Chapter 14: Designing a Seeker-Sensitive Service

Often when I hear seeker-sensitive, I think of watered-down, sugar-coated Gospel and most people have the same notions.  But this is intended to be completely different than what we may think. Seeker-sensitive means having a service that tugs at the heart while edifying the believing congregation. It also means that we should make it as easy and family-oriented as possible for the convenience of the people.  Organizing a service takes people and smooth transitioning almost like a director on a movie set.  Speaking of people, we need to make visitors comfortable and welcome by making room for them.  If a parking lot can't hold visitors, there is a small problem. Having a greeting team shows a sense of warmth and builds conversation and it can continue throughout time.

Welcome cards ("Get Connected" cards as they have become popularly known as) are a great tool which I will plan to use for my ministry.  Everyone should be able to greet one another at different times during the service and even enjoy refreshments afterwards.

Brightening up the place will also make things appealing to those who are not normally church-goers.  Between lighting, sound, seating comfort and arrangement, space, comfortable temperatures, and much more, people can be drawn or turned away if you have or don't have the necessary amenities.

Having an attractive atmosphere in the church's weekly service is very important but a simple order of service is also important for people to understand what's going on.  Announcements tend to be internally and that tunes a lot of people out.

Continue to improve on services because different outlooks will come over time and you can refine as many times as needed.