Local Church Resources

Six ways to make visitors feel welcome

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1. Kerb appeal

Are carparks and footpaths well-maintained? Is your church easily visible from the street? Are building materials attractive and in good condition? Is the landscaping tidy and well-cared for? Are there weeds growing in gutters or cobwebs around the building?

2. Parking

Are car parks full when visitors arrive? Do first-time guests have easy access to special parking? Is there attractive signage and graphics to clearly guide people to the front entrance?

3. Children’s spaces

How secure are the children’s spaces? Are there appropriate child protection practices in place such as sign in/sign out forms? Clean, uncluttered environments and modern, engaging themes are keys to success.

4. Worship environment

Is adequate seating available? Does your worship space feel cared for, loved and looked after? Are there features/decorative elements that have not been updated for many years? Does it look like your congregation is proud of their facility and cares for it?

5. Places to connect

Many people who are new to church look beyond the worship space for places to connect socially. Items to consider are furniture, finishes and lighting. Are these components appealing and engaging?

6. Signage

Is your church sign welcoming and appealing and does it contain current and accurate information?

Connecting with your community

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Are you wanting to connect with your community in a meaningful way, but don’t know where to start? Doing some research before you launch an activity or a program will help you to find out what is relevant to their needs. Here’s five research ideas:

1. Census – if your country conducts a census, this is a good place to start. In some countries the census data is supplied for regions and local government areas with community profiles available covering information like the age of residents, cultural diversity, income and education levels, and family characteristics. Do a comparison with previous censuses to see how your community is changing and where there may be opportunities to provide connection and support.

2. Local politicians – make an appointment to see your local Member of Parliament and/or local mayor. They will have their finger on the pulse of what the community needs. Not only will you get some useful information, you will also be building relationships and raising awareness of your church.

3. Local media – are there any local newspapers in your suburb or town? They are a great source for identifying community needs and challenges.

4. Schools and hospitals – they are often operating with limited resources and are keen for community support. Does your local school need a kids’ breakfast program or would the local hospital benefit from more volunteers?

5. Community groups – find out what community groups are already up and running. Could you partner with one of them to help make an impact in the community?

8 ideas for using your church’s electronic signage

1
Promote regular church activities, eg. kids’ club, vegetarian cooking classes, Bible seminars, food pantry
2
Advertise special events, eg. Christmas carols, Easter service
3
Promote the church’s Sabbath worship times
4
Showcase Bible verses
5
Promote the church’s Facebook page and/or website
6
Invite the community to join your worship service
7
Feature hope-filled, inspiring messages ‒ “Thought of the Week”
8
Display engaging images/videos that point people to Jesus

How SEO can benefit your church

SEO is a great tool to use to increase the visibility of your church website. By being intentional and strategic we can encourage more people to encounter and embrace our message.

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