“Hey, Are You A First Time Guest?!”

Is anyone at your church asking attenders if they are first time guests?

If so, could I kindly encourage you to have them stop asap?

In my Assimilation Seminar, I encourage you to have a Guest Table where you offer first time guests a free gift. For example, we currently offer first-timers a free copy of the book One Month To Live by Kerry Shook, with a welcome letter from me.

The books are stacked on a table near the exit. There is no one there asking those who pick up the book if they are first time guests. We allow guests to self-identify themselves and take the books without being pointed out or questioned.

Newcomers don’t want to be identified as newcomers. Unfortunately, I’ve seen…

• Churches that have a ‘monitor’ at their book table asking: “Are you a First Time Guest?”
• Churches that have their greeters asking: “Are you a First Time Guest?”
• Ushers come through the auditorium asking: “Are you a First Time Guest?”

I’m in favor of allowing guests to identify themselves and pick up a free gift or even attend a post-service gathering (like the 10-Minute Party that many churches do). But asking someone if they are a guest is off-putting and can actually push first-timers away from your church. Here’s why:

An unchurched first time guest wants at least three things…

- To fit in with everyone else attending
- To be anonymous
- To get more information as they are ready

I’ll be posting more on all three of these starting Thursday, so check back!

For now, make a decision to allow your first time guests to attend without having to answer the awkward, off-putting question: “Hey, Are You A First Time Guest?!”

Read Part 2 by Clicking Here (To Fit In)

Read Part 3 by Clicking Here (To Get More Information)

Nelson

P.S. If you are new to my blog and you want more on How to Turn First Time Guests into Fully Engaged Members of Your Church, check out these resources on Assimilation by clicking here. And, welcome to the conversation!