Does your church’s ‘face’ look welcomingly open or closed?
If a stranger were driving past your church, would it be noticed at all? What would the initial impression be? Would there be signs of neglect or of loving care? Does it look a dead frontage or somehow alive? Is the main notice board bold and uncluttered and at a 45 to 80 degree angle to the road so that motorists can read it at a glance? Apart from naming the Church the only wording needs to be: SERVICE HERE EVERY SUNDAY AT 9.30 am ALL WELCOME. (Good example: Duddon Parish Church, Cheshire). Another board can carry the name of the Church, a contact telephone number/website unless these are included on the main board, leaving plenty of space to read the main welcome and time legend. Are the hedges trimmed? Are there colourful bedding plants or hanging baskets? Does the front door sometimes stand ajar (while a steward is present for security) or does the door have a glass panel to glimpse the interior of the church? Are the notices re local events (not all ‘churchy’) up to date and representing a community involvement and awareness