Four Ways to Decide if You Should Come Back After Easter.

by Reba Collins

You might think that a heavy visitor day – Easter – would not be a good time for you to read the demographic make-up of a church group. It seems like a tough time to get a good picture of what “normal” is for them. But, I’ve found the opposite to be true.

Just by observing the environment, the people, and their behavior, you can separate the visitors from the regulars. Then you can listen to and watch how the regulars act, even with their guests. Here are a few ways to sort the herd…

1. To pick up on an aging group, for example, look for a less-than-dynamic children’s area. You’ll also see many multi-generational families with small children and slightly distressed parents in the worship service.  
2. A struggling, unhealthy group doesn’t have many visitors at all. When you visit, notice people looking for visual clues about where to go and what to do. If everyone knows the drill without even looking, that’s not a visitor-friendly sign.
3. A stagnant multi-generational group doesn’t see the need for genuine introductions. Greetings abound, but “new-to-them” introductions extend only to the out-of-town in-laws. Also, for this clubby type church, every generation has their place. Kids and adults gravitate to their respective areas without prompting.
4. A vibrant, healthy group is multi-generational and multi-layered in both visitors and members. So arrive early and watch what happens to get a more accurate read on whom you would be spending time with after the celebration.   

The bottom line is that this time of the year may not give you a good idea of everything you could expect on a regular basis, but it gives you enough to know whether or not you want to come back. Do a little people-watching and you can get a good read on the normal lifestyle of a church community.