It is important that we create positive first impressions.

Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

I Peter 2:9, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

To “shew forth” is obviously a visible thing and has to do with the impression we leave on others. It is our responsibility to let the world see Christ. Our works ought to lead others to glorify Christ. Our light that we shine forth ought to impress people to have a heart to glorify God.

We must understand that many of the first-time guests we receive are lost, and how we treat them could make a difference in whether they ever get saved.

Matthew 10:16, Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves

We need God’s wisdom as we try to reach a lost world for Christ. 

Pre-Service Responsibilities

The second a person pulls onto our church property this process begins. What they see, what they experience starts to impress upon them. Is it easy to pull in? What do things look like? How are they treated?

As we all know, it is hard to shake the first impression. That is why it is essential to maintain things like the lawn, flowers beds, church sign and exterior of your building.

Do you allow a bad spirit, lack of planning to hinder your potential for church growth?

Absolutely everything speaks to a first-time guest.

Most people decide to either come back or not within the first ten minutes of their visit. Even before your first hymn or the beginning of your message.

First impressions take place in four areas.

Great people with a “Glad you are here.” People enjoy feeling welcome when they arrive.

Greeting involves such ministries as Parking Lot Greeters, Door Greeters, and Ushers.

Use of signs and banners can be used to help people feel received.

Sunday School teachers and nursery workers being on time and in place when your guests arrive.

When someone pulls onto your property, is it clear where they are to go? If you are unable to have Parking Lot Greeters, then proper signage will work.

When they come inside, do you have people in place to show people to where they need to go? Again, wall signs are excellent. Many times people don’t want to ask a stranger where something is especially the ladies room.

Restrooms and children’s ministry areas need to be clearly marked.

Do you look at a guest as a number or a potential giver? Maybe they can start a new ministry?

We need to value them as a soul that will spend somewhere in eternity.

Do any gifts, we give, out demonstrate that we value our guests?

Make sure restrooms, and children’ ministry areas are clean. Be friendly.

Guest are not comfortable with asking strangers if they can come into the pew.

This is where it is important to have good ushers. Have your ushers ask members to move to the center.

Make sure you leave good seats for guest, not making them sit in the front.

Now it is time to prepare for the:

I understand we need to leave room for the Holy Spirit to move, but planning is crucial.

Come early and make sure heating and air conditioning are working. Check to see if all needed lights are on. All computer and sound equipment is set up. Do not have people setting up mic cords as the service starts.

True worship takes place in the power of God and His Spirit. Therefore, worship is to be powerful.

Worship requires that we have adequately prayed for the service, that the pastor is walking in the Spirit. Members have prayed and are right with God.

Begin the service expecting God to do great things. 

Come with a spirit to participate. If a guest is seeing you not participating in the service, why should they?

Do we impress our guests that we are entering into the very presence of God?

Hebrews 13:15 – By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name

Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

You will never get everyone to fill out a connection card, but I believe a proper system will help you to maximizes the number who will fill out a guest card.

You can use a generic card that goes into the pew but a custom card each week works best.

Give out the card and a bulletin to EACH person as they enter the service.

Have everyone fill out a card.

During the Guest Welcome.

Guests don’t like to be centered out. Ask during your welcome for everyone to fill out a card.

Guest are more comfortable, filling out the card when they observe everyone doing it.

This will involve teaching your members, in advance, the importance of filling out these cards. Ask members to fill out the name and email and ask guests to fill out whatever they are comfortable doing.

Teach the church family the importance of guests seeing them fill out the connection card. When guests notice the members doing it, it will encourage them to do it also.

During the Preaching

During your preaching or at the conclusion, you can draw people back to the connection card. You can ask them to make a spiritual commitment or ask them to commit to memorizing the scripture verse for the week.

During the Offering

Have everyone place the connection card in the offering.

Give people a reason to use the card. 

Have a place for people to sign up for events. Give them an opportunity to make a spiritual decision for Christ.