I filmed this short video recently to recruit people to our new ‘Greeting’ ministry:

See more on Greeting (or Welcoming) here.

How should you follow up a newcomer to church?

At my church, we send out an email (if we have these contact details), with links to a ‘first impressions’ survey.

At another church I know, the pastor befriends visitors with a message and friend request on Facebook.

I spoke with a pastor recently who follows up newcomers with a phone call. To be honest, I’ve never been a big fan of this approach – mainly because I don’t like unsolicited phone calls and ignore all calls from numbers I don’t recognise.

Continue reading…

Mountain Park Community Church Welcome Video from Tipping Media on Vimeo.

A great idea from C3:

1. a Christian
2. smiley and friendly (i.e. attracts people, doesn’t repel them)
3. attends church regularly (you can’t welcome if you’re not there)
4. can engage in conversations with people they don’t know
5. can empathise with someone who doesn’t normally attend church
6. makes people around them feel comfortable (i.e. not social awkward)
7. desires to welcome new people into the church family (i.e. doesn’t just want to ‘get a job done’)

What would you add to this list?

…if people at church are unfriendly, rude, or ignore the new people who come along as a result.

The first 7 minutes are crucial.

Developing a culture where every member cares for the newcomer is crucial (note: I don’t pretend to know how to do this, I just know it’s important).

I also know that we’re wasting our time promoting our churches in the community if people get a bad reception when they finally summon up the courage to attend.