First Impressions: Creating Wow Experiences in Your Church [Paperback]

Mark L. Waltz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2004

Before a service even begins, first-time guests usually decide whether they'll return to your church. This means church leaders need to create no-fail; practical ways to ensure a visitor's first impression is the best impression. Author Mark Waltz shares the strategies that work in his church--and takes greeting to a whole new level.

When guests feel valued, they will return. And when they do, they'll have the opportunity to experience Jesus' love. Let visitors know You matter to God, so you matter to us.

Adapt these practical ideas to your church's unique setting, and it won't be long before everyone feels welcome:
Learn how to create a church that's welcoming to guests with strategies on: developing senior leadership
traffic flow
the walk to the door
to shake hands or not?
directional signs or people?
Address the philosophy, strategy and implementation of a ministry that welcomes first-time and returning guests.
Gain sure-fire, practical ways to make the first impression the best impression.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Group Publishing (December 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764427571
• ISBN-13: 978-0764427572
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Church Leadership > Church Materials
  • #69 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Worship & Devotion > Rites & Ceremonies

More About the Author

Mark Waltz is a unifying force at Granger Community Church where as pastor of connections, he oversees adult relational connections, including groups, guest services and volunteer strategies. Mark's book, First Impressions: Creating Wow Experiences in Your Church, addresses the issues of guest attendance growth and volunteer development, offering strategies for making high-impact first impressions. His new book, Lasting Impressions, picks up where First Impressions leaves off. How do you help visitors to your church find a place of genuine belonging?

Mark's ministry expertise is complemented by his marketplace experience, which includes retail management, employment training and recruitment. These combined experiences make Mark a sought-after trainer and consultant for churches desiring to improve their serve to their guests. Mark has occasionally tailored his presentations to address guest relations in the private sector where relationships are the bottom-line to success.

His priorities before pastoring, writing or training are his wife of 27 years, Laura and their daughter, Olivia. A trip to the mall, a night at the movies, or a week at the beach are a few of the favorite pastimes Mark enjoys with them.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Landmark Book for Churches, February 6, 2005

By 

Tim Stevens - See all my reviews

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This review is from: First Impressions: Creating Wow Experiences in Your Church (Paperback)

Mark Waltz takes common sense "customer service" principles and applies them seamlessly to the church. This book will serve as a great "aha" for many churches as they discover what it means to really value the new people who come through their doors. And, by doing so, the number of new people will multiply. Mark's experience both in the business world, and in one of the fastest growing churches in the country, shines through each chapter. It is full of illustrations and is easy to read. Highly recommended.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful addition to the church leadership library..., June 19, 2006

By 

Chad Oberholtzer (Boalsburg, PA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: First Impressions: Creating Wow Experiences in Your Church (Paperback)

Mark Waltz has done church leaders a favor by writing this engaging and insightful book. There are a number of good books written for businesses and marketplace leaders about how to deal with customers. However, most church leaders are uneasy when using words like "consumer" to speak about new church attenders. Waltz does a fantastic job of drawing out key customer satisfaction principles without losing the appropriate heart of the gospel. This book remains biblical to the core, yet manages to shake some of the old churchy ideas that have kept people from trying or returning to the church for many years.

I plan on using this book as a basic resource to guide my leadership of our First Impressions ministry teams. There are sections on print communications that will speak directly to some questions that our communications team is considering. There are a number of sections that will speak to our ushers and greeters.

The biggest asset of Waltz's work is that it is both inspirational and practical. It gives me more motivation to know that the small choices that we make from weekend to weekend have huge implications, while giving me a number of tools to help us do a better job of allowing people to worship in a comfortable, distraction-free environment. If we get this right, the outcome for the Kingdom will be awesome!!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource, March 9, 2006

By 

Dean J. Libby "pastor exploring the emerging ... (Flower Mound, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: First Impressions: Creating Wow Experiences in Your Church (Paperback)

This book gave me numerous ideas on how to improve, strengthen, and streamline the hospitality ministries at my church. The book has also inspired me to strive for the "WOW" for every new face that come to my church.