Articles for tag: Visitor Experience

October 28, 2012

By Melissa Brandes Too late we realized our failure. Communion was being served, and we hadn”t adequately prepped our unchurched, international guests. The Communion plate came around, and our guests stared at the two circles of unleavened bread. Bewildered, but trying to honor us the best they could, they picked up the circles and took a big bite, as if they were eating a sandwich. My mother and I and those in the pew behind us looked on in shock. Our guests, aware that something was wrong but not sure what, looked around, uncomfortable and embarrassed. We motioned for them

February 7, 2012

Christian Standard

Communion & Lord's Supper Theology & Bible

The Lodge and the Lord”s Supper

By Mark A. Taylor I”m not sure now why I attended the monthly meeting of the local lodge. I had been invited by someone, maybe to pray or see him installed into some office. I don”t recall who he was or any specifics about the evening. I only remember my reaction to being there. The whole service was meaningless to me, in spite of the sober demeanor of the lodge members who participated in it. They somberly went through the motions, careful to complete the program “decently and in order.” But none of it communicated anything to me. Many of

October 21, 2007

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Growth

Be Our Guest: 10 Tips for Visitor-Friendly Buildings

By Jennifer Taylor Churches spend millions of dollars designing buildings and paving parking lots to make room for visitors. While bricks and mortar provide space for new people, leadership teams often don”t realize the impact of spending just a few more dollars to make those areas guest-friendly. PlainJoe Studios, based in Corona, California, works with churches to incorporate environmental design into every phase of a project. From huge new buildings to modest renovations, simple strategies help every church open the door to visitors. 1. Think like a visitor Although considering a newcomer”s experience seems obvious, it”s also deceptively difficult. Building

October 21, 2007

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Growth

What”s at Your Front Door?

By Robert Kitchen Our local newspaper ran an article headlined “Home Decor Starts at the Front Door.” It said an entryway is the visual introduction to a house, and that it sets the stage for all that may follow. Consider the front door of your church. It should be clean, neat, and in good repair. But it doesn”t stop there. The helpfulness and demeanor of the people who are at the door are what”s most important. Many churches recognize the importance of their entryways; unfortunately some do not recognize them as opportunities. A church”s music may be tremendous, the sermon