18 Ways to Being Guest Friendly Invite: be specific in inviting.  A sign that says: “Everyone’s Welcome” means little because few people believe it is really true. Invite to specific event, talk about who you welcome and to what. Visibility: can you easily see the church or is it clear how to locate the church.  Going 40 miles per hour down the street does a drive have time to make the turn needed? Do bushes need to be trimmed or removed, driveways widened, signs put up down the street? Signs: have plenty of directional signs on the property both inside and outside…especially for things like bathrooms, nursery, sanctuary, children’s classrooms. One-Sheets: have information sheets that talk about various facets of the church and that help bring outsiders into the loop (e.g. outreach, education efforts, children’s program, beliefs). Clean: make sure that the facilities and property is clean, especially the restrooms, the nursery, and the children’s areas. Also watch for leaf, limbs or dirt built up around the facility and parking. Space: keep the area free of junk and use space appropriately for age groups.  Watch for the matching of the amount of area and the number of people using it. Words used: chose words that are not insider words.  Pay attention to words in our culture and how you can utilize them. Greeters Inside:  selected people who have the gift of hospitality and train them to watch for guest.  Greeters Outside: have people in the parking lot to help direct cars and people and to welcome them. Be like them: show guests that there are people ‘like them’ here.  Have kids greet or young parents as well as senior adults and youth. Have pictures up of the different groups.  Have information on various programs.  Make it obvious all the groups that you minister to or else you send a message that they don’t belong. Kid Friendly: look for ways to make the areas inviting and safe for children.  Especially be creative with colors and furnishings in the areas specifically for kids. Anticipate Needs: look for ways to make the experience great for guests and members.  Don’t just allow them in, but prepare for them to come (e.g. put nail files & small lotion bottles in bathrooms, children’s crafts for worship). Don’t Embarrass: don’t highlight guest, ask people to read or speak in public impromptu or expect them to remember names. Parking: provide and clearly identify convenient parking close to the building areas where they need to be going. Accessibility: provide ramps from parking and access into restrooms. Hearing: work to make the ability to hear what is being said, sung or played the best it can be. Open Doors: have doors unlocked so that guests don’t have to search for how to get in or out or hit the one locked door of the two side by side doors.  It is amazing how often I have pulled on a locked door trying to get into a church building. Truly Care for them:  be interested in those who come, not for what they can do for you but because they are important to Christ.  Focus on meeting their needs and not your own (e.g. survival, comfort). Wallace SC&W www.steve@wallacereources.us                                                                                                                                                11/19/07