Photo of full choir and orchestra at a performance called 90 Miles

According to church researchers, people are more willing to attend a religious service during Christmas and Easter. You may be noticing a higher attendance rate during this season, as seekers give church a chance during the Christmas season.

During this holiday season, my family and I have been visiting local church “Christmas programs” in the community. Most of these churches have been advertising heavily on the radio, newspaer, and with large oversized banners on their front lawn. As I have been visiting churches, I have making some observations on connecting with visitors. Here are a few things I have learned:

Who is answering the phone at your church? After receiving an email confirmation to print tickets for the special Christmas program, I encountered a technical glitch. I called the church office requesting help since I couldn’t print my tickets. After several attempts, I left a detailed message asking for help, and for a return phone call. About three days later, 48 hours after the Christmas program, the church secretary returned my call with a message. Make sure you develop a plan where visitors can reach the church prior to your special services. You can redirect the church phone number to a volunteer’s phone or include a specific email address on the church answering machine for special requests.

Visitors are looking for a personal connection. If your weekend service looks anything like mine, you are most likely putting out last minute fires, reviewing your homily, or feeling super stressed with ministry leaders who are not prepared. Intentionally plan to carve out 20 minutes before the service to walk around the sanctuary welcoming and meeting visitors. My family and I arrived to a special Christmas program about thirty minutes prior to the start of the service. The orchestra was still rehearsing, and there were only 20 people sitting in the sanctuary when we arrived. During the course of the evening, not one person approached us to say hello. A note of caution: Don’t rely on your church greeters to take the lead in ministering to visitors. You should consider asking trusted members in your congregation who relate well with the unchurched to make it their ministry to connect with the visitors. I have found from past experience, most visitors come to church on time, or early. They are usually sitting in the pews, feeling insecure, or waiting for a friend who may have invited them. Introduce yourself as the Pastor, sit down for a few minutes, instead of standing over them, and talk to them at eye level.

at a local baptist church

Predetermine your “Jesus language.”  Last week, while I was attending another community Christmas service, the Pastor referred to Jesus, in the following ways: Christ, God, Savior, Messiah, Son of God, Jesus. Remember, most unchurched people don’t know all of the names of God. It can be very confusing to hear all of these references to a holy deity. When you are preparing your sermon or homily, select one good name for Jesus, and stick with it.

Ask your visitors to return next week.  Most churches do a good job welcoming a visitor. However, it is important to make the “ask.” I would urge you to go one step further: Personally invite the visitor to come back next week. Give them a specific time period to return. By expecting them to return, they will know their presence was valued.