Much of the following is courtersy of "Church Toolbox."

70% of all people who visit a church make up their mind about coming back BEFORE the pastor gets up to preach!!!

The early church was highly evangelistic, its purpose was to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those near them, and, eventually spreading the gospel throughout the world. We are a faith that seeks to grow.

At the same time, in the USA, our culture has become increasingly secularized and church membership has dropped. As a society we no longer have any expectation that people will automatically attend church. In fact, only about 40% of the country does. Can you believe we have done such a poor job? But, it does present an opportunity for evangelism. EVANGELISM TODAY MEANS SPEAKING TO A CULTURE THAT IS INCREASINGLY SECULAR. (Note: see information about generations).

Keys to Reaching Secular People

1. Bring the gospel to the culture. Do not expect the culture to understand the gospel. Start with the culture and move to the gospel. Understand Brittany Spears, Jerry Springer, the Super Bowl, the TV show "Survivor", video games and whatever else is poplar in the culture. That can be a start to move people toward Jesus. We cannot transform the culture if we have no understanding of it.

2. Be Ready to Educate. We must assume that people have almost no knowledge of Christianity or church customs. Be ready to teach doctrines such as the Trinity, sin, and redemption, resurrection, etc. in very basic terms. In worship, be as "user-friendly" as possible. Ask an unchurched friend to give a critical analysis of your facilities, media, music, worship and signage around the church property. Permanent pamphlets in the pews explaining the worship service will reduce anxiety. Explanations of events such as baptism and communion help people feel more comfortable. These are not just worship services but teaching opportunities. It is also important to provide an environment where all questions are OK, and indeed a part of the faith journey.

3. Present the "Deep Meaning" Inherent in the Christian World View. Secular people, like many Christians, view the world in rational scientific terms. Many of those who come to our churches are seeking answers to deeper questions they have for their life. Understand and respect the scientific world view, and yet be aware of its limitations. Bring examples of scientific articles of thought provoking content into sermons and teachings.

4. Christian Community - a Precious Commodity. As technology has advanced, community has declined. People in our culture have become busier, and more lonely at the same time. As the earliest chapters of Genesis tell us, it is not good for humans to e alone. Chat rooms on the internet are a sad substitute for connecting with a community that loves us and cares for us. Events where people can get together, make friends and deepen relationships are rare in our culture. Churches have always specialized in this. Do not underestimate the power that even simple community events can have. Potluck suppers, spaghetti dinners and cookouts can provide life changing connections for lonely people. Not everyone is looking for programs - some are simply looking for an authentic community of faith to explore faith.

5. Meet the Community in Non-Church Settings. Consider holding "non-church" church events. Such as "The Blessing of the Animals." This is a religious ceremony, but is usually outside, not in the church building. Secular people who attend can get a taste of what church is like, but in a much safer (to them) environment. A "Clown Fest" event, held in church but on a Sunday afternoon, with little formality is an example. DON'T always ask or beg for money!

Figure Out if You Have to Improve FIRST IMPRESSIONS

First Thing Guests Will See:

1. Signage and Publications

Signs, updated logo
Look at condition of signs indoors and out
Are the signs new looking, not rusty or peeling?
Are they readable from the road while driving, not more than 7 words, service times readable?
Once parked, do visitors know where to go? Are there clear directions to sanctuary or worship space, nursery, offices, classes, meeting spaces, etc.?
Bulletin, no typos, proper grammar
Avoid juggling TOO MANY books. Is it possible to print the service in the bulletin or to use only one book for music?
Keep publications simple and readable
In bulletins and announcements avoid INSIDER language that is not explained: ie. ECW, EYC, ECC, St. Monica's Guild
How do people know what goes on past Sunday morning? Is there a "welcome" brochure or last month's newsletter available for newcomers to pick up? Are weekly events published in the Sunday bulletin?

2. Facility

Parking - Do they know where to park?
Exterior - Do they care about the facility? Is it clean?
Interior - Is it inviting and attractive?
Bathrooms - Are they well marked? Have you checked them? (Keep extra supplies on hand)
Nursery - Is it well marked and clean? Are diaper odors controlled?

3. Ushers and Greeters (Do guests feel welcomed or assaulted?)

Friendly and informed
Balance of male and female (always have a woman)
Balance of ages - youth=vitality -age=stability -older people love young people
Along with nursery workers and children's teachers, these are your best evangelists!

4. Nursery

Clean
Secure procedures (children registered)
Consistent trained workers
Greeting team stationed
Brochure explaining the procedures

5. Atmosphere (The atmosphere should reflect the tone of the parish)

Will there be pre-service music? Prelude? Reflective or upbeat?
Lighting: Is it appropriate to the mood desired at each particular service?
Pace/Moods: The service should move smoothly and efficiently, without feeling rushed. Watch transitions between parts of service. How does mood change from Worship space to other Sunday programs? Are clergy and staff mindful of special needs?
Smell: Coffee brewing? Incense? Flowers? Make sure any smells are positive and inviting. Not musty. Not offensive.
Decor: What do people see when they first walk in the door? Is any information up to date and an accurate portrayal of the current church community's values and diversity? What are the decorations and symbols saying about your parish? Is the seating and space comfortable? A church feels full when 80% of the seats are taken. Newcomers want the back pews and aisle seats. Train ushers and regular attendees to leave a few of these free.

