Church Marketing Sucks

About every other week, for the past few months, I’ve been going to the same restaurant before heading to an evening class after work. The restaurant is one of those soup and salad places with a salad bar, soup bar and assorted breads section. It’s quick, easy and it gives me a little time to prepare/read-up for the class.

Because of the format of the restaurant, there are no waiters or waitresses. There are, however, the people who keep tables cleaned, trays removed, etc.

Say hello to Matt.

Matt is the table cleaner, tray remover, 30-something tall and slender “busboy” who is there every time I am. From the beginning, Matt greeted me with a smile and made sure I was taken care of. He goes above and beyond by asking if he can refill my drink, even offering coffee “on the house.” One time he brought me warm chocolate chip cookies that usually cost extra.

Matt doesn’t do this for everyone else (I’ve watched him), but he does seem to take care of a few “regulars” like myself. I do leave a few dollars behind when I leave, wave goodbye, and thank him every time.

To top it all off, this past Monday night when I went in before class, Matt had a Christmas card for me! Just a little thank you note thanking me for my “patronage.”

Matt is the kind of guy I want greeting me at church. Matt is the guy I want meeting me in the parking lot before service and asking me if I need help carrying anything in. Matt is the guy I want waving goodbye to me and thanking me for coming. Matt is the guy I want to get a thank you card from just because Matt wanted to.

Not because the church trained Matt in all of this, but because Matt is all of this. These are his values.

These are the kind of people I want interacting with first-timers and old-timers, young and old. Authentic people that can’t help but be themselves.

More:

• Learn more about how to welcome church visitors with this massive collection of resources and blog posts.
• Walking into a church for the first time can be scary. Check out Unwelcome: 50 Ways Churches Drive Away First-Time Visitors by Jonathan Malm for practical ideas and perspective on first-time guests.