The team at Pivvot enjoys playing the role of "secret worshipper" when we take a church through our visioning process called for Vision Design. We call it a guest perspective evaluation. As I prepare to debrief a church again soon, I want to share some general insights on welcoming ministry and hospitality for guests.
Here are the top ten mistakes I see when volunteers are helping me as a first time guest.
#1 Volunteers have not thought in advance about my next step as a guest so they don't know how to guide the conversation with me.
#2 Volunteers are talking with friends and don't notice me.
#3 Volunteers are doing task work and are not available or responsive the moment I show up.
#4 Volunteers generally hesitate when I initiate with a question.
#5 Volunteers don't know where the most pertinent information is located.
#6 Volunteers tell me what to do with no information or tools or other people to help me.
#7 Volunteers generally look preoccupied, distracted, or unsure of themselves in their non-verbals even when being friendly.
#8 Volunteers are unaware of the basic "how to" questions for checking-in children of every age.
#9 Volunteers don't introduce me to others at the church.
#10 Volunteers gave me written information that is not important, pertinent, or strategic (sending me on a bee-line to the trash can).
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Smiling is Not Enough: The Top Ten Mistakes Your Volunteers Make Welcoming Guests at Church
