Podcast Episode #089
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First impressions are important for churches. And on today’s episode, we cover seven main areas in which your church can make improvements to improve the first impression you make to new guests.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- Guests will go to your website before coming to your church facility. Make sure location and service times are prominent.
- Churches are notorious for clutter—they become a Goodwill store that doesn’t sell anything.
- Visitors who come to a church for the first time don’t know where to go. They need signage.
- Using a mystery guest once or twice a year can help you identify issues guests to your church may have.
- Church facility issues can easily turn off guests.
The seven key improvements your church can make are:
- Church web site.
- Clean up clutter.
- Landscaping.
- Directional signage.
- Restrooms: clean with signage.
- Fresh paint.
- Parking lot signage.
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I think another item to add to this list would be properly used AVL systems. I believe this is something that can turn a visitor off without them even knowing it. Properly used sound, video and lighting can effect us emotionally and mentally without us even being aware. (There is at least some scientific data about this out there) Also, the audio system is the foundation for everything that happens in the worship service. Without it (especially in a larger building) neither the sermon or the music (The message we are trying to convey) are going to come across as well (as strongly) as intended. And this issue becomes larger and larger the younger the audience (under 40). I know some churches want to have the best of the best technology spending millions annually (And I don’t believe that is right) but the vast majority of churches are on the other end of that spectrum, and are very ineffectively using a very important communication tool in today’s culture.
Clutter! I turn into Captain Kirk when I see clutter and start yelling – CLUTTEEEEER! (instead of Khan…). This is one of the easiest ways to improve even the most modest Church settings. At times it is challenging for people to let go of “stuff” because “we might need it”.
So true!
I am the new pastor of a church and I was warned not to clean out the clutter because “people would be offended”. We cleaned it up anyway and I found that the people I was most cautious of offending, supported me (and even helped) the most!
Clutter issues turn off church members too. How many hours/days/weeks have I spent over the years helping sort through church clutter that no one had any idea about, the history of it, the why of it, the how long has it been here of it. The how did it get here and what can we do with this of it? Maybe team leaders (worship, Christian ed, missions, etc) need to add the job of “stuff” management to their program management.
Thom,
Good list…
My wife and I conduct a national itinerate ministry and have been hosted by churches of every size and, thus far, representing forty-five denominations. I am constantly amazed at the number of churches across the country, many of which are small to mid-sized, who as yet do not have a website. You mention that most people today will visit a church website prior to attending. Absolutely true. Pastors, regardless of how small your fellowship is, invest in getting even a simple, but attractive website in order and on-line. It is the replacement for Yellow Pages. I have known not one person in the past ten years who has searched for a church in the YP. They head for your website.
In the same way, I am frequently puzzled by the difficulty I have negotiating the site. The most basic, and important, information is often hidden obscurely under a sub-heading. Get contact info: address / phone # / directions, etc front and center…preferably clearly and prominently etched on the home page. Don’t make people dig to find what they want. The world of web development is both technical and artistic. Just don’t let the artistic urges of your web developer or master keep the essential information hidden behind an impressive home page.
I would love to get some suggestions on questions to ask a mystery guest to answer for you based on their experience or if you recommend just getting general feedback from them without giving them any prompts. I’m considering contacting a friend who does not attend our church to come by during the week and help me with several of these things.
Excellent article.
I would add a thought. While it is not facility related I do believe it has a relationship to an unkempt (cluttered) facility.
It is an unkempt pastor and/or staff. A pastor or staff that does not pay close attention to themselves (ie shoes shined, proper color or design combo’s, proper fit, etc.) are often not likely to pay close attention to the facilities.
We must remember that rarely does one get a second chance to make a good first impression.
I really agree with this. There’s a difference between casual that is neat, and casual that is sloppy.
In all cases where it is used, replace the word “visitor” with “guest” (parking signs, cards in bulletin or pew backs, welcome center, and voiced greetings). Visitors’ Centers are what cities have for welcoming people who are just passing through (and we don’t want our church guests to be in that category)!
The Americans With Disabilities Act went into effect in 1994. I realize that most existing buildings were exempt from most requirements of that act, and that religious organizations can get further exemptions.
In the last four years, I’ve gone church shopping in two states, and a dozen different cities and towns.
I’m constantly surprised by:
* “Handicapped parking” that is too small for a wheelchair to exit/enter a vehicle parked in the space;
* The lack of wheelchair access;
* The lack of audio tools for the hearing impaired;
* The lack of braile signs;
* The lack of guide points for blind people to use to navigate the church campus;
* Bathrooms that fail to meet ADA requirements;
Overall, the portrayed message to those with a11y needs becomes “Go to Hell”.
My churches Pastoral team is trying to make some of these well thought out improvements. Do ya’ll have any recommendations of websites to find indoor church signage at an affordable price at?
I know we are talking about exterior improvements and such, which implies that the most important thing has already been addressed; the person in the pulpit. I don’t care how great the parking, bathrooms, and signage are if the pastor won’t /can’t preach solid Christ centered messages, I won’t go back.