In small congregations it is easy for long timers to recognize newcomers. In very large congregations, including megachurches, no one knows everyone. While these contrasts may suggest that smaller size is correlated to more friendly congregations, research has shown that how first time guests perceive their experiences is based on far more than just size. Faith Perceptions work finds that, overall, the most effective congregation sizes for positive first time guest experiences are
- large;
- small, medium and mega (all with very similar ratings); and
- extra large and micro.
Bud Brown (pictured at right), president of Transition Ministries Group, recently wrote about the unique challenges and opportunities megachurches face in seeking to be friendly communities of faith. In order to help these parishes succeed, he suggests
It’s all about the metrics. What gets measured gets done. A mega-church can become friendly, but it is a huge challenge.
So What?
While many large, extra large and megachurches claim to be friendly, far fewer actually are perceived as friendly by newcomers. As one who has sat in many meetings in congregations with average worship attendance exceeding 500, I am no stranger to the many possible approaches. The deeper issue, however, is about DNA. Is being welcoming a core value that exists throughout the community of faith or is it simply another program or activity engaged in primarily by a group or groups of interested persons?
Brown suggests a series of questions to help leadership groups arrive at better metrics, including:
- What is the lag time between a first visit and contact by a non-paid member of the church? (forget the pastor’s welcome letter; it’s nothing more than useless chatter these days)
- How often does the church employ a “secret shopper” guest to give impartial evaluation of the hospitality?
- Is the congregation regularly instructed that members waiting for the service to begin should greet a number of people and not chat with one person at length?
- How effective is the enfolding process in moving first-time guests into regular fellowship in small groups, connecting them with staff members and ensuring their spiritual needs are met or at least prayed for? What is the percentage rate?
- Finally, what percentage of first-time guests eventually become regular attenders who are engaged in service through the church?