Are you prepared to welcome back Easter guests after Easter Sunday? You’ll likely have a good number of visitors on Easter weekend, including some “CEOs” (Christmas and Easter Only attendees).
The big question: How can we get them to return and become regular attendees?
What’s the Main Factor?
Many churches focus on follow-up strategies like:
- Special events
- Phone calls
- Welcome letters
- Personal visits
While these approaches have value, they’re not the primary factor that draws families back to your ministry.
The number one thing that will bring your Easter guests back is FRIENDLINESS.
How to Teach Your Team Friendliness
Four Essential Tips for Welcoming Guests
1. Give 100% of your focus to people when they’re in front of you
Have you ever walked into a store where the employee was on the phone, talking to someone else, or doing paperwork without acknowledging you? It makes you feel devalued and like you’re “bothering” them, often leaving a bad impression that prevents return visits.
Train your team to be completely focused on people. If they’re helping someone and another family approaches, acknowledge the newcomers immediately:
“Hi! How are you today? So glad you’re here. I’ll be right with you.”
2. Make sure everyone is smiling
Scowls, frowns, or an “I don’t really care” expression will discourage people from returning. Teach your team that voice inflection communicates value—how you say something matters as much as what you say. It can translate to either “You’re bothering me” or “I care about you.”
3. Always walk with guests—never just point
Don’t simply tell guests where to go; take them there. Use this opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation along the way.
4. Answer questions thoroughly
Remember that there are no dumb questions. Never say “I don’t know” and leave a family hanging. Instead, respond with: “I’m not sure, but let me find out for you.”
Training Your Team: A Week-by-Week Preparation Plan
3 weeks before Easter: Hold initial team meeting to discuss these principles
2 weeks before: Conduct role-playing exercises with common guest scenarios
1 week before: Do a final walkthrough of your facility from a guest’s perspective
Day of: Brief 10-minute team huddle before services begin
Specific Scenarios and Scripts
Common Guest Situations and How to Handle Them:
When a family looks lost: “Good morning! I’m [Name]. I don’t think we’ve met before—are you visiting with us today? I’d love to help you find where you need to go.”
When parents ask about children’s programs: “We have amazing programs for kids! Let me walk you there and introduce you to our children’s director.”
When someone asks about service times or basic info: “Great question! We have [times], and here’s a welcome packet with all our info. Is this your first visit with us?”
Beyond Easter Sunday
The Critical 48-Hour Window:
- Send a personal (not automated) thank-you text within 24 hours
- Follow up with a phone call from a staff member (not a volunteer) within 48 hours
- Mail a handwritten note within one week
Measuring Success
Track These Metrics:
- Number of first-time visitors
- Return rate within 30 days
- Which greeters/volunteers had the highest guest satisfaction
- Common feedback themes from guest surveys
Red Flags to Avoid
- Overwhelming guests with too much information
- Making assumptions about their church background
- Rushing them through the welcome process
- Forgetting their names during the same visit
- Asking probing questions about why they’re visiting
Creating a Guest-Friendly Environment
Physical Space Considerations:
- Clear, visible signage from the parking lot to main entrance
- Designated guest parking spots close to entrances
- Welcome desk positioned where guests naturally enter
- Clean, well-lit restrooms with clear directions
The Bottom Line
A lack of courtesy, friendliness, and sincere engagement will destroy your chances of guests returning. It doesn’t matter how many follow-up calls you make, letters you send, or emails you write—if visitors aren’t treated with courtesy and kindness on their first visit, the likelihood of them coming back is virtually zero.
Taking Action
I’ll be reinforcing these principles with our team before Easter. They already do great work, but I must continue emphasizing these core values.
I encourage you to have this conversation with your team as well. Do so, and you’ll see more Easter guests return.
