Creating "The Welcome Experience"

Creating "The Welcome Experience" for Church Visitors

1.  PARKING
      Visitor enters driveways to church where a sign directs them to turn on their hazard lights. A parking lot greeter directs them to VIP reserved parking reserved for guests - steps from the entrance into the church facility. Parking lot greeter walks guests into building and escorts them to the Welcome kiosk and then inside the sanctuary where they are handed-over into the care of an usher.

2. VIP WELCOME
     As the visitor parks, a greeter comes to car and welcomes guest(s). Each visitor is handed a brochure that includes:
(A) a short note from Apostle and Pastor Marty.
(B) where to go for first-time visitors Welcome kiosk (greeters welcome them like family and hand them a small memorabilia from church).
(C) an information card and a pen
(C) ways to connect to our church
(D) information for families with children
(E) invitation to join our Visitors Reception immediately following Sunday worship (Hospitality/Kindness Minister to welcome them to our church And present them with a gift - eg., a CD of a sermon by Apostle, worship music by our choir, etc.).

3. INCENTIVE TO GET CONTACT INFO
While in the parking lot, visitors are handed the information card and told that if they fill out the card and return it to the Welcome kiosk, a $1 donation to one of our local charities would be made on their behalf.

4. WARM GREETINGS ALL AROUND
     As visitors walk in, their VIP alerts Hospitality and Usher Teams to greet them graciously and enthusiastically. parking lot greeter escorts visitor into building, then to the Welcome kiosk, on into the sanctuary where they are handed-over to the usher who will seat them and make sure they are comfortable.

5. GREAT WELCOME FROM THE PULPIT
     A No Pressure acknowledgment of visitors from the pulpit by Pastor Marty is given to all VIPS of the day. A reiteration of how visitors can connect to the membership and church ministries (for help or service), and lastly where to go for the VIP WELCOME RECEPTION immediately following service.

6. GREAT WELCOME FROM THE POWER ROOM
     While in the Power Room, visitors are graciously thanked for attending our church and given an incentive to stay connected to the church fellowship and ministries (eg., a CD of a sermon by Apostle or songs of worship by the church choir).

7. THE VIP WELCOME RECEPTION
     From the pulpit at the closing of the service, visitors are asked to follow a Hospitality/Kindness worker to the VIP Welcome Reception. Escorting the visitors into the room, they are greeted as family, offered light refreshments and seated with Hospitality/Kindness/Life Than worker who tells them more about our ministries and how the visitor can connect to our church. Visitors are reminded to submit the information card for a donation made on their behalf.

8. MAKING THEM STICK - Visitor Care
     (a) Telephone Call "Thank You" Message
      A real-life telephone call within 24 to 48 hours is given to the visitor thanking for sharing in our worship service and an invitation to join us the coming Sunday. If visitor is from our of town/area, special acknowledgment is given and an invitation to join us when in the area again.

    (b) A Helpful Email
     The following day, send email with the subject line "Thanks for joining us!! But wait there's more!" The email is graphically designed and included is a video message from Apostle giving information about the ministry services and life team groups they can connect with. The email to include links for information about Life Teams, Men's & Women's Homes, Children's Ministry. Also, a survey to get feedback from the visitors Welcome Experience is included with a link to spread the word to invite their friends through Facebook, Twitter, etc. Lastly, visitor is invited to make an appointment for any personal ministry they might need.

     (c) A Handwritten Postcard
      If no email is provided on the information card, the day after mail a handwritten postcard, thanking the visitor for attending, inviting them to come again, letting them know that the ministry is praying for them and inviting them to make appointment for any personal ministry needed.

Becoming a V.E.L.C.R.O. Church

Apostle's Vision
To impress upon visitors/guests and current members the Love of God through first contact by the expressions of welcoming, warm, attentive, and engaging face-to-face ministry of Hospitality and Ushers Teams.

Hospitality - indoors and outside of church facility (9:15 - 9:45 AM / 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM / 1:45 PM - 2:15 PM)
Ushers - entrance of and stations within sanctuary (11:15 AM - 11:45 AM / 1:45 PM - 2:15 PM)

Standards of Ministry Service
* Professional
* Alert to the needs of church attendees (new & existing)
* Responsive member/guest care service
* Attentive & Genuinely Courteous
* Warm & Engaging welcome
* Well-dressed (uniforms & name tags)

Presenting Issue/Concern
1. Back door of church (leaving/attrition rate) is open as wide as the Front door of church (coming/retention rate) causing a plateau or diminishing of membership.
2. VELCRO vs TEFLON Church: Too many members are leaving the church, and first-time visitors are not returning in numbers.

Objective
To become the V.E.L.C.R.O. church producing a healthy Body and increasing member growth and retention through Hospitality and Ushers Ministry with intentional, simply planned execution.

The Plan / Goals
1. Show VALUE to every person as a gift from the Lord
2. ENGAGE guests with intention
3. Show LOVE to every person bringing them closer to Christ
4. CONNECT church attendees to God and to the church
5. RECOGNIZE the must have activities and relationships to connect branches to the church
6. ORGANIZE teams for ongoing member care and ministry.

Benchmark/Desired Outcomes
1. Increase number of first-time visitors into second-time visitors by 10%.
2. Increase number of occasional visitors into regular attendees and/members by 20%.
3. Retain 95% of current membership (membership roll as of January 2016).