Which mat is at your door?

Group 236

Twelve bold congregations welcomed secret visitors into their midst, instigated by a training held earlier this year as our synod tries in 2011 to “See Ourselves As Others Do.” With 25 reports to look at, here are a few things we’ve heard.

1109welcomematsIF the pastor finds the first time visitor and says hello to them…
you might be a congregation that has laid of the WELCOME mat.

IF the pastor is the ONLY ONE who says hello to the newcomers…
you might be telling people to not come back.

On more than one occasion, in more than one of our congregations, people said they came to church, worshipped and left without a single person saying hello to them.

IF your Web site still has the summer worship schedule and it’s Ash Wednesday…
you might be telling people to stay away.

IF your Web site has a special section for first time visitors, pictures of people and up to date material…
you might be putting out a nice WELCOME mat.

Old dates on the Web site are a much more common issue than you might think. Check yours tonight. What message does it send to people checking out your congregation?

IF it’s really hard to hear what people are saying up front in worship…
you may be telling people to GO AWAY.

IF you can hear, and the sermon is good…
you may present the best chance of being listened to.

IF there are good signs that direct people to park, toward unlocked doors and the sanctuary, to the bathroom and the nursery…
you probably put out the WELCOME mat.

IF when you drive toward the church and pass it, then circle around and can’t find the right door to enter, enter the wrong one and its locked…
you might as well put out the GO AWAY mat.

IF members of your church are friendly and greet each other warmly…
you are putting out the GO AWAY mat  [ what??? ]

UNLESS you extend a greeting to others as well.

“They seemed like group of people who were very warm and loving… to each other. I really wished that someone would have made an effort, shown ‘a little personal interaction and a friendly smile.'”

Lots to think about! Tools to explore what a Secret Visitor would notice about your congregation can be found on this Web site.