking the time to think of your guests will be appreciated by anyone with any hesitancy about whether or not they are in the right location.
That’s it!
Follow any one or more of these six steps and your guests will feel even more welcomed before arriving at your place of worship.
Find this article helpful? Share it with a friend and subscribe to our mailing list for exclusive monthly Digital Ministry tools or subscribe to our YouTube channel for more weekly tips to help your community be church online.