ExpandingMinistries.org

Every leader wants to see their organization grow dramatically but we tend to forget that it only happens one brick at a time or one piece at a time. If we are going to make a greater impact we must begin looking at the needs of our visitors and members. The word consumer can be offensive when used in relationship to the local church. Regardless of your beliefs in this matter we are all consumers in one way or another.

 Every person in our nation expects food to be warm, drinks to be cold, and service to be swift. We expect the check to reflect the value of our meal and our overall dining experience. Our expectations does not stop with the food we eat but continues with every product we pay for from the doctors office to the places we shop for groceries.

 People expect to be wowed even at church. I remember reading about a hotel that studied the likes of their guest. The guest service department would have the top three reading resources for each guest and when a guest went to eat dinner they would set a fire, pour their favorite drink, and have their favorite desert waiting on them. Just imagine a church that meets the needs of their guest so that they could not only be prepared to hear the Word of God their hearts would be right to receive Jesus. 

 Our goal is to do things in excellence and to help our visitors see Jesus clearly. Our goal should be to offer the best service and best facilities that we can so that our guest can see and experience Christ. You may think that this is trivial but if the ac is too loud, floors are dirty, cieling needs work etc many will not return. Many people have decided if they are going to return again even before they are seated. Our job is to make sure we offer the best service that we can and that means taking care of the small things. The question is how do we take a church from adequote to wow? We start with the following questions:

What do guest want when they visit? 

What areas do we need to improve on and what changes do we need to make?

What changes can we make immediately?

What changes need to take time?

Creating an atmosphere where people flourish is what first impressions are all about. Matthew 11:28-30 is the perfect example of what we should aim for. Its an invitation that Jesus gave which is to have a grace filled community. A grace filled community takes time to build because your leaders and members must be taught one serving and placing others first. Many of the churches that I have visited over the years have not been freindly, seem to be selfish, and at times seem to miss out on reflecting the love of Christ. Please understand that I am still working on this area and it will be on going.

CHALLENGE:

When you go out this week have your guest share with you the following:

How was your experience?

What dissapointed you?

Did the staff do their best with what they had?

What would have created your wow experience?

Make a list of your encounters that made you feel valued and wowed. How could these things be implemented in your church?

Over the next few weeks develop a plan from the things that you and your leaders discovered. Make a plan that will help you implement the wow experiences that you decide on. I believe that you will see a great change in the atmosphere and growth of your church. May God bless you greatly!

Jamie Sullivan has over 8 years experience in hotel guest service and has over 15 years designing and implementing plans that help churches flourish through wowing their guest and members. If you want to walk through this process with your church please contact him at 706-631-2525.