An “unforced error” is a term borrowed from sports, especially tennis, meaning a mistake made due to one’s own lapse rather than being forced by an opponent. In everyday language, it refers to an avoidable mistake or misstep, typically resulting from a lack of attention or care rather than external pressure.
Church leaders make unforced errors. In fact, they are far more common than they need to be. Though a list of eight is far from exhaustive, it will give you an idea how we could improve our churches with just minimal effort and cost.
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- The time of worship services on the website is not correct. This unforced error tends to take place when a church makes a change in the time of the worship service, whether temporary or permanent. This past Easter a church in the panhandle of Florida changed its service time from 10:30 am to 10:00 am, but they did not make the change on the website. Guests who got the time from the website were met with a large sign in the front of the church that read, “Easter Services at 10:00 AM.” Unfortunately, they showed up at 10:15 or 10:20. They all left.
- Failure to have a parking lot greeter. The parking lot greeter does more than welcome people. That person keeps an eye on available parking spots. Do you know that most churches have more-than-adequate parking, but the guests don’t know where all the parking spots are? I have conducted many church consultations where I watched guests leave when they didn’t see an immediately available parking spot.
- The holy huddle. This error is one of the most frequent and one of the most egregious. Greeters have the role of welcoming people, but they often get into conversations among themselves as people pass by. “Holy huddle” is a misnomer, though. It should be called the cliquish huddle.
- Zero invitations. Almost eight out of ten unchurched persons will accept an invitation and come to church if you invite them and walk with them into the church facility. It’s simple and highly effective. But only one out of four churches have any type of encouragement or program to invite people. Check out the program called “Invite Your One” if you want an organized plan to invite people.
- Failure to remind people about digital giving. Digital giving is a major reason many churches are experiencing greater ongoing giving. Those members who give recurrently and digitally have become the core of church giving. The unforced error is that many churches fail to remind members, especially newer members, about this option.
- Failure to have a secret guest. It is incredibly easy to recruit a secret guest at least once a year. We have a free secret guest survey that was designed for this very purpose. Fresh eyes are essential to see our church the way those who are visiting us see it.
- Lack of guest-friendly signage and markers. Church members don’t need clear signage and markers because they know where to go. First-time guests need clear and well-placed signage. Most churches also need clear markers, such as signage or a welcome tent, to point to the entrances of the church.
- No focus on clean and well-supplied restrooms. Stores along interstates and other well-travel roads know that a clean restroom will attract customers. Unfortunately, churches do not think about the need to have well-maintained restrooms for both guests and members alike.
All eight of these unforced errors can be remedied easily. In fact, you could get a volunteer for each error. One person can make a big difference.
For many leaders, these issues may seem trite and mundane.
For many guests, it can be a determinative factor if they show up or return.
