Become an “open door” kind of church, spreading the good news of Jesus to all!
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelations 3:20
Do you remember those New Year’s resolutions that we discussed a couple of weeks ago? Maybe you’re doing a great job, or maybe you’ve already fallen off the wagon and that’s ok! You may have made a resolution to really become an “open door” kind of church, spreading the good news of Jesus’ birth as a light for everyone who comes in your doors. Now is a great time to think about those goals. What brings people into your church, and how do you keep them coming back?
Here are some suggestions on becoming an open door church and keeping your visitors coming back:
- Make sure your parking situation is clearly marked and easy to follow.
- Have a hospitality team greeting at the door and a visitor table with Welcome Packages, custom gift bags, and other outreach tools available.
- Make sure parents know how to drop their kids off at Sunday school, and make them feel safe while doing so. Have a hospitality team member available to show them where to go, especially for latecomers who may walk into a seemingly empty hallway and get confused.
- Consider giving away a pen, ribbon or bookmark after your services. This is a subtle way of showing that your church has a generous spirit, and gives them a little reminder of their visit.
- Make sure that you or your pastor is available after the service. Having them accessible, even in the biggest churches, helps connect your church with newcomers.
- Consider having a one night a month, where your church family gathers for a meal or potluck to welcome all of the new members of the church!
By ensuring that these small changes are made, you can make your space inviting to your newcomers, and be more successful in keeping them connected to your Church family!
