1. First impressions are formed well before a visitor even sets foot in your church – it starts from finding information (online, in the telephone directory or via the sign out the front) to arriving in the car park and finally walking in the entrance.

2. Welcoming is not about growing your church. Visitors, guests and newcomers all deserve special attention – even if you never see them again.* 

3. Every member of the congregation has a responsibility to engage with visitors and create a welcoming church – it’s not just for the welcoming team!

4. Visitors like to be acknowledged, greeted, noticed - but not smothered.

5. Many of the things we do that we may think are ‘welcoming’ actually turn newcomers off.

To return to the welcoming church audit article, click here.