An Emerging Spirit Welcoming Assessment of Sunday Morning
An Emerging Spirit Welcoming Assessment of Sunday Morning
Step 1 - Visibility
We have a microsite on WonderCafe.ca
yes no
Our website is attractive and listed with a variety of search engines and contains the church address, a telephone number, email address and map (or link to a map provider)
yes no
Our phone message is warm and inviting and contains a brief and specific glimpse into the life and activity of our congregation.
yes no
e.g. Thank you for calling No Saints United Church, a congregation devoted to helping people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations know and experience that they are loved and accepted by God. Our Sunday morning includes worship at 10:30 am and a children's program that includes learning activities that are fun and engaging for those between the ages of 3 and 18. We expect that most children new to the congregation will take six weeks until they feel at home.
Most people in the congregation dress casually for worship and begin arriving 10-15 minutes before the worship service.
For more information please call xxx -xxxx between the hours of 9 am and 1:30 pm or consult our website at www.nosaintsunitedchurch.ca.
Thank you for calling.
Worship times are provided on the church answering service, the front sign and the website.
yes no
The church is visible and identifiable as a church from the street.
yes no
Step 2 - the Initial Impression
Parking is clearly marked with areas close to the main point of entry reserved and marked for visitors.
yes no
The main point of entry, the door, is open and clearly visible from the visitor parking spaces.
yes no
The church appears inviting from the outside with attractive grounds i.e. a good curbside appearance.
If the church building has more than one door, the main point of entry is clearly marked
An intergenerational team of greeters welcomes guests.
The greeters are friendly without being overpowering and provide a focused and sincere greeting (i.e. they are present to the guest and not chatting among themselves)
The greeting team is regularly trained and its members renewed.
If there is a bulletin, the section outlining the Order of Worship is highlighted and contains clear directions concerning congregational participation, times to stand or kneel, etc.
There are enough bulletins for every person.
There are clear directional signs throughout the inside of the building - washrooms, elevator, kitchen, WonderCafe coffee area, classrooms, lounges, etc.
The washrooms are clean and as presentable as the women's washrooms at the area's most popular mall.
Light, temperature and sound levels are comfortable.
Step 3 - Finding a Place
Greeters gently inquire about the guest, discovering if there are natural points or contact with other members of the congregation, i.e. We have a number of teachers in the congregation. If you would like I would be happy to introduce you to some.
If children are guests they are introduced to the adults with whom they might have contact or interaction during the morning.
Children are given some indication of what they might expect during their time "at church."
Guests are shown or escorted to the sanctuary where they can find a comfortable space.
It is clear how one is expected to participate in each part of the service, such as when to stand, when to join in responsive readings, when to sing, what is expected (or parents and children) if the children are "invited" to the front, etc.
People seated near to the guests acknowledge their presence and engage in conversation as desired.
Step 4 - Making Connection
Following worship those seated near the guests invite them to join in a time of fellowshipping, sharing juice, snacks or WonderCafe coffee.
If guests are able to "stay" they are accompanied to the refreshment area.
Guests are introduced to others in the congregation who may share a similar background or life circumstance.
There is sufficient information available about the church and how to connect with its ministries to take home if desired.