When Was the Last Time You Were a Guest at a Church?
Do you remember the uncertainty of not knowing where to park, how to dress, or where to go once you arrive? For many, visiting a church for the first time can feel like stepping onto a car dealership lot. Many guests walk in anxious that eager members will swarm, pressuring them to make a decision, when all they want is to experience a service firsthand. If it’s been a while since you experienced this, I encourage you to take a Sunday to visit a church that doesn’t recognize you and reflect on what it feels like to be a guest.
I’m not a fan of the term “church shopping,” but let’s be honest: that’s what visitors are doing. They’re evaluating your church like other life decisions—by considering the services offered, the environment, and how they feel. Doctrinal statements and ministry offerings are simply table stakes. Your guest has evaluated these based on your website prior to visiting. The decision to become a returning guest rests on two primary factors: did you deliver on what your website promised and how did they feel about their experience?
This is why it’s important to consider two key aspects of welcoming first-time guests: our motivation for receiving them and our processes for engaging them with our mission. This post begins a three-part series on building a first-time guest strategy focusing on:
- Our motivations when receiving guests.
- How we craft the Sunday experience.
- Developing Intentional follow-up that leads to meaningful connections.
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why do I want guests to visit our church?”
Let’s talk about motivation before diving into the logistics of follow-up strategies. Nelson Searcy, coauthor of Fusion, reminds us,
“Not one person who comes through your doors comes haphazardly. By sending a guest to you, God is giving you the privilege of cooperating with Him to move someone forward in his or her journey toward Jesus.”
Have we, with the best intentions, become selfish hosts? We want guests to attend our events, join our church, sign up for a small group, or contribute financially. Yes, these things help us mature in our faith — but how often do we pause to genuinely ask who they are, why they’re here, and what they need from God at this moment?
The danger we face is assuming our programming will benefit this person without asking what God is doing in their life. I know this is a touchy subject. We design our ministry opportunities with the utmost care and sincere desire to lead people to mature in their faith. I am not discounting the quality of this work. At the same time, I am also being honest in saying that it’s easy to focus on our processes that we lose sight of why God brought them to us in the first place.
We need to approach guests with a mindset of curiosity that communicates individualized care for how God is working in their lives.
Three Principles for Engaging First-Time Guests
Approach with Genuine Curiosity
One of my favorite questions is, “What brought you to church today?” While some might respond with humor, “My car brought me here”, most people offer meaningful answers: “We’re struggling in life and need direction,” “We just experienced a painful loss,” or “I’ve never been to church before.”
When someone shares their story, it’s a valuable gift. They are inviting you in and providing a glimpse into their life. This simple act can transform the entire experience by conveying individualized care. My goal is always for the guest to speak more than I do. Most people have already visited your website and are familiar with the ministries you offer. Generally, the main purpose of a guest’s visit is not to gather information but to determine if this is a place that will genuinely care for them. Yes, we show them where the restrooms are and give some information on our basic ministries, but the focus is simply on why God has led them to visit and how we can aid them in this journey. (More on this in Part 2 of our series)
Be of Service
When meeting a guest, my goal is simply to serve them, not to gain a lifelong membership. People can sense when we’re looking for something from them instead of offering something for them. If someone shares why they’ve visited, we can gently respond with resources, personal connections, or simply a listening ear and prayer. This service-oriented approach shifts the focus from what the church gains to how the church gives. Here are a few ways we can serve them:
- Take time to listen; don’t rush the conversation to get to the next person.
- Introduce them to a pastor or member who can relate to their needs.
- Offer to follow up with information related to their needs or questions.
- Give them space. For some, space to hear from God and to feel out the church is what they need before they are ready to engage in further conversation.
Help Guests Connect with Others
In a digital age, people don’t attend church to find content—they can get that online. They’re looking for community, for faith that’s lived out among real people in their neighborhood. Guests want to see how others like them live as Christians. With this in mind, prioritize connecting them with your church community. It could be introducing them to friends, inviting them to a specific small group, a restoration ministry, or even light volunteer roles. The goal isn’t to recruit them but to use these events to help them build meaningful relationships.
Relationships Are the Key to Retention
While preaching and worship styles still matter, more people choose churches based on relationships. This requires intentional patience—being strategic about follow-ups while giving people space to discern if this is where God is leading them. Intentional patience means having systems to connect with guests without being pushy. It communicates care and helps people feel valued. This balance of strategy and patience sets the foundation for long-term connection and spiritual growth.
In part two, we’ll focus on the practical side of welcoming guests, and part three will detail follow-up processes that foster connection without feeling like a sales pitch. For now, let’s reflect on our motivations: are we approaching guests with genuine curiosity, seeking to serve them, and helping them connect with others? God has led these individuals to your church; seek to learn why.
Looking for guidance on building or improving your guest process?
Schedule a call, and let’s see how Church Logistics serves your church.
