That First Impression (The deal breaker)

Presentation, presentation, presentation!!! Presentation is everything when it comes to making a good first impression.

First impressions are not just for first dates, business interviews, and meeting your future in-laws. First impressions are applied and evident in everything we do. First impressions and presentation is seen everywhere we go. From the grocery store to the day care to the neighborhood you live in, preparations are made that will make you take notice in a positive way.

At the moment, my family and I are looking at new homes. The first impressions made on us normally make or break the deal before we ever see inside the house. When I call a home owner or realtor I expect to be treated professionally and courteously. I want the person giving me information on the home to have all the details I need about the house, the neighborhood, and the school system. When I see the yard for the first time, I want to see a place that is well taken care of. I expect that the neighbors around me have well manicured lawns and maintained landscape as well. When I walk inside, I expect to be greeted by a pleasant smell. I expect to be impressed. If the house falls short of my expectations, I will pass it by regardless of the price.

When you visit some place new, you take everything into account. Every detail matters. You look for gas stations that meet your requirements. You are picky about the restaurants you dine in, no matter the reputation. If you are like me, you even take notice of the trash on the side of the road. This isn’t being picky or snobbish, this is human nature and we are all guilty. We all have standards we hold to and place prerequisites on things we are unfamiliar with.

Going to church is no different. Unfortunately, we overlook the impression our church makes on most days. We forget about what those on the outside think. The impression you and your church makes on others speaks volumes to first time visitors. The impression received will either welcome people back or turn them away. A first impression will make or break a church. People generally give one shot when they try out somewhere new. You have one chance to make new people feel at home and at ease.First impression has much to do with preparation. Just like that first date, you want to take your time to make sure you look (and smell) your best. The clothes have to be perfect. Your hair is freshly cut and styled. Every blemish is hidden as best as it can be. Before that cherished date gets there, you will diet and exercise in order to drop any extra vanity pounds that no one other than you has ever noticed.

If you want to have your church make a greater impact than it is right now, ask yourself how your church looks to a first time visitor or a passer-by. Is the parking lot clean? How do the floors on the interior of the church look? How does the music sound? Will the programs taking place relate to those that you want to reach? Is there a greeter available to direct people through the unknown and into the nursery, children’s programs, and to the main service? Everything must be taken into account.

One of my biggest pet peeves is with the music and audio visuals of the church. Multi-media and sound will turn a person off faster than running into a rude person in the parking lot. Again, it takes preparation in order to make a good first impression. This means that a sound check shouldn’t just be needed before service, it is a requirement. A run-through of how everything will work and sound will make sure that lighting and sound issues are ironed out before the first note is played in public. It also ensures that the musicians are locked in and working in unity. A full sound check will test lighting, sound levels, back-up vocals, and video. Everything must flow with perfection. If there are flaws, visitors will see them.

A run-through isn’t just for the music. A rehearsal of sorts is sometimes needed in many areas of service. Let me say this again, preparation is everything when it comes to making a first impression. You want to make sure that all of the bugs are worked out before you step in front of people. Preparation and rehearsal gives you time to correct issues, and if need be, abandon a project altogether.

Here are a few questions for you to consider. Is there a visitor’s center / area / desk with a knowledgeable person behind it? Are new people being greeted properly and directed towards the right areas? Does your children’s area and nursery have the right security in place to deter any potential problems? When people walk into the main service area, is it quiet, or is there background noise and a video of announcements and upcoming events to ease the tension? Are there people mingling, if not they need to be? Does the service start on time, every time? Do visitors feel comfortable and welcome? Does your church fit in with the surrounding community in music and dress style? Do the people already here seem genuine and real?

You may see your church as being too small to worry about some of the things I have mentioned. If that’s your mindset, you need to rethink how you see your church. If you think small, everything will be small. Think big and do big things. You may have more people working behind the scenes than you do in the audience, but that isn’t a bad thing. This is called “service” for a reason. People want to be involved. Find out where they fit in the best and plug them in. In the end you will see that you are preparing to see a very large impact made. You will see new visitors.

Complacency is a very ugly thing. When you become complacent you become accustomed to things that could be detrimental to the important first impression. We don’t consider the run of the mill things that the “regulars” are used to seeing. Every time you pass your church, pass it as a visitor and see things through their eyes. Complacency equals failure.