Think about a visitor to your church; what should you do and (maybe more importantly) what should you not do? Most churches want visitors, but too often they do not have any idea how to help a visitor have a positive experience. Here are some things to think about with church visitors.

No-Nos

Let’s start with things you should not do.

• Don’t single out visitors during church services. Some churches have visitors stand (or have everyone else stand while visitors remain seated) so they can be greeted. Some sing a song or give a gift to visitors.  This makes a terribly awkward situation for visitors. It takes courage just to walk into a strange church building. Most visitors would rather crawl under the pew than have the entire congregation focused on them, even in a kind way.

• Don’t have church visitors to introduce themselves. Most visitors prefer to stay in the background and just watch during their first time to a service. There are some gregarious visitors who are happy to introduce themselves but they are the exception and not the rule. Mr. Outgoing Visitor is going to meet a lot of people anyway. They don’t need to be singled out and for most people this would be their worst fear realized.

Things You Should Do

Making church visitors comfortable can be many simple things such as, complete clear sign letting visitors know where they need to go, clean appealing entrances, and easy visitor parking. Nice grounds and facilities will not make a visitor feel welcomed because they can be sterile and lifeless without the necessity of friendly people, but if you DO NOT have attractive and inviting parking and grounds you have made it very hard to let your people show the friendliness and love they have for visitors. Here are some specific ideas to welcome visitors.

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As a society becomes more technologically advanced, people seek out things that are more personal and familiar. It is not uncommon for a computer to be housed in a roll top desk or an antique wardrobe to serve as an entertainment center. People look for the familiar as they are in the midst of change.

They also look for personal contact as their world becomes more impersonal. Would you rather listen to a computer voice say “For customer service press ‘one’ now” or talk to a real person? That principle carries over into other areas. Because people are increasingly dehumanized by technology, they seek affirming relationships.

People are looking, often desperately, for stability and meaningful relationships. This works together causing people to hunger for personal contact. For this reason, many are seeking out churches.

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