The First Impression Team matters because people matter. If people return, they will continue to hear that they matter to God, that they have hope in Jesus. Unfortunately, if the parking lot is chaotic, if the facility is unkempt, if the people are unfriendly or closed to new people—our guests’ first impression will be anything but positive. 

Of all the steps that can be taken to create a warm and personable welcome—easy to find parking spaces, clear signage, clean restrooms, quality coffee, or creative children’s rooms—none are more important than the people who create the welcome. People create atmosphere. People form a culture that says, “You’re welcome here.” People communicate “You matter to God.”

It is the directive of the First Impression Team to communicate this message clearly and completely in the first seven minutes—starting the moment a guest pulls into our parking lot. In the first seven minutes of contact, our first-time guests will decide whether or not they plan to return. From the moment of their arrival, the subconscious is hard at work taking note of the atmosphere and people’s friendliness on a rudimentary level. Before a single worship song is sung and before a single word of the message is preached the guest knows if they want to come back next week. A closed and anxious vessel will not be open or receptive to the power of God attempting to work transformation.

There are four initial areas of contact which we can influence our guests’ first impression during the pre-service—through controlling how they are greeted, directed, treated, and seated.

Through proper greeting, directing, treating, and seating we can turn a first-time guest into a second-time guest. Turn a second-time guest into a regular attender. And finally, turn a regular attender into a fully developing member.

We must always remember in everything we do that the more prepared to receive guests we are, the more guests, or “gifts”, God will send us. The First Impression Team Matters because people matter.