Warming Up Your Easter Welcome
It’s been said that you only have one chance to make a good first impression.
As Easter weekend approaches, churches around the world are preparing to make a positive impression not only on regular attendees but especially on visitors.
Church attendance usually spikes on Easter and Christmas, and many in the crowd may be first-time visitors, people who have never entered the doors of your church before. And while much planning and preparation are directed to the music and message for the service itself, all too often, not much thought is given to the first impression the entire Sunday morning experience is making on newcomers.
Here's a checklist of ways you can warm up your Easter welcome:
1. Welcoming starts outside the building.
When I reflect on the times I’ve visited a church for the first time, my attitude toward it began being formed before I ever walked through the door.
As I scanned the entrance and the campus, little things mattered. Was the area litter-free? Was the landscaping clean and fresh? Was the signage clear – especially that which pointed toward the worship center?
Getting people in and out of the parking lot in an organized and timely manner is also significant to making a positive first impression. As people pull in, they should see friendly people smiling and directing them toward empty spaces.
Speaking of spaces, make sure your “Handicapped Parking” is well-marked. If possible, consider monitoring it to assist as needed.
One more thing. Check the forecast. Is it going to be raining or snowing? Consider allowing for people to be dropped off at the entrances and handing out umbrellas to the drivers.
2. Have greeters and “runners” at every door.
Most churches have greeters stationed at the doors. The value of a warm smile and handshake is huge. But often greeters are not given any instruction on what to do beyond that.
In your Easter service preparation, meet with your volunteers before Sunday to talk about the importance of their presence. Equip them with information so they can serve visitors well.
Remember that when visitors are entering a building they have never been in before, they will initially feel quite disoriented. Consider having “runners” at each door who can personally guide visitors to the nursery, children’s area, restrooms, and worship center. A personal escort can go a long way.
3. Have a well-marked information area.
There’s nothing more uncomfortable than feeling lost or confused when you’re in a new place. Set up a central location where visitors can ask questions or learn more about your church. Make sure it is well-marked and easy to find.
Be sure the literature is current and make sure that every person working in the information area is well-equipped to answer frequently asked questions.
4. Work hard at preparing the children's area.
Parents want to make sure the space for their children is neat and sanitary. Check and double-check this (again, monitoring the area between services).
Parents also want to know that their children are safe. If you use a check-in system, make sure it is functioning well. Add more workers there if necessary.
Nothing is more threatening than for a parent to see a crowded classroom manned by one harried teacher. You will most likely need extra volunteers in the classrooms as well.
5. Make volunteers and staff easily identifiable.
It can help if volunteers and staff have a nametag, matching t-shirts, or lanyards to be easily identifiable. This makes them more approachable to visitors who may have questions or need help.
6. Encourage your staff to engage with visitors.
One of the phrases I used with my staff was that key holidays were “All hands on deck” days. That is to say, going the extra mile was to be the norm.
This had multiple applications. I would remind them that this wasn’t a time to be standing around talking with one another or chatting with their close friends. Rather, they should be on the lookout for those who seemed lost or were standing on the fringes.
I also stressed the importance of not merely being concerned about their own areas of responsibility but also helping out wherever it was needed and however it was needed. “Whatever it takes, gang!”
Finally, be sure everyone knows what is expected of them. This not only includes arrival expectations but departure expectations. Nothing is more frustrating than when some team members come late and leave early while others are in for the long haul.
7. Train your ushers.
All too often, while the greeters smile, the ushers don’t. Let your ushers know that they are the first face visitors see when they enter the worship center. Encourage them to greet people warmly.
Make sure they are trained in assisting attendees with special needs. Ushers should know where the handicap-accessible seating areas are and how to assist those folks with respect and grace.
As the building fills, have your ushers ready to work as teams in helping people find empty seats. Have extra chairs ready to go if the building reaches capacity.
8. Limit in-house announcements and avoid insider terms.
When you are a regular in a church, you are to a great extent already “in the know” when it comes to upcoming events. Visitors don’t have a clue – and might not have any interest.
One way to make them feel like outsiders is when extended time is taken talking about in-house events (“The annual Mother/Daughter Banquet is in two weeks. Here are the details…”). Put those items in the bulletin and hold the “verbal” for another week.
Another danger is using insider terms. (“If you want to know about the youth mission trip, talk to Mary” or “CrossTown is having its annual grand prix”). Such verbiage leads to instant confusion…and instant alienation for visitors.
9. Refresh the restrooms during the services.
All too often, while the restrooms are clean before the first service, they are far from it before the second (or third) service. Have staff or volunteers monitor them throughout the morning.
10. Prepare for emergencies.
Expect the unexpected. Over the years we have had medical emergencies during the services (both inside and outside the worship center). We have had undesignated individuals try to pick up children – and then make a fuss when refused. We have had vehicle accidents in the parking lot and at the entrances.
At times like this, it’s helpful if you have people ready to step up. Consider having a medical team (doctors, nurses, EMTs) and security team (police officers or other trained individuals) identified and on call. And have a means of communicating with your key people (radios, phones, etc.)
11. Consider having police officers help exiting traffic.
If you have multiple services, understand that those coming to 2nd or 3rd service will be coming early – right when 1st service is trying to leave! This can lend itself to a major bottleneck.
Hiring off-duty police officers to assist with traffic flow can be a nice touch. It might not only prevent some fender-benders, it might prevent some road rage.
How does your church warm up their Easter welcome?
These are just a few ways that you might warm up your holiday welcome. I’m sure that there are others. I’d be curious to know which ones you would add.
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