Church Growth: 1st Time Experience at Plantation UMC - Club or Movement?

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• published: 26 Apr 2016
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We recently went to Plantation United Methodist Church in Plantation, FL. Here is what happened at this church. CLUB OR MOVEMENT TAKEAWAYS: 1. Pay attention to all of the signage in and around your church, from your signage out front to the signs going into the sanctuary. - Make sure that your signs are easy to read and welcoming. 2. Think about how you can become more welcoming and accepting of people who are walking through your doors. Look for opportunities to welcome first-time guests. - Make people feel welcomed before they sit down or before the service starts. - Church members can walk up to them, introduce themselves, and have a conversation with them. - Ushers can walk them to their seats, show them around, or answer any questions. - If you’re going to give a gift, give it as they’re walking in and do not have them have to go get it themselves after the service. - Design the worship service so it’s welcoming. The pastor can welcome the first-time guests at the beginning of the service. - If you’re going to have a time of welcoming, be sure the emphasis is on greeting people who you don’t know. - Follow up with first-time guests after the worship service ends. 3. Make your worship bulletin friendly and appealing to first-time guests. - Start with a welcoming message. - Avoid printing out your mission statement. 4. Encourage children and youth church members to be active participants in the worship service. 5. Use your presentation screen(s) effectively. - Design your slides to look professionally done, even without having a graphics designer. - Show the Bible verses on screen while the scripture is being read, so it’s easy for all to follow. - When flashing messages on screen, choose your words carefully. 6. The church was originally designed to be a movement. - Think about how to be more welcoming and accepting of people walking through your doors.