(Check those criteria which interest you, or could apply to your church, and look for ways to take action steps in your church today.)

Means of Attracting Visitors

1. A willingness on the part of the congregation to invite friends and warmly welcome newcomers to church.
2. A current, scheduled, semi-regular ad campaign to attract visitors.
3. Regular/semi regular press releases to keep the church before the public eye.
4. Special events, lectures, seminars, etc., to which the public is invited.
5. Booths, displays, etc., at other organization's seminars, fairs, etc.
6. Organized program of members bringing friends to church.
7. Book & Pamphlet distribution to stores, public places, etc.
8. Special classes for members on talking to people about the church.
9. Study and/or spiritual growth groups to which the public has been invited.
10. Direct mail campaign introducing the church to the neighborhood.
11. Door to door surveys by Pastor and/or members of the congregation.
12. A special bookstore or other central evangelization operation.
13. Regular prayer that the Lord will inspire people to come to the church.
14. Offering church building for use by other groups (eg. community, AA meetings, voting, Scouts, etc.)
15. Seeker sensitive small group ministries (eg. parenting, singles, preschool, etc.)
16. Featuring church school and New Church religious education to inquiring families.
17. Exploring cable television/radio programs.
18. Billboard on local highway (eg. Glenview experiment).
19. Web-site introducing local congregation.
20. Other

Means of Assimilating New Members

1. Scheduled discussions/classes after church where people can get to know each other better.
2. Welcome pamphlets & general literature available to newcomers.
3. A bookroom, display, etc., for newcomers.
4. A regularly updated list of prospects.
5. Small groups to which newcomers are invited (eg. sp. growth groups, mothers group, home group, men's group, study group, etc.)
6. Regular/semi-regular inquirers' classes, study groups, etc.
7. Pastoral or lay visitation of newcomers.
8. Back door ministry (System of contacting those who drop out.)
9. Friendship committee/welcome committee.
10. Refreshments after church.
11. Program to incorporate new members into meaningful uses.
12. Inviting newcomers into homes on a regular basis.
13. Other

Creating A Visitor Friendly Church

1. Greeters program.
2. A visible and accessible church building or rented facility.
3. Clear, visible & visitor friendly signs identifying the church, sanctuary, etc.
4. Some variety in the type of worship services and means of instruction to meet the different needs of members of the church and newcomers.
5. A simple order of service or clear instructions for newcomers to follow during the service.
6. Good, doctrinal, practical sermons well delivered on Sunday mornings.
7. Regular/semi-regular sermons, classes, instruction geared to help members be aware of newcomers, their needs, and the congregation's responsibility to them.
8. Intentional steps to help the congregation become more welcoming toward newcomers, some of whom become willing to invite newcomers into their circle of friends.
9. Strong lay involvement in the decision making and participation in church activities.
10. Attempts to make newsletter newcomer sensitive.
11. Use of name tags for Sunday services.
12. Other