Unwelcome: 50 Ways Churches Drive Away First-Time Visitors

by Jonathan Malm, Kem Meyer (Foreword)

Walking into a church for the first time can be scary. Are you making your first-time guests feel welcome? Or are you driving them away—unintentionally—with bad signage, reserved seating, clunky communication and more? In this practical book, Jonathan Malm examines 50 ways churches make first-time visitors feel unwelcome. The transgressions range from insider lingo to awkward transitions, a cold congregation to the over-eager greeter. With all 50 church faux pas, Jonathan suggests ways to not only fix the problem, but also infuse excellence into the situation so churches can put their best foot forward with first-time guests. A few simple changes can help your church roll out the welcome mat for your guests.

Genres: Christian

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2014

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What this book is: A list of 50 different actions and/or omissions that may cause first-time visitors to churches not to come back for a second visit. These are loosely grouped into 5 general categories, including worship, communication, and "First Impressions," and each of the 50 points gets 2-3 pages of description explaining what it is and what the big deal with it is. Malm also provides an anecdote for each of these Ways, which is the part I found most helpful, because it allows you to put yourself into the shoes of a first-time guest at a church. He also offers a couple of simple, (usually) cheap, and effective ways to resolve each problem.

What it's not: Literally anything more than that.

This is not a very hype-y book. I'd describe it as basically a bullet list that someone turned into a book, and you know what? That's perfect here. I read it throughout the course of one day, and I'm not a very dedicated reader reader; it's quick, light, and invites unapologetic skimming when it becomes clear that point #36 doesn't apply to your ministry setting. I created a list of my own during my reading of it where I compiled the problems that Malm listed that caught my attention and reminded me of my own church, a list I'm going to come back to after our next service to reflect upon.

I recommend this as a quick reference book (and how many of those do you own?), a list of symptoms you can come back to in different seasons of ministry for some practical guidance on how to show greater courtesy and honor to your church's guest without sacrificing authenticity for consumerism. The book gets a 5/5 for what it is, and the last name Malm gets a bonus +1 cus I find it very aesthetic.

-Sam

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was excellent, especially for my church community where we're at.

It pinpoints really well a lot of situations many of us will have faced visiting churches over the years, and my own community is definitely guilty of a few of the points Malm raises.

This would be a phenomenal guide to give to new welcomers, new worship leaders, as well as key members of church leadership.

I highly recommend it.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick, thorough read on how many ways and opportunities churches have to turn off first time visitors. Well worth it for the church types to read when we wonder why our churches are not growing.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently joined our church staff in a newly created role to create better guest experiences and help create a smoother pathway to helping first-time guests get plugged in. This book was an exteremly helpful primer and the short chapters make it easy to read a chapter a day. There are sections that would benefit any person on staff at a church (worship leader, pastor, mareketing, etc.)

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book falls in the middle for me. Wasn’t terrible but wasn’t exactly applicable for me or the church I’m at. It is a good book to see where your church falls in these areas but some may be a little self explanatory. Very easy ready though which was great.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely some worthwhile ideas in here.

[Kandace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful

[Elizabeth Race · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I was looking for, but helpful.

This was a good start,but my church is very small,and a lot of the suggestions were not really Germaine. Good ideas,especially for a large church.

[pradiph · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good

It's a good read. had some interesting ideas. Mind opening. Will recommend this book to any one that's looking to improve their serve.

[Helene · Rating 2 out of 5]

some interesting comments but several are variations on a theme rather than something really different. did include examples from his experience to illustrate.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for churches intentional on welcoming newcomers into their families!

Our little church plant is growing since we've acquired our own building, so our pastor loaned my husband and me, designated greeters for our church, this book, among others, to familiarize ourselves with concerns that guests may encounter when visiting a church. I would highly recommend this for ALL congregation members to read, as this book covers all realms of ministry from worship to volunteer services, as well as the people in the pews themselves! Each person shares a vital impact in the impression they make on newcomers.