Top Ten Reasons Vistors don't come back?

[Adrift]

And I agree with you. Except that in this particular church, when the sermon is over, (promptly at noon, or else), the whole congregation would proceed down the stairs to the basement for coffee and treats. Lots of fellowshipping and visiting, etc.

When that is in place, then extra greeting within the service is not necessary and can be disruptive.

Yeah, that makes sense.

[phat8594]

Thom Rainer at thomrainer.com recently published a survey of the Top Ten Ways Churches Drive away guests I admit I could have guessed several of these, but like Thom, I would have never guessed the number one response...how about You? Are there better ways to handle that and still have it? Any other thoughts on what might keep them from coming back?

Wow...that's really surprising! In fact, our church puts a whole 60 seconds up to go out and meet people. Granted, one thing I was shocked at, originally, was how members in the church genuinely came up and introduced themselves. People being genuinely friendly was something I inititally loved about our church...and something that seems to be missing a lot in California, where people tend to be more standoffish

[Littlejoe]

Wow...that's really surprising! In fact, our church puts a whole 60 seconds up to go out and meet people. Granted, one thing I was shocked at, originally, was how members in the church genuinely came up and introduced themselves. People being genuinely friendly was something I inititally loved about our church...and something that seems to be missing a lot in California, where people tend to be more standoffish

We actually put up 90 seconds! I generally try to find someone I don't know well or that is new...and try to make a connection instead of just making the rounds and shaking as many hands as I can. That seem to be some peoples thing...

[Littlejoe]

Seems like #1 and #2 are in conflict. You can't please everyone all the time.

I think greeting people is one of the nice things in church. The friendliness of the members is why I started going to the church I go to, even though it is a "megachurch"

When I first went there, not only was I greeted at the door, but the greeter could tell by my confused look I was a newbie, and he introduced himself and actually walked me to the auditorium, found me a seat and sat with me during the service. And he took it upon himself to introduce me to others. I felt wanted and good about the people there and I came back again and again.

The only time I was ever at a church that I couldn't wait to leave was at my brother's church, where he had an old time screaming baptist preacher (since replaced) who, during Christmas service was preaching hellfire and calling everyone sinners and screaming at the top of his lungs. I was already a Christian at that point but even I couldn't take the guilt trip he was spewing forth. Especially at Christmas.

We actually have two lines of greeters, the front people at the door to the outside and us Ushers at the interior door to the Sanctuary. I always make it a point to smile, shake hands and greet people as the come in. To be available to seat someone or help them find someone that they know (if that's the case).

[One Bad Pig]

Yeah, by our "Western Protestant" standards, you folks are "different"

In the beauty of a normal Orthodox Cathedral, I guess a Projector screen would be too jarring? We project everything on our projection screens, announcements, songs, bible verses etc...

Yeah, that would be odd. And in most Orthodox traditions, singing along with the choir is viewed as rather optional (except for the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the pre-communion prayer). My diocese is unusual in that it has a tradition of congregational singing; my parish doesn't even have a choir (I'm one of three cantors).

Yeah, not much you can do about that...you guys are very "ethnic" oriented I guess?

Yeah, some traditions more than others. My parish is unusually diverse, since it's the only Orthodox church in the area.

BTW, My middle son is dating a girl who's family is Orthodox. He has been to their church a few times and reported that he liked it quite a bit! But in the last year, neither he or his girlfriend have gone and he told me recently he had moved from theist to mostly agnostic...

Yeah, that is sad.

[One Bad Pig]

Are most Orthodox churches proactively evangelical?

Generally, no.

I'd imagine that, generally speaking, most new members to an Orthodox church already have some idea of what they're getting into, whereas with many evangelical Protestant churches, you may have people just wandering in off the street.

There's really a wide range, from people who have studied extensively and are ready to convert right away to those who are unhappy with their present church and decide to check out that other church with the weird 3-bar cross in front. Bishop Timothy Ware wandered into an Orthodox service off the street.