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What’s Up?
Let’s be honest: For first-time guests, Sunday mornings at church can feel more like a hostile zone than a safe haven. It’s time to create a guest-friendly Sunday.
So What
Most visitors only know church from TV or social media, and let’s face it, the media hasn’t done the church any favors. Whether your congregation thinks it’s friendly or not, walking into an unfamiliar church for the first time is intimidating.
The Point Is
1. Friendly Faces Start Outside
No one wants to walk up to a closed door and wonder what’s waiting on the other side. A simple fix? Station warm, smiling greeters outside the building. When a guest pulls into the parking lot, the first thing they should see is a friendly wave, not a blank stare or worse, a group of members huddled in their own conversations.
2. Ditch the Walmart Greeting
“Good morning, welcome to First Church” is the equivalent of the Walmart greeter’s robotic “Welcome to Walmart.” Guests don’t just need an acknowledgment, they need a connection. A real conversation makes them feel seen and valued. Train your welcome team to engage beyond pleasantries. A simple, “We’re so glad you’re here! I’m Bill, I don’t think we’ve met” followed by real conversation can open the door to meaningful engagement.
3. Preach for Your Guests, Not Just Your Members
People don’t walk through your church doors because they’re dying to hear a deep exposition on Ephesians 3. They come because life has knocked them down, and they’re desperate for hope. Your sermon should speak directly to the struggles people are facing: finances, marriage, parenting, addiction, anxiety – while pointing them toward Jesus. Preach to inspire first, and save the deep-dive theology for small groups and Bible studies.
And…?
Most churches think they’re welcoming, but guest experience studies tell a different story. If you want to know how visitors truly feel, try a secret guest program. Have someone unfamiliar with your church attend anonymously and give honest feedback. Were they greeted warmly? Did they feel comfortable navigating the building? Did the sermon speak to real-life issues? You might be surprised at what you learn.
Action!
Get a copy of the Hospitality Short List – a concise list of ways you can improve your church’s guest-friendly Sunday.
