That's what you said.
For the past few weeks my readers have been stating their opinion regarding this poll question:
In your opinion, how important are the ministries that happen before and after your weekend church service (first impressions, guest services, greeters, etc) compared to the weekend service itself?
- Nearly 70% (68.6) of you believe that first impressions / guest services are just as important as the weekend service itself.
- Almost 24% (23.5) of you contend that how we treat our guests in our churches is more important than the church service.
- The remaining 6% were evenly split between "not quite as important as the service" and "what? I don't understand the question"
Nearly 94% of us believe that what we communicate before the church service ever begins is as important or more than what happens inside the church service. Surprised? Keep this in mind:
- If your guests are turned off before the pastor speaks, they'll not likely hear him when he does.
- If your guests don't know they matter from those who consider themselves the church, they'll have a tough time believing it when the pastor says, "you matter to God".
- If your guests are distracted from the message within your service because...
- they couldn't find a place to park
- they were frustrated with the ill-equipped or dirty restroom
- they were concerned about the lack of care in the children's area
- they felt ignored
- they felt smothered
...then they missed the message of Jesus.
First impressions really matter, because people matter ... to Jesus.
