5LQ Episode 234: How to Lead a Guest Service Team –

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast, Todd Adkins and Daniel Im are joined by Danny Franks, Connections Pastor at the Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. During their conversation, they discuss the following questions: Why should churches care about their Guest Service team and the first impression they make? How do you communicate this vision to your people? What are some qualities you should look for in a guest service volunteer? (Job profile) How do should you go about recruiting for and building a guest services team? What are some practical tips to welcome first time guests? BEST QUOTES “People were the mission for Jesus, so they should be our mission today as well.” “I’m surprised at how many churches communicate that they don’t care about their guests.” “Many churches do not have a plan for how they will reach their guests on a Sunday morning.” “Churches need to realize there is a difference between being friendly and being intentional.” “It is going to be hard for someone to connect with a sermon if they first have not connected to you or someone in your congregation.” “You need to have volunteers outside of your building because that is the first thing that your guests are going to see.” “Stage announcements for volunteers often create awareness, but don’t always create action.” “The best person to recruit or develop a volunteer for a ministry is someone already serving in that ministry.” “If we think through the experience before our guests have the experience, we’ve already won 90% of the battle.” RECOMMENDED RESOURCES People are the Mission by Danny Franks Guest Services Training on Ministry Grid