|
|
|
|
|
Identify
Your
Guests |
In a small church, this is pretty easy, but the bigger
the church the harder it is. We attended a fairly big
church for three years, sat within five seats of the
same place every Sunday morning, and got greeted as a
visitor at least once a month.
It's a challenge to treat visitors special if you can't
identify them, and if you don't treat them special, then
they wonder what the problem is and may not come back.
Maybe they'll fill out a card in the service, but you
still don't know who they are until after the fact.
All you can do is try. I think it's a whole lot better
to figure out who they are when they drive into the
parking lot, and when they're walking into the door.
Have a special parking place for them - EXTREMELY well
marked. Get it up front where you can watch it. When
someone pulls in, go out and meet them. Ask them if
they've been there before. Help them figure out where
they need to go for Sunday School or service. Ask them
if they know someone there, or if anyone in particular
has invited them. Try to get them with that person if at
all possible. Being with someone they know makes people
a lot more comfortable.
If you have one, take them to a greeting station. Coffee
and juice is nice. Have your friendliest people there to
talk with them and give them information. If possible,
get their contact information there so they won't feel
self-conscious feeling out a card during the service.
Many people are scared to death of being singled out, so
just don't do it in an obvious way.
Now this is important! Get someone who is identifiable
by your members as a greeter to escort them to where
they are going. Don't try to put a visitors badge on
your guest so that there is no chance of embarrassment.
Whoever is escorting them should be well marked so that
when they are seen with someone, everyone will know that
person is special and speak to them.
If you have multiple entrances, and especially if you
have a big or confusing church, put someone at every
entrance. If anyone walks in and looks confused, ask it
you can help. You may end up walking a regular member to
class, but that's a good thing, too.
You generally get only one shot, so make the best of it! |
|
|
|
|
