In yesterday’s blog post, I shared that Assimilation is one of those systems where a little bit of tweaking can reap BIG results. I posed some basic questions to help you evaluate your Assimilation process and promised to share four key areas that you can easily address to create a welcoming environment.

One of the questions I asked yesterday in evaluating your Assimilation process was: Do you need to fix your language?

I’m talking about the “V” word. Don’t refer to those who come to your church for the first time as “visitors.” A visitor is someone you weren’t expecting.

Start thinking of them as guests.

There are four key areas to creating a welcoming environment for your guests:

Greeted. This involves both your people who are out front greeting and the physical surroundings, including the parking lot and landscaping.

Treated. It’s uncomfortable for someone to come to church for the first time. Are you thinking through their needs and alleviating that discomfort? Do they get the impression that you’re glad to see them? This includes the cleanliness of your restrooms and the security of your kids’ area. Your guests make up their mind if they’ll be back within the first seven minutes of walking in the door.

Directed. If someone is new to your church, will he or she know where to go? Whether you’re renting or you own your own building, don’t take clear signage for granted. Then in the service be sure to direct them so folks know when to stand, when to pray, when to prepare for the offering and other key moments.

Seated. Tighten up your usher process. Make sure you’re helping people find a seat and that you have enough space for them.

With a little evaluation and preparation, you’ll be ready to welcome TWICE as many first-time guests in the future!

Your partner in ministry,

Nelson

P.S. – Upgrade these four key areas with the right system!

You have people attending each week for the first time but it’s difficult to get them to return to church for a second time. And if WE DON’T GET THEM TO COME BACK, they are never going to become fully developing followers of Jesus.

The great news is there IS a proven process to welcome first-time guests, get them to return again and again, and effectively move them to membership and an ongoing relationship with Christ.

10 years in the making, it’s completely updated and expanded to be 30% longer with 50% more content – the latest learnings and strategies that have worked in my church and at over 3,000 churches across all sizes and denominations.

Plus, it’s organized for team training with seven powerful sessions that you can go through at your own pace – easily one per week!

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME – you have a Team Training DVD Option! Train your staff and key leaders — I will be right there on the screen walking you through each of the seven sessions of training.

Multiple package options available to fit your budget – Click here to choose from Download, CD or DVD! Plus save up to 90% with Early Release bonuses – Hurry, opportunity ends soon!

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.