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MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
Thanks for Coming
Why Visitors Return
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. People come to us from all over the community and we have to respond to them. Their first visit with us sets their expectation levels for ministry. Their subsequent visits determine whether they join us in ministry and fellowship. The ways we reach out to prospects determine whether or not they choose to join our church. The following ideas represent some of the reasons why visitors return to our church.
1) A Positive Congregational Self-Esteem
When visitors come to the church and feel uplifted by the members they encounter, they will usually return. When members feel that their church is a special place and has something to offer, visitors sense this positive energy. We communicate a positive congregational self-esteem when visitors are spoken to cordially, when people go out of their way to greet them, and when we smile and greet one another in the hallways. Also, the way we take care of our facilities and present our church to those who visit speaks volumes about how we feel about our church.
2) Congregational Unity
When visitors enter the church building they get a feel for the unity of the congregation. Visitors listen to hear how we share greetings with one another, watch to see how we shake hands, hug, or respond to one another. Visitors try to get a feel for the "love and harmony" within our church. Very few people want to be part of a congregation filled with anger, conflict, and strife. If major conflicts are at play in the congregation, the stress will be obvious. When anger and stress are evident, people will be distant and disconnected. Who wants to be a part of a church like that?
3) Enthusiasm of Pastor and Staff Ministers
Most of us are drawn to and motivated by enthusiastic leadership. Enthusiasm is infectious! Enthusiastic preaching, music, and teaching excite visitors. Enthusiastic sermons motivate the rest of us to be involved and more committed. When pastors preach with excitement and confidence, they inspire hope in the congregation. Dynamic worship motivates all of us, especially those who visit.
4) Vital Ministries
A church preaching and teaching inside its walls must be active in vital ministries to the world. Growing churches have a variety of ministries that continue to add relevance to their community. When a church provides ministry to the community, they authenticate the message they preach week in and week out. When a church is involved in the community, they communicate a strong belief in the message of Christ's love. This involvement communicates faith, hope, and love to their community. Visitors want to be a part of a meaningful program. Visitors are attracted to a church that puts into practice what it preaches.
5) Opportunities for Small-Group Study and Fellowship
We must provide multiple entry points for visitors coming to our congregations. Small-group opportunities allow for relationships to be formed. They allow for discussion of relevant faith issues. The first important entry point for today's church is the worship service. However, while worship may be exciting and uplifting, this is hardly a small-group setting. Visitors attending worship can be anonymous and slip in and out of the building. When they attend a small group, however, they begin to get a better feel for the intimacy of the fellowship.
6) A "Constant Contact" Attitude
One other key is to develop a "constant contact" approach. When visitors attend the church, we need to make every effort to contact them within twenty-four hours of their visit. It we fail to make contact, we've lost an opportunity for a positive first impression. When prospects and church members are absent, contacting them within the week of their absence is crucial. The important thing is that we communicate our care for their absence. Under no circumstances should we manipulate them with guilt or shame for their absence! We are to contact them because of sincere love and concern.
7) Sincere & Authentic Relationships
Too many churches today are characterized by slick marketing campaigns, spiritual spin, and "too perfect" projections of themselves. This approach may draw visitors once, but the key to reaching people is through sincere and authentic relationships with them. Visitors are looking to see if we really do believe what we say we believe. Visitors are testing us to see if we are honest about our mission/vision. Christianity is based on sincerity and honesty. We have to be authentic about our faith and how it influences our daily living.
An excerpt from Building Blocks for Sunday School Growth, by Bo Prosser, with Michael McCullar and Charles Qualls
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