Christian Community

Have a task force do a complete hospitality audit of your church, looking at it from the perspective of a person driving by or visiting for the first time. Consider matters like these:

• Is your church easy to find? Do you need new signs on major roads or streets near the church?
• Is your church’s name easy to read from the street?
• Is it easy to tell which entrance to use for the church office? For the sanctuary? For Sunday school or evening programs?
• Does the exterior of your church look well-maintained and attractive?
• Does the landscaping need attention?
• Are there a few parking spots close to the building reserved for the handicapped? For visitors?
• Are the sidewalks, the entrance, and the interior spaces of the church easy to navigate for persons in wheelchairs or with other mobility concerns?
• Are the restrooms clean? Without rust or mildew? Do you have lotion and tissues available?
• Are all rooms in the church clearly marked? Are there clear directional signs to classrooms?
• Do you have adequate lighting in the hallways, classrooms, and the sanctuary?
• Are there stacks of old bulletins, old magazines, or out-of-date church brochures which should be discarded?
• Are there current, attractive brochures or handouts which contain information about your church that would be helpful to visitors?
• Are the bulletin boards current? Visitors are in fact more likely than regular members to read the bulletin boards!
• Are there any rooms that need to be cleaned? Painted? Do some rooms look too institutional? Do you have old linoleum or tile that should be replaced with carpet?
• Are the rooms for infants and toddlers both attractive and clean? Do you have older bedding and toys that should be replaced?
• Are extra copies of curriculum and Bibles in the classrooms? Are teachers prepared and trained to welcome visitors?
• Are the instructions in your bulletins and worship services clear to visitors? Remember that you could have visitors who have not been to any church before coming to yours. If you are in a church that uses extensive printed liturgies that are in Books of Worship or printed liturgical booklets, be sure that you have a bulletin or helpful sheet that tells people where to find the various readings for the service.
• Are large print bulletins available?
• Is hearing amplification available?
• Do you have mints available for persons who experience coughing or a dry throat during worship?
• Do the announcements and/or joys and concerns time contain”insider” references which would make a visitor feel excluded? Do people identify themselves before sharing?
• Do you have a name tag system that is current and utilized?
• Do you have greeters positioned at the entrances to the church? Are greeters and ushers prepared to welcome visitors? Do you offer training for visitors and ushers? Do greeters and ushers know how to respond to children?
• Are all members of the congregation prepared to welcome visitors? Have you provided training in hospitality?
• Are refreshments available at a fellowship time and/or during Sunday school classes?
• Do you have members who go out of their way during fellowship time to greet visitors and introduce them to others?
• Are members of your church prepared to extend brunch or dinner invitations to your guests?
• Do you have a system in place to respond to visitors within 48 hours of their attendance by leaving a small gift at their homes? Freshly baked cookies or bread, a devotional booklet, flowers, or a mug with your church’s name are all possibilities.
• Interview people who have recently visited your church and ask them for feedback. Talk to people who have continued to come–and to those who only came once.