Mother’s Day is the third most attended Church day in the U.S., just behind Christmas and Easter.

You have likely noticed that among your church attendance figures.

As you plan for this year’s celebration of Mother’s Day at your church, here are 7 things you can do to prepare your church beforehand.

1. Bathroom Sniff Test.

Yes, I’m serious.

Ever been blown over by that uniquely powerful smell?

You know what I mean.  What is the first room you clean in your own home when company is coming?

I rest my case.

Is your church bathroom up to “company standards?”

Put some nice de-odorizers in there.

2. Church Greeters.

Remember your first day in a church?

Unless you were born into church and going your entire life, you were probably nervous your first day and filled with questions.

A common practice in US churches is having church greeters at the church doors to at least give a hello and a friendly smile, wave, or greeting.

Some churches have a few volunteers they call welcomers or hosts who are available to engage visitors in conversation after the door greeters say hello.

See also Church Greeter Training videos.

3. Real Coffee, with Real Cream.

Most churches will offer some kind of reception after the service.

Use good coffee and provide some real cream or dairy-free alternatives.

That powdered milk substitute just doesn’t work.

See Tip #9 in 10 Practices to Welcome Church Visitors for more thoughts.

4. Cast a Vision for Welcoming Visitors.

One killer to your hospitality ministry is when the congregation is not as friendly as your hospitality team.

I have experienced professional greeters at the door and welcome center that gave a great first impression, but chilly experiences from church members inside the sanctuary.

In other words, I was welcomed only by the “professionals.”

Pastors, refresh a vision for welcoming visitors so that your congregation doesn’t create a cultural mismatch with your hospitality ministry.

5.  Clean Up the Junk Room.

Most churches may have a “junk room” where stuff accumulates that doesn’t have a home.

That could be a coat closet, classroom, or even a corner in a public space.

Clean it up.

See Church Hospitality Survey Assessment to download an audit tool for free.

6.  “Visit” your own church.

Commission a few wise souls to observe your Sunday morning processes before Mother’s Day.

Examine the quality of greeting, the ways people’s faces look, the mood that seems present from the time the first worshipers arrive, and what your church probably feels like to a visitor.

Do a thorough inventory of how your church presents itself to a visitor.   A critical analysis and review will help your greeters and team get a good idea of what needs to be addressed.

7.  Your Church Website

Many people will use the Internet to find a church nearby or to find out about a church they have been invited to.

• Does your home page announce your Mother’s Day services?
• Does the home page of your site give clear directions?
• Does it provide easy-to-find contact information for staff and church leaders?  Does it show pictures of people, not just buildings?

See the website category for more ideas.

More ideas

For more ideas on preparing your church for mother’s day, buy a copy of How To Welcome Church Visitors.

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