{"id":32367,"date":"2022-09-10T16:06:49","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:06:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-effective-ways-to-convince-a-church-guest-to-return\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:06:49","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:06:49","slug":"5-effective-ways-to-convince-a-church-guest-to-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/5-effective-ways-to-convince-a-church-guest-to-return\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Effective Ways to Convince a Church Guest to Return"},"content":{"rendered":"
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rawpixel photo – Unsplash<\/div>\n

By Ryan Sanders<\/em><\/p>\n

We\u2019re all hardwired to receive love differently.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the lesson we learned in 1995 when Gary Chapman released the book that gave an \u201caha moment\u201d to all of American Christendom. Seriously, if you\u2019ve never read The 5 Love Languages<\/em>, go buy a copy. It\u2019s that important.<\/p>\n

Chapman explained that each of us speaks a native language when it comes to giving and receiving love. My language is \u201cWords of Affirmation.\u201d My wife\u2019s language is \u201cActs of Service.\u201d This explains all the times when she has likely thought, He says he loves me but why won\u2019t he show it by doing the dishes once in a while?<\/em><\/p>\n

Chapman\u2019s book has shown staying power beyond the realm of romantic love. Our church is using the same principles in how we welcome guests.<\/p>\n

Our guest services ministry is designed to communicate with visitors through the love language they \u201cspeak.\u201d After all, we want to communicate more than \u201cWe\u2019re glad you\u2019re here\u201d or \u201cWe hope you come back.\u201d<\/p>\n

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We actually want to communicate, \u201cWe love you. We love God and people made in His image. And we want to meet you with that love in the place where you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

So how do we say \u201cI love you\u201d to strangers who come to church?<\/p>\n

Words Of Affirmation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The simplest way to communicate you care for someone is simply to tell them.<\/p>\n

Our guest services volunteers greet people with verbal welcomes. We compliment them. We tell them we\u2019re glad to see them. And when they fill out a welcome card, we give them a seven-day devotional journal that\u2019s full of words meant to convey love and care.<\/p>\n

Acts Of Service<\/strong><\/h3>\n

From the moment a guest drives onto our property, they\u2019re escorted by a parade of servants eager to help. We help them find a place to park (reserved especially for guests), we help them check in their children, we help them find a seat in the worship center.<\/p>\n

We open doors, hold umbrellas, and walk with them to the classroom where our newcomer meeting is held.<\/p>\n

Physical Touch<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Everyone is offered a handshake coming to our worship services. Some of our ushers wear big pins that offer \u201cFree Hugs.\u201d And greeters at the door nearest the children\u2019s check-in station give high-fives to the little ones.<\/p>\n

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But we have to be careful\u2014this love language can be touchy (pardon the pun). Our male volunteers are instructed not to hug women they don\u2019t know. And that one overzealous greeter who insisted on greeting people with a holy kiss? He\u2019s not doing that any more (yes, that really happened).<\/p>\n

Quality Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sundays are busy and most of our contact with guests happens in short snippets, so we\u2019ve worked at building in moments of quality time where possible.<\/p>\n

We host a newcomer class twice a month. The frequency keeps it small (six to eight people) which gives us time to get to know guests more deeply, look them in the eyes, and learn a bit of their stories.<\/p>\n

Gifts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Finally, we offer every guest a free cup of coffee and a devotional written just for them.<\/p>\n

I love to see people walking out of our building on Sunday, smiling and carrying that devotional, because I know they\u2019ve just experienced love in a language their heart can understand.<\/p>\n

Your church is probably doing some of these things well. But remember: We all have one dominant love language. What if the language you\u2019re missing is your visitor\u2019s native tongue? If you skip any of the languages, you may be forfeiting that guest\u2019s return visit.<\/p>\n

Over the past 23 years, The 5 Love Languages<\/em> has strengthened thousands of marriages. It can strengthen our churches as well, if we love our guests in the right language.<\/p>\n

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RYAN SANDERS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

@theryansanders<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Ryan is a writer and previously served as a pastor. He writes for the Dallas Morning News and other outlets. You can find more at theryansanders.com.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n