Word Count: 397 – Est Read Time: <2 Minutes
What’s Up
Despite widespread efforts to improve church hospitality, many congregations (actually, the majority!) are unintentionally becoming less welcoming to newcomers. Your church’s welcome needs some work.
So What
First impressions are critical. When guests feel overlooked or unwelcome, they tend not to return. It’s essential to assess and enhance our hospitality practices to foster genuine connections.
The Point Is
Hospitality Practices Are Declining
Recent data reveals a decrease in key welcoming practices:
– Only 18% of churches have greeters in the parking lot
– Just 66% offer a central location for guests to learn about the church
– A mere 58% host information sessions for newcomers
– Only 80% provide printed cards for guest follow-up, and most aren’t getting them filled out!
[LifeWay Research – https://research.lifeway.com/2025/04/08/churches-aim-to-welcome-guests-by-different-methods/]
Superficial Greetings Aren’t Enough
A simple “Good morning, welcome to Walmart,” … I mean, “Welcome to First Church” isn’t a conversation. It doesn’t foster genuine connection nor does it make anyone feel “welcome.” (Do YOU get a warm and fuzzy when the Walmart Greeter greets you?!) Guests need meaningful interactions to feel truly welcomed.
Meaningful Conversations Matter
The number one complaint first-time visitors give for not returning is that “nobody spoke to me.” This doesn’t mean no one said hello … it means no one actually engaged them in a real conversation.
Consistency Beyond Special Occasions
While churches may roll out the red carpet on Easter Sunday, it’s vital to maintain a welcoming atmosphere every week to retain and engage newcomers.
And … ?
According to Lifeway Research, while over 99% of churches employ at least one method to welcome guests, the depth and effectiveness of those methods vary wildly and are on the decline.
Smaller churches in particular are falling behind: congregations with fewer than 50 attendees are less likely to have greeters at entrances (80%) or even provide printed connection cards for guest follow-up (70%).
These stats confirm what many of us have been feeling: churches may think they’re friendly, but the guest experience says otherwise. It’s not about being polite. It’s about being intentional. A good welcome doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a strategy.
Action!
Download the free Connection Conversation handout and start training your members to move from “greeting” to “connecting.” And if you’re really committed to keeping your visitors coming back, get the Keep Your Visitors Template and turn visitors into returning guests again and again.
