4 Ways to Connect with Attenders

Just like your team, our campuses strive to make attenders feel welcome and at home when they walk through the door.

But beyond that initial warm welcome, what’s the best way to engage with attenders?

Here are four strategies we use to connect with attenders and start a conversation.

Pack the lobby. If you visit one of our campuses, you’ll notice we keep the doors to the auditorium closed until the countdown to worship begins—about five minutes before church starts. Not only does this allow our Host Team to prep the auditorium for a new service, it also builds energy and connection in the lobby. This time encourages our campus staff and volunteers to start conversations with attenders and their guests.
Have FORM. Meeting and connecting with new people can be challenging for some, but many of our teams have found success with the FORM method. FORM stands for: Family, Occupation, Recreation, and Method of contact. First, we ask about and get to know our guest’s family. Second, we talk about work—their occupation. Third, we’ll dive into what they like to do for fun. And, lastly, we’ll capture a method of contact, like a phone number or email address, to follow up with them later in the week. This acronym is simple to remember, and you’d be surprised by how much you’ll discover about someone by focusing on these four areas.
Encourage your worship team to engage. Getting the band to engage with attenders in the lobby is a huge win. Many attenders are surprised to see our worship leaders and pastors in the lobby, shaking hands and praying with others. Watch the short video below to learn more about how worship teams can connect even more with attenders.

Focus on follow-up. Have a method in place to gather prayer requests or information from first-time guests. At Life.Church, we do this through our communication card, a tear-off card attached to our bulletin. Staff or volunteers call every new attender and follow up with prayer requests within 24-48 hours.