What happens at the door

So super excited to have just joined the welcome team at my church. And here’s why? Research shows that most visitors will have made up their minds in the first two minutes whether they come again or not. So if I can help them, I’m in!

This might be discouraging if you are a pastor and were hoping it would be something in your talk or because you know your worship team are on ‘holy fire’ at the moment! But actually, it is probably the small, almost missed things that will decide whether you win a second Sunday off your visitors or not.

Take ‘hotel doorman’ theory. There is value in having someone stand at the front of a hotel even when the door can be automatically opened. It is the smile, the reassurance, the knowledge of taxis, the umbrella, and the small comments that will make a guest’s stay more memorable.

These are the small, intangible things that are so hard to put a value on but worth everything when visiting a church for the first time.

That’s because we are created to be social animals, and those small human moments of connection are what keep us coming.

John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Church used to say, “People come to church for many years reasons but stay for only one — relationship.” After 28 years of pastoral experience, I think that is very true.

It takes a lot of guts to turn up to church when you don’t know what you believe and everyone seems to know someone else.

So if I can help bring a smile and ease the tension a little I reckon the sermon has already begun.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident, and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does