![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.blackaby.net\/members\/files\/2010\/11\/beyond-the-first-visit1.jpg\" "\\"beyond-the-first-visit\\"")
[rating:4]<\/p>\n[rating:4]<\/p>\n
(Grand Rapids Michigan: Baker Books, 2006)<\/em><\/p>\n 192 pgs<\/em><\/p>\n Dr. Gary McIntosh is professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He is a former pastor and serves as a church consultant which requires that he visit numerous churches of all sizes each year.\u00a0 He also has numerous books he has authored and co-authored including, Church that Works, Biblical Church Growth, Staff Your Church for Growth,<\/em> and One Size Doesn\u2019t Fit All<\/em>. Dr. McIntosh is also the editor of Church Growth Network and Journal of the American Society of Church Growth. With such credentials behind his name, Dr. McIntosh writes with knowledge and authority.<\/p>\n Reading this book was like sitting down with Dr. McIntosh over coffee and chatting about his experiences and observations from years of ministry. The chapters of his book have intriguing titles such as, \u201cEmpty the Cat Litter Box\u201d, \u201cCreate a Lasting Impression\u201d, \u201cGuesterize Your Church\u201d and \u201cBuild Pathways of Belonging\u201d.<\/p>\n McIntosh notes that on average, churches will keep about 16% of first time visitors, whereas they will keep on average about 85% of second time visitors. It is therefore crucial to create an atmosphere and church culture that will make visitors want to return for a second visit. Some of his recommendations are simply implemented such as calling visitors guests instead of visitors. He claims in most homes visitors<\/em> are generally tolerated but not expected whereas guests<\/em> are welcomed into the home and given a place of honor. We prepare for guests, but are caught off guard by visitors. McIntosh rightly notes that most church members no longer see what guests see as they have already become integrated into the life of the congregation. Members know where everything is and don\u2019t need signage, directions, or someone to take them or their children to the right places.<\/p>\n Most first time visitors will immediately get a \u2018feeling\u2019 about a church when they walk in the door. It is important that the feeling they get be one of truly being not only welcomed, but wanted and needed. He mentions the \u201c10 foot rule\u201d, the \u201cjust say hi\u201d rule, and the \u201cfive minute\u201d rule. He trains his members to recognize if anyone they do not know walks within 10 feet of them, they are to just say hi. Most people may smile or nod their heads, but actually speaking to a visitor acknowledges their presence in a positive and very easy and simple way. The \u201cfive minute\u201d rule states that for the first five minutes immediately after the service, member are supposed to speak to the guests before they speak to their friends or family. In the last town I moved to we visited several churches in our search for a new church home. In three of the five churches we visited, not one person spoke to our family. Needless to say, we did not have a good feeling about those churches. The members may think they are friendly, and they certainly were to one another, but their guests that day felt their cold shoulders as they walked across the \u201cunwelcome\u201d mat at the door.<\/p>\n McIntosh identifies the three core ministries as: facilities, child care and worship. If any of these three are substandard, or not a notch above the expectations of the guests, they will not return for a second visit. Further, the reader is asked several questions. Would you be proud enough of your church to bring visitors to it or would you have to recommend another church you have heard good things about? Is there anything a visitor would say, \u201cI like that\u201d about your church?<\/p>\n The author also spends time looking at church image. He talks about how to start good rumours about your church in order to get the word out in the community that you are a good place to visit. He looks at how to name a church, how to advertise, what to publicize, how to start new ministries that touch felt needs of the community, and much more.<\/p>\n This is a practical, hands-on approach to church growth that starts at the front door and never stops. Included in the book are informal surveys that can be adapted for any church that can help identify the perceptions and misperceptions people have of your church so that barriers and inadvertent obstacles can be removed, changed, painted, or discarded so that visitors will become contributing members.<\/p>\n I would highly recommend this book for its practical approach to the details of church, and put it in the hands of any church administrator or pastor who is interested in helping their church be a place people want to come back to. McIntosh does advocate having a strategic plan to keep visitors and to create a church culture that is welcoming and inviting, however he is also careful to allow for the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit to direct what that looks like. This book is short on prayer and spiritual direction and high on the practical, hands-on, nitty-gritty details that every church should look at and evaluate in a serious manner.<\/p>\n Also, I would think this book is targeted more to the small to medium sized church simply because the larger churches would likely not have a problem in this area, though a review is always recommended.<\/p>\n I am sure there are many books on church growth, but I doubt there will be many more helpful than this one.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [rating:4] (Grand Rapids Michigan: Baker Books, 2006) 192 pgs Dr. Gary McIntosh is professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He is a former pastor and serves as a church consultant which requires that he visit numerous churches of all sizes each year.\u00a0 He also has numerous books he … <\/p>\n