Church leaders should expect newcomers at all worship services, and plan accordingly. Thom Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, recently shared a list of helpful hints reflecting on his visits to a number of churches over the last seven months. He recommends congregations:
- have plentiful signage on the outside and inside,
- offer user-friendly websites, and
- help newcomers easily locate parking and restrooms.
So What?
Rainer’s recommendations are ones that should be embraced by all. In reality, there is often a disconnect between acknowledging that these recommendations should be followed and actually following them. Consider inviting a few people to visit your church who have never been before for the express purpose of providing you feedback about these key areas. These newcomers will be able to offer invaluable insight and perspective that simply cannot be achieved by those who are regular participants.