by Troy Page, the Unstuck Group
One of the components of the Ministry Health Assessment that we offer at the Unstuck Group is our secret shopper experience. This is our chance to visit your church and experience the entire weekend as a first-time guest. From guest services and children’s ministry to music and message, we try to take an honest look through the lenses of a first timer who knows very little about God and church. Here are ten common first impressions mistakes that churches make:
- Not enough parking lot volunteers to show me where to park and where to go. I’ve actually gotten “stuck” in a parking lot with no way out.
- Inadequate exterior signage that identifies buildings and points me in the right direction. One church had a sign that pointed me to the right to enter the sanctuary and to the left to enter the worship center – you decide!
- Lack of guest service diversity that represent the demographic of the community or who you are trying to reach. I love my parents, but I don’t want to go to their church. I want to go to church with people at a similar stage of life.
- Confusing indoor signage that uses ministry names that I don’t understand or omits the things I’m looking to find. “Discovery Land” doesn’t mean preschool, nursery or children’s area for first-fifth graders to an outsider.
- Dated decor and unkempt facilities that communicate your church is disorganized, messy in your leadership and behind the times. Unprofessional signs, paper taped to the wall, worn out carpet and scuffed walls don’t make a great impression.
Photo Credit: Jon Matthies via Compfight cc
