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Are the majority of your newest members and attendees mature Christians; tithe payers, capable leaders, etc? I hope you didn't say "yes". If your church is best positioned to attract Christians, you are not positioned correctly. And the differences are not generally easy to see.

A good example is what is happening in two churches I am familiar with. One has just completed a renovation of their facilities. One observer commented that church did a great job and gave the sanctuary a real makeover. They made it a very attractive space.

The other church has an expansive campus. Very nice, modern buildings. Large numbers of people attending multiple services.

Neither church is positioned well for appropriate growth. Inadvertently, both churches have laid out the red carpet for church-going Christians, while neglecting to adequately welcome non-Christians.

In the case of the first church, money was spent making the sanctuary first class. But the very use of the term "sanctuary" is a dead giveaway of their focus. First-time guests, new Christians, and non-Christians do not put much stock in fancy furnishings. Especially in the worship area.

In the second example, a first-time guest faces an intimidation factor. They must place themselves at the mercy of the mass of humanity to determine where to go. Signage and greeters are lacking. And what signage there is contains "code", wording that regulars understand but guests would not.

This article is about one thing: seeing your church through the eyes of the unchurched. And the majority of your first-time guests should be non-Christians.

What should have been the focus of the renovation of the first church in our example? While a renovation could include the worship area, the best money is spent on signage, exteriors/landscaping, women's restrooms, and the nursery/children's area. With those last two being absolutely first priority. Those are the areas an "outsider" will notice first, while "regulars" rarely notice.

Why? On old saying goes, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". In this era, if a young mother is going to leave her kids with complete strangers, she is going to have to feel good about it. And if she keeps her kids with her, but has to take them out from time-to-time, that restroom better make a good impression. In fact, redesign it with a lounge element and/or add a nursing mother's room. A "family" restroom is also a great idea.

How about the large church with the intimidation factor working against it? Signs and greeters. Proactive greeters. Greeters in the parking lots. Welcome stations dotted around the campus. Signs without code. Anything that allows a guest to gather information.

Look at your church through the eyes of the unchurched. The eyes of the first-time guest. Which is not always easy for a pastor or regular attendee. You get used to things. And that is why getting an outside opinion sometimes helps.

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