Great news – the wait is officially over! I can pull back the curtains and reveal to you what my entire team has been working on these last few weeks – my brand new, 10-years-in-the-making resource that will grow your church faster than ever by helping you keep more first-time guests! I’m excited to share this exclusive with you today. Just … Read More
Why you should never use the “V” word
How do you view the new folks who come through your doors each week? If you’ve been referring to them as what I call the “V-word” (aka “visitor”) I strongly suggest you change your language and use the more welcoming word, GUEST. “Visitor” implies an unwelcome drop-in or intrusion. But a first-time GUEST now demands more care and consideration in … Read More
Are you prepared for Mother’s Day first-time guests?
Mother’s Day is THIS Sunday (can you believe it?) and I’m excited for the wave of first-time guests we’ll be seeing here at The Journey. It’s a BIG day for all of us in ministry – and I have two questions for you to consider: 1 – Are you ready to welcome and follow up with each potential new member … Read More
Refresh Your Assimilation – FREE Executive Summary!
As a pastor, nothing is more painful than seeing first-time guests come through your doors – and never returning again. It may seem hopeless – until you understand the mindset of your guests and that there IS a process you can master to close the back door! It’s called Assimilation and, as we enter a busy spring season, NOW is the … Read More
The (Huge) Responsibility of First-Time Guests
Creating an environment that makes your first-time guests feel both welcomed and respected is key to winning a return visit and beginning the process of assimilating them well. When God entrusts you with first-time guests, you face an incredible responsibility. A first-time guest wants to feel respected and welcomed. He wants to know that you are happy he’s there, and that … Read More
The Power of ONE Idea
History recounts over and over again a number of times where a single, light switch-flipping insight made all the difference in the world. All it could take to radically transform your church from a plateaued or declining church to a thriving, local outpost for Christ-centered life change is a single, great idea. Over the years, I’ve heard story after story … Read More
Drop “us vs. them” mentality
Here is an engaging article written by RNS columnist Jonathan Merrit about his interview with the innovative James Emery White, senior pastor and author of the new book “Rise of the Nones: Understanding and Reaching the Religiously Unaffiliated”. When it comes to navigating the interface between faith and culture, there aren’t a lot of pastors I look to. Most … Read More
Treat First-Time Guests with “Raving Fan” Service
A first-time guest wants to feel respected and welcomed. He wants to know that you are happy he’s there, and that you are serious about making sure he has a good experience. The way you, your team, and your regular attenders treat him and his family will tell him most of what he needs to know. Sadly, a large majority … Read More
10 Things Church Guests Never Want to Hear
As we gear up for summer first-time guests, here is a great reminder on what NOT to do in welcoming them, from Ben Reed, the small groups pastor at Long Hollow, a multi-site church in the Nashville, TN area. Our pastor isn’t normally this ________. We’re full. Sorry. What are you doing here? You can’t serve now … you’ve got … Read More
Your church can grow this summer – Keep summer guests coming back!
Summer is a popular time of the year for people to move and these folks are going to be looking for a home church in their new community. You’ll be seeing many more people in transition coming to your church for the very first time this summer! The pre-service is your first opportunity to interact with everyone who sets foot on your church’s … Read More