Local visitors represent local opportunities for the local church. The local church has an open opportunity for both advocacy and follow-up through its visitors. Churches are limited in resources, but these same churches can use their internal resources to optimize their capacity.
The local church entertains visitors from Sunday to Sunday, depending on the evangelism and preaching done by parishioners in their local community. The church is called to go and prepare disciples, accepting the parting words of the resurrected Jesus Christ. It is often referred to as the Great Commission.
Visitors come from all sorts of places.
The church must pay close attention to how it welcomes its visitors, offering an environment overflowing with the love of Christ. The environment can make visitors feel at home or ready to knock on the door as soon as possible. The clergy and laity of the congregation may never understand what alienated some people from their church.
Some are familiar with church liturgy and protocol of conduct based on Christian experience. In contrast, others will come in with no idea what to expect from Planetshakers Melbourne church worship other than what others may have shared.
In a recent friendly search among Christian churches, this has been summed up as how a church can attract and surprise its visitors with the bells and whistles of its services and programs. Once visitors arrive at a church, they allow clergy and parishioners to win their favor. Unfortunately, the wow effect of a two-hour worship service can be short-lived once the blessing has been given from the pulpit.
While visitors are in church and worship, the local church should make arrangements for visitors to provide immediate feedback. Some local churches include visitor entry cards when entering the church at the visitor’s station, usually located in the church building’s foyer, foyer, or foyer. Others use a guest book to allow visitors to log in and leave their information. Some progressive and forward-thinking churches even offer visitor registration at electronic kiosks.
In addition, the local church may also interview visitors after the service. It can be done with a short yes/no survey or a rating system. Questions should be short and to the point, limiting each to one direct question. Leave space for comments. They should be collected in offering baskets or plates at the end of the service, as the worship leader or pastor encourages attendees to fill out answer cards or questionnaires before leaving the church.
Summary
Making contact is a noble cause, but keeping in touch is an ongoing effort that has the potential to expand and improve the local church. Local visitors provide the church with local opportunities. By applying some of the suggested methods, the local church can benefit from its efforts to attract local visitors.