Why Churches Really Aren’t Friendly to Guests

Podcast Episode #265

Its rare to find a church who doesn’t think they are friendly. But don’t be fooled, not all churches are friendly. They just think they are.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

Many churches are not friendly because the people are in holy huddles.
You have to have an eye for those you do not know in the church if you want to be genuinely friendly.
I know they’re probably out there, but I’ve yet to meet a church guest who likes the stand-and-greet time.
The stand-and-greet time can (and often does) become a substitute for genuine friendliness.
Are your announcements in code or could someone unfamiliar with your church understand them?
After the pastor, the first staff member I would hire is probably a children’s minister.
If your church wants to reach young families, you have to be reaching and ministering to their kids.
Guest friendliness is an overflow of who you are the rest of the week.

The six reasons why churches really aren’t friendly to guests are:

The holy huddle syndrome.
The stand-and-greet satisfier.
The I-don’t-live-here reality.
The insider language mystery.
The unhappy kid/unhappy parent problem.
The 6 + 1 dilemma.

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