How to Make Your Church More Welcoming for Easter Guests
I live in a cold-weather climate, so an annual winter visit to Florida to see family is a welcome escape from the harsh winter. This year, I surprised my daughter with a day trip to Hollywood Studios as part of her high school graduation gift. We are not what you would consider "Disney people." We’ve never done many theme park vacations, so I am a bit of a novice when it comes to planning this type of excursion.
Although we only went to the park for a single day, the planning was a little daunting. I wanted to make the most of our time there and be sure to hit all the main attractions, but I found the Disney website and planning process to be complex. Before purchasing my tickets, I called my sister, a Disney Vacation Club member, to enlist her expertise.
What is a FastPass, and which type should I choose?
How do I guarantee that we get on the rides we want?
What’s a MagicBand, and is it required?
As she answered my questions, I realized that frequent Disney vacationers know all the tips and tricks to make the experience enjoyable. They know the best days to go, where to start their day, and they understand the Disney lingo. All of this made me realize that I am a Disney outsider. The process of planning just a single day at Disney was intimidating, and it made me want to call the whole thing off.
This experience got me thinking about how overwhelming it can be for new people walking into our church buildings for the first time. With Easter right around the corner, many church teams are preparing for an increase in first-time guests. While some may have attended a church before, for many, it may be their first time. This is a great season to reassess how “outsider-friendly” your church is!
Before Easter
Update your service times online. Many churches add additional service times on Easter weekend or adjust their regular schedule. Don’t forget to update your website and social media accounts to reflect these changes! (It’s shocking how often this gets overlooked.) Be sure to include specific details, such as whether kids’ ministry will be available during all services or only at select times.
Answer questions before they’re asked. Every church has its own culture regarding dress, worship style, communion, etc. Both churched and unchurched visitors may wonder what to expect. If your church doesn’t have a “FAQ” or “What to Expect” page on its website, consider adding one or posting this information on social media before Easter. Useful details include service times, attire, kids’ ministry options, and parking information.
Clean and declutter. Before Easter weekend, take a walkthrough of the building to declutter. Like our homes, church buildings accumulate “stuff” over time. After a while, it blends into the background, but to visitors, it may standout. Viewing the facility through a visitor’s eyes is an easy and cost-effective way to improve the church atmosphere.
Think about parking. Redesigning your parking lot may be costly, but there are simple ways to improve the experience for visitors. Ask staff and volunteers to park in the farthest spots, freeing up spaces for guests. Use traffic cones to temporarily redirect cars for better traffic flow. If you have outdoor signs, consider using them to ask first-time guests to turn on their hazard lights so parking attendants can direct them to priority parking.
Provide clear signage. You don’t need a big budget to improve way-finding signage. If all you have is a printer and laminating paper, you can create effective directional signs. Don’t assume that people know where the auditorium, kids’ classrooms, or bathrooms are. Simple signs can help visitors feel more at ease and alleviate first-time jitters.
Easter Sunday
Be on the lookout. Most churches have greeters or ushers to assist guests. Remind them to be proactive in helping people. First-time visitors often step into the building and immediately look up—literally searching for a sign! Train greeters and ushers with simple phrases to engage newcomers, such as, “Hi there! Can I help you find something?” This small gesture can make a big difference in making people feel welcome.
Watch your language. Nothing says, “You don’t belong here” like insider jargon. If your church has unique terminology, be intentional about explaining it. For example, if you call your volunteers the “Dream Team,” be sure to define the term when it’s mentioned. When referencing staff members, clarify their roles: “I was meeting with Mike, our student pastor, this week…” Additionally, be mindful that some attendees may be completely unchurched. Words like tithe, atonement, Eucharist, deacons, or Pentecost may be unfamiliar. Taking the time to define these terms is a small but meaningful way to help newcomers feel included and take steps toward understanding faith.
Don’t make it weird. As an introvert, I always feel nervous attending a church for the first time. My worst fear is being identified as a newcomer and asked to stand to introduce myself during the service. It’s happened to me a few times, and honestly, it was the most unwelcoming experience. (Needless to say, I never returned to those churches.) Try to empathize with first-time guests. The goal is to be welcoming without being overbearing—inviting without making it awkward.
Provide clear next steps. Make it easy for people to know how they can get involved. No one should leave your church service unsure of how to connect further. Provide simple next steps, such as filling out a connect card, visiting an info table, or attending a newcomer’s event. Clarity in communication helps people feel comfortable taking their next step in faith and community.
By taking these small but intentional steps, your church can create a welcoming atmosphere for first-time guests this Easter. Just as Disney insiders know how to navigate the parks effortlessly, long-time church members may take their knowledge for granted. Making your church more accessible and inviting will ensure that new visitors feel at home from the moment they walk through the doors.
Alicia Osgood
Support & Implementation Specialist, Threefold Solutions
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