Is Your Church Visitor Friendly?

Do you remember when you first started going to your church? Maybe you were lucky and you were born into the church. You’ve always been there and you know every corner of the church. You know all the church business. Now think about that guest that showed up today…

Is Your Church Visitor Friendly?

Things You’ll Need:
Imagination
Knowledge of your church
Help from other church members
Passion for Christ (& for your church)
Desire to bring others into your church

Step 1
Helping someone get acquainted with your church can be easy. Let me start by saying our goal should never be to increase our people taking up seats in our church. Our goal should always be to introduce others to Christ. To show others how to have an intimate relationship with Christ.
Step 2
If you can do a brochure, this is the best way to get a lot of information into a small package. If you are able to add pictures, it really makes your brochure noticeable.
Step 3
The first thing in your guest packet should be a church business card. Does your church have a Mission Statement? Why is your church here? If you don’t have one, your church should decide on a Mission Statement. It’s like the saying goes “If you don’t stand for something, anything and everything can make you fall.” Your Mission Statement should be typed neatly and in the front of the packet with a church business card. On the same paper, briefly list what your church beliefs are, your church creed, etc.
Step 4
With the help of some other church members, gather some information about your church. Dig up some history on your church. When did the doors open? How many people were in the first church service? If you have a large youth group, when did it start and how many were in the original group. Do the same for other groups in your church (Ladies group, Men’s group, Music program, children’s department, etc.). Make it brief but informative. Only highlight the ministries still active in your church. If ten years ago you had a Children’s Bible Quiz Team but you no longer have one, don’t put that group in your packet. It’s misleading to someone who might want their child to participate in Bible Quizzing.
Step 5
Do you have a Mission Department? What has your church (not the denomination but the actual church) done for churches around the world, for the local community and for any charitable organizations. This is the best place to highlight how your church cares about people.
Step 6
Now that they know where your church came from and what your church does for others, it’s time to tell them what you can do for them. This is where you give a brief description of your programs as they are now. Does your church have a softball team? Does your church have a prayer service at a convalescent home? Does your church have an on going soup kitchen or clothing drive? Do you have a weekly or monthly meeting for new people to meet and fellowship with the congregation? Does your children department have Bible Quizzing group? Is there a weekly prayer meeting? Highlight the most important things about your church. Why would someone want to come to your church? What do you offer? If your church is worth coming to, one of the first things and most important things should be Christ. All of the programs you offer should be ways to serve people while sharing Christ. This is what will draw people to your church therefore giving you the opportunity to share Christ.
Step 7
You’ve done the past and the present history. Now it’s time to give them information on the people. No I don’t mean the latest gossip on your congregation. I mean, a nice typed page with the contact information on it. Who’s the Pastor and how can they contact them? Who’s the Children’s leader and how can they contact them? You get the idea. Make sure everyone who does a job in the church is taken into consideration for this list. It may seem silly but my husband and I changed churches two years ago and we are just starting to figure out who does what in some ministries. For instance, you may think it isn’t important that new people know who types up the calendar of events for your church. If they have a question about something (a typo or omitted time for an event) they may feel uncomfortable asking the Pastor about something so small and they may decide not to come to that activity. If they new Jane Doe typed the calendar, they might ask Jane Doe and if Jane didn’t know, she could tell the person who planned that event or Jane could find out for them.
Step 8
Now that you have the information together in one place, it’s important for you to have a way to contact the new person visiting your church. Put a “Visitor Card” in the packet. It doesn’t have to be a detailed card on their whole life. Just the basics, Name, How may we contact you, Number of children & their ages, How did you find us (if someone invited them, that person may be the best person to follow up with them).
Step 9
Add a pen or pencil with your church name and phone number and your packet is done.

Tips & Warnings
1. This can be used for any organization. Just delete what wouldn’t work and add things important to you organization.
2. Do a separate one for your youth group. Teens love to feel like adults and giving them a Welcome Packet makes them feel like they have a say in choosing their church. Make theirs a mug with a pen or pencil (with the church information on it) and a book mark with your youth schedule, programs your church offers, youth mission statement, etc. on it (you can make this on any computer using card stock and a lamination machine).
3. Make sure anyone whose information is being put on the brochure has given their permission. If they prefer their personal information not be given, you can have the church information listed for their contact.

* This is meant as a guideline and should be adjusted to your church or organization.