Make Your First Impression Count!
The other day I drove past a new coffee shop in my town, and it instantly caught my attention. The exterior was clean, and the curb appeal demanded I walk inside. So I did. When I walked in, I first noticed the tall white ceilings, exposed duct work, and how bright the space was. I could tell what was important to them based on their signage and how they displayed their branding and products. The exposed brick on either side gave the building an always-been-here feel. Everything about it gave off clean, modern vibes yet embraced small-town charm.
But How’s the Coffee?
This coffee shop drew me in and made a positive first impression on me. My friend found out that I stopped in and asked me how the coffee was. “Not a clue,” I said, as we both laughed. The truth is, I would come back to sit at a table and work regardless of the quality of the latte. Just being in the room would make me feel productive. In fact, I have a meeting scheduled there on Monday!
Seven Minutes
Studies show that you have seven minutes to make an impression when someone comes by your church. Does the state of your building matter? Does how your space looks impact a first-time visitor’s experience? I believe that our church interiors can have the exact same effect on people as this coffee shop did on me. When you take an intentionally-designed, attractive space and then add the people of God who contain the life-giving hope of Jesus to it, that’s attractional! That sounds like a place I want to be.
You Might Miss Out
If you’ve ever used Zillow or a house-hunting app, you have surely seen photos of outdated, cluttered homes. Rarely do these homes make it to our favorites list. Why? We assume there are issues with the house if it hasn’t been updated in 20 years and has stuff shoved in every corner. It’s pretty unlikely that you will make an appointment to view it. Because of that, you might miss out on a house with good bones sitting on a gorgeous piece of property. But, you’d never know because your first impression eliminated it as an option.
First Impressions Lead to Assumptions
For better or worse, first impressions lead to assumptions. When we walk into a new place, our brain uses all of our senses to draw instant conclusions. We assess the brightness, the colors, the scent, the atmosphere, the temperature, and the overall feel that the environment gives us, and as we process that information, we make subconscious assumptions about that place according to our own biases and filters. This is the case with our church buildings, too.
We can have intentional discipleship, powerful services, and well-planned, Spirit-led programs for every age and demographic, and yet people can walk through our doors and instantly make judgments about who we are because the lobby is a turn-off or the kids' space isn't up to date. This is a tragedy.
Make It Count
If a person hates the color orange and orange happens to be a key color in your branding, that’s out of our control. Likewise, if someone happens to be partial to farmhouse style and your building is more modern, that’s out of our control, too. However, it is in our power to create fresh environments within our church that communicate who you are and what you believe. These spaces should allow people to connect, find out more information, and be inspired before they even hear a sermon.
You have seven minutes to make a first impression. Make it count!
READY TO MAKE A BETTER FIRST IMPRESSION?
