Every church shares a common foundation – it starts with individuals who were once first-time guests. Even in the case of a church plant with a dedicated core team, they were once newcomers to that very plant. Retaining first-time guests is vital for any church’s growth trajectory. According to Tony Morgan from the Unstuck Group, a church needs to average at least one first-time guest card per Sunday’s average attendance to overcome attrition. While this ratio makes growth possible, aiming for higher guest card numbers gives the church an even better shot at thriving. So, it’s not just about attracting first-time guests; it’s about keeping them. Building a solid retention strategy should come before actively chasing more newcomers.
Here are 8 strategies to keep more first-time guests:
1. Establish a First Impressions Team
To reach more first-time guests effectively, it’s essential to have a dedicated First Impressions Team. This team should be the face of the church’s hospitality, encompassing a welcoming parking team with branded wands, hosts stationed both outside and inside, and greeters as well as ushers who are clearly identified and dressed in branded shirts. One innovative idea is to have a parking attendant wearing oversized “Mickey Mouse” hands to add fun to the welcome.
2. Create a Host Tent for First-Time Guests
A visible and accessible “New Here? First Time Guest Welcome Center” pop-up tent is an excellent way to greet newcomers. Courteous host team members wearing uniformed, branded shirts or lanyards can provide a warm welcome, offer a brief tour of the church facilities, assist with children’s check-in, and ensure the guests know where and when to turn in their connection card.
3. Organize an Informal After Party
Post-service, an ‘after-party’ offers a casual setting for first-time guests to meet and interact with the pastor and church staff. Here, guests can submit their connection cards, receive a welcome gift, and have any questions answered. This additional touchpoint reinforces the connection initiated by the host team at the service’s start.
4. Prioritize the Connection Card
The connection card is pivotal; without it, there’s no straightforward way to follow up with guests. Tracking these cards helps the church understand new visitor numbers and how they discovered the church. Follow-up actions should include a personal handwritten note from the pastor, an email, an invite to a monthly new guest gathering, and possibly even a personalized video message from the pastor.
5. Address Guests During the Giving Message
During the weekly giving message, it’s crucial to acknowledge first-time guests, reassuring them that the church values their presence over monetary contributions. They should be reminded of the free gift awaiting them at the after-party. You could also cater an entire Sunday sermon for first-time guests. Some churches do a special message at the same time every year as a way to bring in new guests. Using SermonSearch, you can find numerous sermon ideas that are centered around guests.
6. Host a Welcoming Monthly Gathering
A monthly gathering for new guests is essential in fostering community and connection. The agenda should include sharing the church’s vision and values, answering frequently asked questions, providing networking opportunities, and offering newcomer’s a chance to engage in church activities or sign up for volunteer opportunities.
7. Provide Simple Ways to Connect
Easy and straightforward on-ramps for guest involvement are vital. Lengthy membership classes or extensive growth tracks can be daunting for guests, especially those with busy schedules. Simplify these processes to facilitate better engagement and connection within the church community.
8. Emphasize Simplicity and Effectiveness in Connection Strategies
In conclusion, first-time guests are a significant aspect of a church’s sustained growth and impact within the community. It is through simple yet powerful on-ramp strategies and an authentic, welcoming environment that churches can cherish and nurture these valuable new connections.
