You’ve inundated your town with prayer and printed invitations to worship at your church on Easter. The nationwide GPS (God’s Plan for Sharing) media blitz has reinforced those efforts. You have a sudden terrifying thought — “What if they all show up?!”
Need fresh ideas for getting ready?
Prepare for the masses
• Update Web site, guest packets, directional signage and first-time-guest parking spaces.
• Make the church facilities sparkle; they reflect your love for God.
• Prepare extra bulletins, chairs, ushers, greeters and decision counselors.
• Avoid acronyms in printed and spoken announcements; guests won’t have a clue what HSM means.
• Offer your best, wholehearted worship to God.
• Make a plan for guests to receive e-mails, regular mail and a personal contact within 72 hours.
The three-week challenge
• As you welcome guests, ask them to take the “three-week challenge,” committing to attend your church three times so they can get a true feel for your church and God’s guidance for their lives.
• Incorporate the three-week challenge into your regular communication card or guest registration, with a check box for first time, second time, completed three-week challenge and “I lost count.”
• Offer a three-week punch card for a free drink if you have a church coffee shop.
Connect two
Urge every church member to personally connect with two guests at church each Sunday. Provide helpful hints:
• Pray silently as you approach a guest.
• Write down the guest’s name.
• Walk with the guest to his or her destination.
• Jot your personal phone number or e-mail address on a card for the guest.
• Tell the guest what you love about your church.
• Introduce the guest to church members with similar interests.
• Invite the guest to small group Bible study.
• Leave your pew and sit near a guest in worship.
• Circle items on the bulletin that might interest the guest.
• Personally invite the guest for coffee, lunch or an upcoming church event.
• Escort the guest to meet the pastor or another staff member after worship.
If they all show up to hear about Jesus this Easter, will you be ready?
For more information about GPS, visit www.gps2020.net.
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