So many non-members would be more willing to check out a church meeting on the holidays (and it’s a easier “sell” too) than other days. Plus it helps the PR that we are in fact a Christian Church.

No one is suggesting we deceive a visitor with a “big day,” that’s ridiculous. The point is to create a good first impression by making sure that the topic is relevant. It’s not like we bringing in a band and catering on the “big day.” What, you think first impressions make no difference?

ed: I am not sure it is deceptive. It is merely making an effort to think about the ways the Church (through its structure) might create unintended barriers to how people respond to the Church. Then it is an effort to remove as many of these as possible.

I agree that there does not need to be a complete reformulation of Church but just approach it through how someone else experiences their first experience.

In the same way, I would never invite someone to a Fast and Testimony meeting for someone’s first week, because it is an experience familiar to Mormons but not to non-Mormons. I don’t think this is deceptive.

Rico: WE do welcoming during priesthood/relief society in our ward (and most wards I’ve been in) this evangelical welcoming obviously impressed you. What made it more impactful than ours.

ed: It is not deception, as I am not at all suggesting we change the routine of church. (Though Rico did propose such, but his alternative was to explain the basic routine.). I think it is just a matter of a ward deciding to put all it’s best people to speak on a single sunday, assigned to topics they are known to have a talent in and skill for. Perhaps this should be done every sunday, but I think it is not sustainable to demand “top talent” every sunday from a volunteer church.

#10 – I attended a Evangelical meeting the other week, the asked people to stand if you had not been there before and then invited the congregation to welcome you. I was reaching over rows to shake peoples hands (i felt a little uncomfortable but it felt good). They also gave a small package with a dvd, a thank you card and a feedback form with other information about different services. They then emailed me and and sent me a letter thanking me for attending. Other Churches do a much better job of this kind of thing.

However, in my experience or Church structure invites a different type of response from attendees. Most other Churches you just sit in the hall and then it ends. We move between classes and invite response. Moreover, the lay clergy means we are all really busy and this presents new challenges with trying to help people feel welcome and comfortable.