{"id":723965,"date":"2020-10-22T02:00:10","date_gmt":"2020-10-22T06:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/churchanswers.com\/?p=723965"},"modified":"2020-10-19T16:07:07","modified_gmt":"2020-10-19T20:07:07","slug":"5-new-realities-of-first-impressions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/churchanswers.com\/blog\/5-new-realities-of-first-impressions\/","title":{"rendered":"5 New Realities of First Impressions"},"content":{"rendered":"

There have been a lot of reinvented wheels in 2020. From working at home to masking up to providing a virtual option for nearly <\/span>everything<\/span><\/i>, we\u2019ve all had to rethink those things that come naturally to us.<\/span><\/p>\n

As churches begin to regather in person, our guest services and hospitality teams will have to undergo some of the most radical reinventions.<\/span> Handshakes, hugs, and high fives are gone for a while.<\/b> Up-close-and-personal conversations are frowned upon. And that time set aside to turn and greet your neighbor during the service? Yeah, roughly half of your people hated that well before COVID. <\/span>Maybe it\u2019s time to just let that one go.<\/b><\/p>\n

So how do we welcome guests in the age of social distancing? I think there are at least five things to think about:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Know the plan and follow the plan.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If your church has a COVID response plan or reopening protocols, you and your team should know and follow those.<\/span> It will be frustrating to your guests if they read one thing on the website, but see something else enforced.<\/b> Make sure that you are aligned on talking points, rules, and what to do in the case of a tough conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. Be hospitable to every guest (and their accompanying perspective).<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Some first-time guests are hungry to be around people. Their desire for relationships may override their fear of the pandemic. Other guests are going to be fearful of gathering with a large crowd – if they show up at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

      As hospitality directors, <\/span>we have to be aware of all sides and respond accordingly.<\/b> We shouldn\u2019t shame people for being fearful or give them the side eye for being overly confident. They\u2019re our honored guests, and we should treat them as such.<\/span><\/p>\n

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      1. Re-train and de-train your volunteers.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        I have a lady on our team who is a championship hugger. If hugging were an Olympic sport, she\u2019d be Michael Phelps. She – and others like her – are going to be among those who will have difficulty returning to their normal volunteer role. Taking away her hugs will be like clipping a bird\u2019s wings.<\/span><\/p>\n

        You have huggers and hand-shakers too, but it\u2019s important that they know the big win and follow the larger plan. <\/b>Help them to be aware of varying fears and perspectives. Encourage them to scale back on physical touch for a while. And coach them on how to lead by example in following the rules of reopening.<\/span><\/p>\n

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        1. Go as touch-free as possible.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Think through every moment of your guest\u2019s experience from the time they pull up in the parking lot to the time they leave. <\/span>What are the tactile interactions they\u2019d normally have, and how should you rethink those? <\/b>Some examples:<\/span><\/p>\n