6. Clergy and other worship leaders

Warmth and enthusiasm - match the person with the assignment
Genuine
Attire: not fashion, but grooming; coordinated; mirrors audience (formal to informal)
Clergy or other speakers should assume that there's always somebody in the audience who doesn't know who you're talking about.

7. Enthusiastic Children's Workers and Programs (3 out of 4 parents say a church that provides religious training for their children would be of interest to them)

8. Language and Labels

Evaluate church terms in relation to your mission and cultural context. Is it good to keep labels such as "Sunday School" or "Children's Chapel" or to use different terms such as "Christian Formation, Promise Land, KidsZone, Church School" or whatever terms will speak to the demographics.
Avoid "insider" language. Don't assume people know how "church" works, or what the Book of Common Prayer is.

9. Music Communicates (more than any other factor, music defines you as a church)

Match the listening tastes of the audience
Energy: Shape music to match heights and depths of energy during a service. (for example, don't sing "Lift High the Cross" during communion.
Lyrics (must be able to hear the vocals)
Competence (Can't compromise in this area)
Don't assume. (Contrary to what you may think, non-Christians don't make a habit to listen to Christian music, sing hymns in their home or pray out loud)

10. Expectations (Explain WITHOUT patronizing)

Try bridging parts of the service with simple explanations either spoken or written in the bulletin. Having heard about God's goodness in the scripture and sermon, let us now proclaim our faith in God in the words of the Nicene Creed
Do they know when to stand, sit or kneel?
Singing: Any parts of the service to be sung by the congregation should be easily found in the bulletin or hymnal. Consider printing some music in the bulletin.
Praying: Do people know when to join incorporate prayer?
Giving: Will you invite visitors to not give. (One of the biggest complaints by non-church goers, is that church is just after your money. Consider an announcement, spoken or written that says, "At this time, those who are committed to the mission and ministry of God in this parish offer back to God some of what God has given them. For anyone new or visiting, this worship service is our gift to you, and you are not expected to give."

11. Other communication forms. The sermon is not the only medium. All people respond well to beuaty in art. Consider how other forms could be used in your worship serviceor in other aspects of church life.

Drama
Videos
Slides
Evokes emotion
Is non-threatening
Paints pictures

12. Use of the Bible. A symbol of truth and authority. Don't assume people know how to use a Bible)Americans do not understand what the church is preaching. A survey of American adults found that few people could explain even remotely accurate terms such as "The Great Commission" (9%), John 3:16 (35%), Evangelical (18%), or the Gospel (37%)" (Bama Research Group)

13. Pastor - after 22 minutes, you lose your audience! Understand yopur audience's world, knowthe culture.

Don't give somebody else's message
Spend time preparing
Verbage - do you use language that the common person understands?
Disclosure - are you human? Do you let your people know you struggle with sin too?

14. Service times. Would changing your service times attract the people you are trying to reach? For example, is the children's oriented service too early or too late in the day?

15. Genuinely Experience God. Non-churched people want a deeper, more tangible and significant experience with God. People want to see that Christ makes a difference.

OK	Not OK	ANSWERING MACH./RECEPTIONIST
		Warm, friendly
		Clear information
		Professional sounding
		SIGNAGE
		Clearly seen from the street
		Updated logo
		Use of colors
		7 words or less
		Service times
		Bulletin - no typos, good grammar
		USHERS & GREETERS
		Friendly & informed
		Balance of male & female
		Balance of ages

OK	Not OK	FACILITY
		Parking, adequate, accessible
		Exterior - clean, well cared for
		Interior - inviting & attractive
		Bathrooms - well marked
		Extra supplies on hand
		Nursery well marked
		Special info highlighted
		NURSERY
		Clean
		Secure procedures, children registered
		Consistent trained workers
		Greeting team stationed
		Brochure explaining procedures

OK	Not OK	Atmosphere
		Background music upbeat & energetic
		Lighting
		Smell - coffee brewing
		Conversation - silence is threatening
		Decor - any symbols
		Comfortable seating & space
		UP-FRONTERS
		Warmth & enthusiasm
		Genuine
		Appropriate attire
		CHILDREN'S WORKERS & PROGRAMS
		Enthusiastic workers
		Room set up and ready for children early
		Materials: fun and age appropriate

OK	Not OK	LABELS (USE 90'S AND LATER TERMS)
		NOT "Sunday School"
		Avoid "insider" language
		Clear and all-inclusive
		MUSIC COMMUNICATES
		Match listening tastes of audience
		Energy
		Lyrics (Must hear vocals)
		Competence, skill a must
		EXPECTATIONS - EXPLAIN WITHOUT PATRONIZING
		Singing
		Praying
		Giving
		Standing, shaking, raising

OK	Not OK	SERVICE TIMES - PACE/MOODS
		Reflect community preferences
		Best suited for family schedules
		Well paced
		OTHER COMMUNICAION FORMS
		Drama
		Video
		Slides
		PASTOR
		Understands audience's world
		Spends time preparing & sermon length
		Uses Bible
		Bibles available or text printed
		Uses common language
		Disclosure