We Love to See You Smile

by Chris Forbes

Free tips for getting the word out about your church from the Ministry Marketing Coach

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Want an easy way to promote your church from the inside?

Smile. Just smile. It’s free. And, visitors respond to this simple, free approach. Friendliness and enthusiasm go a long way in helping a ministry become an exciting place to be.

Bad experiences with rude people in churches run people off. Insiders at your church may sense the warmth of friendliness. Visitors, however, may not see that. They can only judge a church on the basis of what reaches them. They notice if people fail to acknowledge them, and no one even smiles at them. It doesn’t take much. Just a slight grin that says, “I’m glad you’re here today.”

Contrast a church with a business in town. At the business, employees smile and seem happy you’re in their store. They know customers expect polite and friendly service when they come to their store. What happens when someone doesn’t experience this? He will leave, thinking “I don’t know if I want to come back again.”

It’s hard for many people in a church to greet new people. That, however, makes no difference to a visitor. If members don’t smile at new people, the church feels like an unfriendly place to outsiders.

Teach all the leaders who work in your ministry to smile and be upbeat. Help members of your church learn to smile at others by setting an example. Show your smile and your enthusiasm. Smile at church and greet the visitors. Practice smiling in the mirror until you can do it naturally and comfortably.

So, go ahead. Smile. It’s free. Enthusiasm goes a long way in helping a ministry become an exiting place to be.

Action Point!

You’re action point can be stated in the words of the famous Mr. Roark of Fantasy Island , "Smiles everyone, Smiles!" There’s got to be enthusiasm! Look around your ministry and encourage the people that are a part of it to have enthusiasm, to have smiles, to let their teeth shine. Encourage them to share the joy that really they should have and share with the people around them.