“If you cant describe what you are doing as a process, you don’t know what you’re doing.” – W. Edwards Deming
Everything Speaks to a First-Time Guest … Everything
Memorize the next sentence and make it your mantra: Everything speaks to a first-time guest…. Everything. From the moment a guest sets foot on your property, he tunes in to receive the message your church is sending. You have an obligation to strive for excellence. You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to do the very best you can with … Read More
How to Make a Great First Impression This Sunday Before the First Song is Even Sung
The pre-service is your first opportunity to interact with everyone who sets foot on your church’s property – from first-time guests to long-time members – but its purpose and influence is particularly important for first-timers. Think of it this way: Your pre-service mission, if you choose to accept it, is to do everything you can to take your guest’s guard down (and even … Read More
No Second Chances- Making a Great Impression on First-Time Guests
You won’t get a second chance. Seven minutes is all the time you have to make a positive first impression on the first-time guests who walk through your doors. In the first seven minutes of their experience with your church, your guests will decide whether or not they’re going to come back. That’s before a single worship song is sung and before a … Read More
First Time Guests that Can’t Wait to Come Back
The Church Leader Insights team and I love to read your email about how God is using what we do to help you lead your churches and reach the unchurched. Here’s one such email I received recently from Pastor Al Marks and asked if I could share with you: I have to tell you a story from Sunday. A young … Read More
Q & A – Investing in Newcomers (Fusion)
Here’s a question I received and replied to recently regarding Fusion: Q: Thanks so much for writing the book Fusion, about getting people plugged into our church. I recently found and read it, and it’s been very helpful. I like the fact that you lay out a clear, practical plan to improve how we connect with newcomers and I truly … Read More
First Time Guests Want Information
First Time Guests want to get information about your church when they are ready to receive it – not when you want to give it to them. So the question to ask yourself is: Are you making information about your church readily available to your guests? Examples of this include: – Putting out easy to find brochures about key areas … Read More