Introduction: A Wonderful Church Community

What a wonderful church! When I say "church," I mean the people of this church. You are so welcoming, loving, and truly show the love of Christ to your community. Here are some really cool things we observed:

• Seniors Lunch Fellowship: The fellowship during the seniors' lunch is a big deal. You bring in so many people, and the community knows they are welcome. This is a powerful testament to your hospitality.
• Meals for School Teachers: Providing meals to school teachers is a fantastic way to make a real impact. It’s practical, meaningful, and shows care for those shaping the next generation.
• Free Clothing for Those in Need: The free clothing initiative for people in need is a huge statement for the town. It demonstrates your commitment to serving others selflessly.
• Wednesday Night Bus Ministry: Your bus ministry on Wednesday nights is incredible. You’re truly making an impact in kids’ lives and this community, which is huge.
• Facebook Management: Your Facebook presence is killer! Evan and Katie are doing an amazing job with this, and it makes a difference in how you connect with the community online.

The Building: Well-Maintained with Room for Growth

Your building is a wonderful, well-kept, clean facility. For a church of this age, I’m truly impressed by how it’s been maintained. However, there are a few areas to consider:

• Decluttering: You face the same issue as many churches—not throwing away old things. If something isn’t being used, it needs to be sold or thrown away. This keeps the place looking nice and fresh all the time.
• Tech Investment: Your willingness to invest in updating the tech has paid off in a huge way. You’re now set up to effectively stream and carry on a modern worship service. This is a big win!
• Fellowship Hall: The fellowship hall is an incredible, well-thought-out space. I know some of you in here had a lot to do with the build, and I just want to say, well done.

Outdoor Signage: Making a Strong First Impression

I recommend hiring a company to remake your outdoor sign. The new sign should be simple, displaying your main worship service times and a new logo to reflect a fresh, welcoming identity. I do not recommend including Sunday School times on the sign, as we want new visitors to attend the main worship service first, ensuring their initial experience is with the full congregation.

Evaluation as a First-Time Visitor (Non-Believer, 25-35 with Kids)

When I evaluate a church service, I don’t think of it from my perspective or what I would like. I try to think about it as someone who is searching—ideally, someone aged 25-35 with kids, who might be far from God but is walking through your front doors for the first time. I’m not a fan of transfer growth (gaining people because they’re mad at another church), and I don’t think Evan is either. We also don’t want to just make people feel good because they’ve been to a similar church their whole life. The best growth comes from people who are far from God discovering the church and starting to attend. Here’s what I noticed:

• Arrival Timing (9:50-10:00 AM): If I arrive at 9:50 or anytime before 10:00, I feel awkward. I’m stuck in the foyer while Sunday School finishes. Sunday School is great, but it should be more like a small group. It’s hard to do that when everyone is spread out, and it wastes your first impressions. Solution: Move Sunday School to the library. This way, when a new person comes in on Sunday morning, they’re greeted, hear music in the auditorium, and can continue in to have a seat.
• Signage: If I’m a 27-year-old with my family and two kids, I walk in the front door and need to know where to go. A simple sign that says "Kids" pointing down the stairs would work wonders.
• Kids’ Check-In System: Speaking of kids, if we’re trying to reach the lost, we’ll get the lost in our church. In a small town like this, check-in might not seem like a concern if you only have Christian people attending. But if that’s the case, I’d say you’re not carrying out the Great Commission, which is a bigger problem. We need a check-in system for three reasons:
  • First Impressions: If I’m new, I need to be reassured you take security seriously.
  • Deterrence: If I’m a predator, I need to know you’re serious about security, so I’ll hopefully move on.
  • Safety: If, God forbid, anything were to happen, we need to know we’ve done everything in our power to protect the kids. Without a check-in/check-out system, you haven’t.
  Good News: Thanks to ChurchApps, the ongoing cost for check-in is $0! Evan has already purchased a printer and tablet. Now, you just need leadership to ensure procedures are followed.
• Coffee Suggestion: I’m going to throw out an idea—I don’t know how to make it happen, but I think it would make things more welcoming and give your Sunday morning service more life. Many churches offer coffee because, for someone new, it’s something they can grab to feel comfortable and at ease. I don’t know where you’d set it up, but it would be a nice addition.

The Service: Creating a Welcoming Experience

• Distinction Between Service and Sunday School/Small Groups: There needs to be a clear distinction between your Sunday morning service and a Sunday School class or small group. I 100% believe in prayer and prayer requests, but when it’s opened up for anyone to make a request during the service, it’s awkward. The same goes for the cards—I felt bad passing a card on because I didn’t know what it was for, if I needed to sign it, or if I wanted to sign it since I didn’t know the person. This can only be magnified for someone new. Solution: Reserve prayer requests and cards for Sunday School or small groups.
• Worship: We obviously came in during a transition time, and transitions are tough. Having a great worship band with sound and singers won’t happen overnight, but you’re definitely moving in the right direction. With time, people will step up, and the sound will get better and better. I can tell you what Katie does is better than, or as good as, probably 75% of churches your size or smaller. Keep the course—Rome wasn’t built in a day! We also need to ensure there is no dead air between communion, songs, or anything that is going on during the service—smooth transitions are key to keeping the congregation engaged and the service flowing naturally. I’d highly recommend adding some kind of percussion next. Find someone who can play a cajón, bongos, or congas to add some energy.
• Specials: I’m not a huge fan of specials, but if you must have them, they should be really excellent and should be done during the offering to avoid disrupting the flow of the service.

Closing Note

You’re a church that loves deeply and serves well. With a few adjustments, you can become even more welcoming to those who are far from God but searching for hope. Thank you for letting us evaluate your ministry—we’re excited to see how God continues to work through you!