Most churches have a great team of people who work hard to welcome new visitors and get them involved. However, this is often where the effort ends for many churches. As soon as visitors are welcomed, they are left to fend for themselves. 

We need to ensure that they feel valued and cared for by the people they meet from the moment they enter our building. 

Check out this list of five easy ways to make your church visitors feel valued, so they keep coming back!

1. Cultivate a welcoming environment

A church is a community, and like any community, its members should make an effort to welcome newcomers. A warm and inviting atmosphere can make all the difference for a visitor.

One of the easiest ways to do so is with simple things like a friendly greeting, a smile, and a handshake. But you don't have to let these guidelines confine your church;  there are many different ways to show your visitors they're welcome. For example, some churches offer special programs just for guests, such as a tour or a presentation about the church. Others may host coffee hours or dinner socials to encourage conversation and connection. 

Ultimately, it's up to you and your church community to decide how you want to welcome visitors. But remember: a little effort can go a long way in making a church visitor feel truly welcome

2. Have a welcome area with helpful information

A church welcome area is typically the first place a visitor will go when they enter the building. Having a designated welcome area can ensure that your visitors have all the information they need to feel comfortable and welcomed in your church. Plus, having a central location for information will help you keep track of any questions or concerns visitors may have. 

Along with information, you may also want to stock your welcome area with helpful resources. This could include Bible studies, teaching materials, and prayer guides. You can help visitors feel at ease and prepared to explore your church further by providing them easy access to valuable resources.

3. Connect them with a mentor

Sometimes, your church visitor needs someone to walk alongside them and help them navigate their faith journey. Mentors can provide guidance, support, and encouragement as they journey together.

You might match church visitors with mentors from your church community or connect them with an existing small group leader. Some churches have specific programs or ministries designed to connect newcomers with mentors. Others simply encourage their congregants to be intentional about building relationships with those new to the church.

Either way, connecting church visitors with mentors is a great way to help them feel welcome and loved. It’s also an excellent way to cultivate deeper relationships within your church community.

4. Make it easy for people to get involved

You don't have to give people a whole bunch of options, but you want them to feel like they can make a difference. Maybe it's giving them a simple way to contribute if they wish to volunteer their time or talent, or perhaps it's helping them find out what else they can do in the church community. 

Just make sure you're giving them clear instructions for how to do it, and be sure that the process is easy enough that even a newcomer can figure out what needs doing. You might want to consider creating a volunteer sign-up form or an online portal where people can see what opportunities are available and easily sign up for the ones they're interested in. 

5. Provide a way for them to stay connected

Visitors are more likely to return if they feel a sense of belonging and connection. Give your visitors a clear path for how they can become involved in the life of your church. Send a welcome email with links to videos, sermon series, or Bible studies, or put together a new visitor packet that includes all of this info. 

Making it easy for visitors to learn more about your church will help them take their next steps. You can continue building relationships and turning visitors into lifelong members by providing a way for them to stay connected.

With the Tithe.ly Messaging app, you can keep in touch with your visitors and encourage them to return for another visit through automated church text messaging and email campaigns.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to attracting new people to your church and keeping them returning, nothing is more important than how you treat them. Making them feel valued is a great way to encourage them to become church members. 

After all, your church isn’t just a building—it’s a community of people coming together to love, support, and encourage one another.