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Greeting new visitors to church is essential if you want to grow your ministry. According to Pew Research Center, 79% of people said feeling welcomed played an important role in choosing a new place of worship. And Easter sees a surplus of newcomers, giving you a big opportunity to make a lasting impression. But, how you welcome visitors is important.
At easyTithe, we created the 2018 Easter Visitor Welcome Kit filled with helpful information, and you can grab that right here! To enhance your welcoming efforts (even more), check out these 5 creative ways to welcome visitors to your church.
1. Make a positive first impression with technology
There’s a good chance you’ve already welcomed newcomers virtually. Your website, social media accounts, and other digital footprints you’ve made online is one of the first places that people find you. Keep these uncluttered and updated so guests always have accurate information and can easily access online giving.
2. Design a welcome center that wows!
We’ve all been to welcome centers that are lacking. Whether the attendant wasn’t very knowledgeable, or the entire center consisted of a folding table and a few scattered pieces of paper, people notice. Make this Easter the year that your welcome center wows!
Incorporate giving kiosks, welcome packets, fresh donuts, and coffee. Use Easter decorations to help make the area more inviting! And always make sure there is a knowledgeable and friendly face there to help new guests.
3. Create a visitor packet filled with helpful information
Many churches have a packet for visitors, but if you really want to get their attention, you need to fill it with helpful information. Here are just a few bits of information you can include:
• The church’s mission
• Past fundraising successes
• Current generosity campaigns
• Contact information
• Service days and times (including Sunday School)
• Upcoming events
• How to volunteer
• Church group meetings (and how to sign up)
Thirty-four percent of people looking for a new place of worship are doing so because they moved. Don’t hesitate to think outside the box and incorporate a list of your congregation’s favorite restaurants, a map of local parks, and includes dates on the church’s calendar for community events like the local farmer’s market.
The welcome packet should be fun to leaf through, so be sure to add images, keep it heartfelt, and make it colorful!
4. Display fresh flowers for visitors to take home
Easter is a time of renewal, and fresh flowers are a beautiful symbol of this. You can decorate the church with fresh cut flowers, and then let visitors take them home as a reminder of the church and their faith. Trust that flowers will brighten their day and enhance their experience with the church.
5. Invite newcomers to sign up for a guided tour
Not only is this an excellent way for newcomers to learn about the church, but it also creates a nice icebreaker by allowing you to spend one-on-one time with new guests. Plan the tour with talking points and fun facts so the conversation never grows stale. Create a customized form on your giving kiosk for people to sign up on Easter or for a date in the future.
For a more detailed look at successfully welcoming visitors this Easter, download your copy of the 2018 Easter Visitor Welcome Kit! You can also access our online giving features by calling 1-888-778-4843 or emailing sales@easytithe.com.
