The ways we discourage people from joining us
Over the years, Cheryl and I have visited dozens of churches. Whenever we travel we try to find a church to attend. I’ve spoken at and consulted with many churches in all types and sizes. We had the opportunity in Dallas to “shop” churches. It was my first time to ever seek out a church. Honestly, it wasn’t a wonderful experience.
So, from very personal experience, here are ways we make people feel unwelcome at our church.... Read More
"2. Don’t Act Like You’re Happy to See People." In the church where I used to preach and lead services, the regular attendees' reaction to a visitor who were rare was to stare surreptitiously at the visitor and to whisper to each other. Finally someone would greet the visitor and welcome them to the church. They were unaccustomed to visitors and did not know what they should do. Visitors rarely came back. At one church I was studiously ignored; at another one church members conveyed by their body language that they wished that I would go away. I have had church members draw back from me at the passing of the peace and greet only the people that they knew. Churches need to train their regular attendees on how to be welcoming to guests. Among the reasons that the church I helped to launch in the 1980s grew was it had a genuinely warm, friendly congregation. Its members were glad to see visitors and went out of their way to greet them, introduce them to other attendees, and make them feel at home. It gained a reputation for its warmth and friendliness.
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