Word Count: 380 – Est Read Time: <2 Minutes
What’s Up?
Nobody is looking for a “friendly church.” They expect it. What they need is to connect – and if they don’t, they won’t return. Guest connections with your members and your church is the key to the future.
So What?
A church can’t grow without retention. And first-time visitors rarely return unless they form a meaningful connection. Want to stop being a revolving door? You need a strategy.
The Point Is …
1. Have a Real Conversation
Pleasantries won’t cut it. “Good morning” and “Glad you’re here” are surface-level greetings. Instead, introduce yourself. Ask how long they’ve been coming (not “Are you new?”). Follow up with “What keeps you busy during the week?” That opens the door to a real conversation.
2. Preach to Their Problems
No one outside the church lost sleep over the theological nuances of the Trinity last night. But plenty of people tossed and turned over failing marriages, addictions, financial stress, or looming life transitions. The Bible speaks to all of it. If your sermons don’t, guests will find somewhere else that does.
3. Follow Up Immediately
Waiting until a second or third visit to follow up? Don’t bother—most first-time visitors won’t come back. The window of opportunity is right after the first visit. And that follow-up can’t be a lifeless mail-merged form letter. Effective follow-up means five touches within the first week, starting with Sunday afternoon.
And …?
Think about the last time you were new somewhere. Maybe a conference, a new job, or a neighborhood gathering. Did anyone take time to truly engage with you? If they did, you probably felt at ease, welcome, and you maybe even returned. If they didn’t, odds are you didn’t stick around. The same is true in church. We’re wired for connection, and if people don’t find it, they’ll keep looking.
Church growth isn’t about getting people in the door – it’s about getting them to stay. A welcoming handshake is a start, but it’s not nearly enough. Guests must feel seen, heard, and valued, or they’ll be out the door before the final hymn finishes.
Action!
Create a first-time visitor follow-up plan that includes five personal touches within the first week starting with Sunday afternoon. Then execute it this Sunday.
