“At The Journey, the crux of assimilation is also the heart of our overall mission: to give people the best possible opportunity to become fully developing followers of Jesus Christ. We know, as I’m sure you do, that the majority of people who visit a church do not come to Christ on their first visit – or their second or … Read More
The Importance of the Guest Table
“Some of your guests may not be in much of a hurry to duck out after Sunday service. They may want to ask some questions, get more information on specific ministries, and meet you or some of your staff. The most effective way to give them that opportunity is to designate a clearly marked guest table. During your closing remarks, … Read More
The Power of Reflecting God’s Love in Small Ways
“On big Sundays, such as Christmas or Easter, consider adding a little something extra to the free gift you give to first-time guests. We’ve been known to put movie tickets or ice-cream gift cards inside the Unshakable books we give as gifts. Never underestimate the power of wowing your guests. The unchurched first-timers who walk through our doors are usually … Read More
First-Time Guests: The 3 Things a Free Gift Should Do for Them
“Your post-service follow-up consists of the free gift you offer your first-timers and what you make available to them at your guest table. Offering a gree gift – preferably a good book – not only encourages your first-time guests to turn in their contact information, but also gives you the powerful opportunity to surprise them with something that can help … Read More
Assimilation Lessons from a BIG Mistake (Part 2 of 2)
In last week’s first of this two-part series, I mentioned how on a Sunday not too long ago, at one of our Journey early services, we had zero first-time guests. It’s very rare for us to have zero anything, so we began to drill down and figure out why there weren’t any first-time guests identified at this service. We have … Read More
The Three F’s of Follow-up
“There are three things to keep in mind as you seek to create a follow-up strategy that will bring your guests back. I like to refer to them as the three F’s of follow-up: Follow up fast. Don’t underestimate the power of a quick follow up. There is a new expectation for immediacy in our world. Be friendly. Your follow-up … Read More
Assimilation Lessons from a BIG Mistake (Part 1 of 2)
I’m confessing this to you in hopes that you will avoid making a similar mistake and take action today in evaluating your own Assimilation system. One Sunday not too long ago, at one of our Journey early services, we had zero first-time guests. It is very rare for us to have zero anything! We always have first-time guests, new believers … Read More
The Importance of Connecting with First-Time Guests
“You and I have been called to plant and water so that God can grow the harvest – and not to plant and water haphazardly, but to the best of our abilities, as we are laboring for his kingdom. We must do the work to ensure a connection with our guests. God promises that if we step toward him, he … Read More
Avoid Putting Your First-Time Guests in the Hot Seat Copy
“Most unchurched individuals stay that way because they don’t think they can visit a service anonymously. They are afraid they’ll have attention drawn to them by having to stand and say their name or participate in some other welcoming ritual. Knowing that fear of public speaking ranks higher in psychological studies than the fear of death, why do so many … Read More
Avoid Putting Your First-Time Guests in the Hot Seat
“Most unchurched individuals stay that way because they don’t think they can visit a service anonymously. They are afraid they’ll have attention drawn to them by having to stand and say their name or participate in some other welcoming ritual. Knowing that fear of public speaking ranks higher in psychological studies than the fear of death, why do so many … Read More