All churches like to think that theirs is the friendliest in town. But do visitors see it that way? Church consultant Gary McIntosh invites readers to take a look at their church through the eyes of visitors and potential visitors. His starting point, grounded in an understanding of God as a "welcomer," is that churches should see those who enter their doors as not merely visitors, but as guests, and themselves as gracious hosts. This practical book offers sound advice on assessing and improving the ways in which churches attract people, welcome them, do follow-up, and bring them into the church family. It also offers suggestions for making a welcoming attitude part of the very fabric of the local church.
Does your church put out the "Welcome" mat or the "Do not
disturb" sign?
We all like to think that our church is the friendliest one in
town. But do visitors see it that way? Church consultant Gary L.
McIntosh invites you to take another look at your church through
the eyes of a first-time guest to identify the things that might be
holding them back from a second visit.
This very practical book offers sound advice on assessing and
improving the ways in which your church attracts people, welcomes
them, does follow-up, and brings them into the church family. More
than simply offering mere techniques, it gives suggestions for
making a welcoming attitude part of the very fabric of your
church.
"McIntosh is a coach who knows the fundamentals of church life and
outreach. Beyond the First Visit is an essential training tool on
how to implement these fundamentals."--Dr. John W. Ellas, Center
for Church Growth
"Gary McIntosh has learned, as a church consultant with years of
experience, to see the churches he visits from the first-time
guest's point of view. We have only one chance to make a first
impression!"--Eddie Gibbs, Fuller Theological Seminary
"McIntosh's new book fills a long-standing void. No one (to my
knowledge) since Lyle Schaller's Assimilating New Members,
published in 1978, has addressed the challenge of effectively
including new people in the church's life with this much
background, savvy, and precision."--George G. Hunter III,
distinguished professor of Evangelism and Church Growth, Asbury
Theological Seminary
"This book is great! It's filled with practical ideas to tackle
every local church's greatest challenge: how to connect and
disciple new people. We have already begun to implement many of
Gary's excellent ideas."--Dr. Gary D. Kinnaman, author, senior
pastor, Word of Grace, Mesa, AZ
Gary L. McIntosh is professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership
at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He is a former
pastor with many years as a church consultant. He is the author or
coauthor of thirteen books on church leadership and growth, and the
editor of Church Growth Network and Journal of the American Society
of Church Growth.
“Today our mobile society finds people moving three to six times, with some moving up to twenty times, during their lifetime. Add to this the fracturing of the family and the breakdown of natural networks of friendships, and we can see that it is more of a challenge to welcome guests today.” (source)
“Determine your ministry area and focus advertising within this limited geographical area for best results” (source)
“four main body-space zones and labeled them intimate, personal, social, and public.” (source)
“This means that most of the new people who connect with the church will make first contact through the worship service, rather than through small groups or other ministries. Churches that focus primarily on front-door ministry must put major emphasis on being effective hosts.” (source)
“background. That means that 70 percent come with little or no understanding of our church” (source)