Not long ago, my wife and I visited a new restaurant in our area. What a treat! From the opening appetizers to the final desserts, everything was tremendous. But while the food was delicious, that isn’t what impressed me the most.

Everywhere I looked there were smiles on faces — hostesses, servers, managers — and they were genuine. As we drove home, I couldn’t stop thinking about this atmosphere that was so friendly and welcoming. Without a doubt, we would return.

Some people are hungry, even starving, for a church that will feed them the solid food of Scripture.

Churches are not in the business of satisfying people’s palates, but we should be just as concerned about creating a welcoming atmosphere where guests come — and come again. Many churches go to great lengths to make visitors feel at home with coffee bars, cozy furniture, soothing paint schemes. However, it isn’t the flavor of the coffee that ultimately reaches guests, but the flavor of the people who make up the congregation.

What are some tangible ways you can make your church more friendly, starting this weekend?

Consider these six strategies:

1.) Be warm and welcoming.
When you see a new person or family in attendance, be grateful! God directed them to your church, so approach them with a smile and a handshake. Introduce yourself, and let them introduce themselves along with their spouse or children.

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Ask them a few questions about their life, work, or church background. When you ask good questions, you give that individual a chance to open up and relax. First impressions matter, so make yours a good one.    

2.) Help parents with children.
When guests visit your church with children in tow, a slightly different strategy is required. Don’t just greet them and walk away. Instead, help these parents locate your church’s nursery, bathrooms, or “crying room.”

If your church offers children’s classes or programs, direct them to the right rooms. Better yet, offer to walk them there. Be mindful, though — some parents might prefer to keep their children with them during a first-time visit.

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3.) Share a church bulletin or guest packet.
Years ago, it was common practice for churches to engage visitors by making them raise a hand. Some churches even made guests wear a yellow “VISITOR” ribbon. Yikes! Thankfully, most churches have made those customs extinct.

However, it is still important to share church literature with visitors. If you see a new person or family, offer them a Sunday program or guest packet. Not only does this make new people feel welcome, it gives them critical information about your church and opportunities beyond the Sunday service.

4.) Invite visitors to an upcoming event.
Outreach experts tell us that visitors will typically give a new church three to four weeks of attendance, and if they do not make any personal connections or friendships during that time, they will probably not return. The point is, personal relationships matter. So turn on your charm and invite that new individual or family to join you for lunch or an upcoming event. All people long to belong, so do your part to help new folks find points of connection and community in Jesus.

5.) Be a bridge to your minister.
On any given Sunday, the pastor is the busiest man in the building. Preaching, praying, overseeing, answering questions — these are just a few of the tasks he’s engaged in on a typical Sunday. As a result, some visitors may come and go without ever meeting the pastor in person.

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Knowing this, be the bridge to your minister. Ask that new person or family, “Have you met our pastor yet?” If they haven’t, speak an encouraging word about your minister and direct them his way, so he can make their acquaintance in person.

6.) Tell visitors what you love about your church.
Everyone knows the best recommendations come from “word of mouth.” So when you connect with a guest, tell them what you love about your church. Does your church resonate with the love of Jesus? Do you have a soul-stirring preacher who expounds the Bible faithfully? Do you belong to a fantastic small group? Then speak up. Let those visitors hear “why” you love your church, and what keeps you coming back. Your personal testimony can have a far greater impact than any visitor packet or website ever could.

Their greatest need is forgiveness of sins and a restored relationship with God.

It is impossible to overstate the importance of engaging new people who visit our churches. Every person enters with some legitimate need. Some people are hungry, even starving, for a church that will feed them the solid food of Scripture. Other people are wounded — they want a church that will hug them and address their hurts.

Still others come because they’re broken and don’t know where else to turn. They don’t even know what they need, but we do. We know their greatest need is forgiveness of sins and a restored relationship with God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8). What a privilege it is to share that good news with them!

Look around your church this weekend, and you are bound to see some new faces. Will you engage them with sincerity and love? Will you help to create the friendly atmosphere that will bring them back again? Just remember, people can get great-tasting food and flavored coffee in lots of places — but it is only in our churches that they can discover the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Ryan Day is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where he has served for 17 years. He is a regular contributor to LifeZette.