First Step to a Vibrant Parish: Welcoming a Newcomer to Mass

October 25, 2018

Agenda

Session 1: Why We are Losing Ground (8:30 – 9:45)

BREAK

Session 2: Guest Perspectives (10:00 – 11:15)

LUNCH

Session 3: Welcoming a Newcomer To Mass - Hospitality

Best Practices (3:00 – 5:00)

WHY WE ARE LOSING GROUND

Session 1:

Key Learnings

Signs were non-existent or

not easy identified.

Guests were not always

sure of how to find things

like the main entrance,

restrooms, information

desk or the children &

youth ministry.

3Primary reasons

why guests don’t

return to churches

1.An unwelcoming and mediocre

experience

2. Not enough younger people in

attendance

3. Lack of ministries and faith

formation outside of weekly

services/Mass

Note: Our research indicates that very few

people wouldn’t return due to theological

differences.

Nationwide Catholic Survey

Survey fielded online from June 1 – June

19, 2017. 2,629 people responded.

Analysis

✓ Faith Perceptions team segmented

the research by relationship with the

Catholic Faith (e.g. Active, Lapsed,

Former, Convert, Never-Been, etc.)

✓ We also looked at demographic

breakouts including generation,

ethnicity, etc.

GoalUnderstand the thoughts

and perspectives of

active, lapsed, former,

and never-been Catholics

about the Catholic

Church.

Survey Respondent Profile

45.2Average Age

77%Female

23%Male

93%Believe in

God or

Higher

Power

Source: Catholic Survey 2017, All Respondents, n =2629

Ethnicities

80%Caucasian

9%African American

5%Hispanic

1%Asian

3%Multi-Racial

2%Other

71Catholic

Converts

474“Cradle”

Catholics

Survey Respondent Religious Background

+1,027Catholics (Current +

Former)

1,665Never Been

Catholics

Respondent

48Non-Christian

Religions

1,193Other Christians

424SBNR / Non-

Believers/Unsure/

Other

232Lapsed

Catholics

313Active

Catholics

482Former

Catholics

Source: Catholic Survey 2017, All Respondents, n =2629

Currently Catholic

VIEWS OF CATHOLICISMBY SEGMENT

All Respondents

Describing Catholicism (Top 5 Descriptors)

Source: Catholic Survey 2017, All Respondents, n =2629

Q. What three words would you use to describe the Catholic denomination?

Active

Catholics

Lapsed

Catholics

Former

Catholics

Never Been

Catholic

Cradle

CatholicsConverts

Traditional

43.5%

Traditional

49.6%

Ritualistic

33.8%

Ritualistic

41.9%

Traditional

46.8%

Traditional

40.8%

Spiritual

27.2%

Stuck in their ways

22.8%

Stuck in their ways

27.6%

Traditional

33.5%

Spiritual

21.5%

Beautiful

35.2%

Authentic

25.6%

Ritualistic

21.1%

Traditional

27.0%

Religious

22.0%

Ritualistic

16.5%

Spiritual

25.4%

Beautiful

20.8%

Judgmental

21.1%

Judgmental

26.3%

Rigid

17.7%

Authentic

15.8%

Reverent

19.7%

Reverent

18.8%

Religious

16.8%

Hypocritical

25.7%

Stuck in their ways

17.0%

Religious

14.8%

Authentic

19.7%

KEEPING THE FAITH

Currently Catholic

82% of lapsed Catholics see themselves as

“culturally Catholic” simply because they were

born into the faith.

Only 30% of active Catholics remain in the church

because they believe it is the one true church.

32% of lapsed Catholics

say they don’t need to

go to Mass to connect

with God.

They are “Spiritual, but

not religious.”

THE DECISION TO LEAVE THE FAITH

Former Catholics

80% of former

Catholics leave the

faith by age 22.

40% said they left the Catholic

church because of its beliefs

and teachings.

The remainder left for reasons

other than theology.

Where do former

Catholics go?

24% “Spiritual but not

religious”

55% to another non-

Catholic Christian

religion and, of those,

30% attend non-

denominational services.

1/3 of former Catholics won’t

come back, mostly due to

our beliefs and teachings.

20% would consider coming

back if we:

• Change our worship style

• Attract young people

• Become more welcoming

• Provide more opportunities to

grow in their faith

1/3 of former Catholics won’t

come back, mostly due to

our beliefs and teachings.

20% would consider coming

back if we:

• Change our worship style

• Attract young people

• Become more welcoming

• Provide more opportunities to

grow in their faith

THE DECISION TO EMBRACE CATHOLICISM

Never-Been Catholic

66%ATTENDEDCatholic Mass

“Never-Been’s” Exposure to Catholicism

Source: Catholic Survey 2017, Never-Been-Catholic Respondents, n = 1665

Q. Have you ever attended a Catholic mass (Except for a wedding or funeral)? [Never-been Catholic]

23%CONSIDEREDBecoming Catholic

Source: Catholic Survey 2017, Never-Been-Catholic Respondents Reporting Knowledgeable, n = 1275

Knowledgeable and Considered Catholicism

Q. Have you ever considered becoming Catholic? [Never-been Catholic]

Never-Been’s Taking Communion

32.1%

67.9%

Q. Did you receive communion (bread and wine) during Mass?

Yes No

Source: Catholic Survey 2017, Never-Been-Catholic Respondents Attended Mass, n = 1099

What is preventing

conversion to Catholicism?

69% disagree with

teachings/beliefs

46% don’t feel connected

to the faith

Top Five Barriers to Catholicism:

1. Disagree with the beliefs/teachings (39%)

2. Found a faith they connect with more (32%)

3. Think females should be ordained

priests/deacons (28%)

4. Stance on birth control (28%)

5. Handling of controversy/scandals (24%)

FINDING A SPIRITUAL HOME

All Respondents

Visiting a New ChurchQ. When visiting a church, what helps you feel most welcome?

31.6%

23.6%

35.3%

13.8%

24.7%

17.6%

22.2%24.3%

Easily follow along with the service Being greeted/acknowledged by others

Active Catholics Lapsed Catholics Former Catholics Never Been Catholic

Source: Catholic Survey 2017, All Respondents, n =2629, *Statistically significant difference

**

GUEST PERSPECTIVES

Session 2:

10,000+Total Christian Church

Services Nationwide

By the Numbers…

100+Catholic Churches Nationwide

The Survey

Website

Signage/Parking

Greeting/Friendliness

Seating/Music

Worship/Homily

Resources/Information

Church Environments

Children/Youth Ministry

Outreach/Follow-up

Return/Overall

Our Methodology

Mystery Guest Report

✓ 16 different individuals visited and

attended Mass at St. Vincent de Paul

in Cape Girardeau during the period

of November 25, 2017– April 8, 2018

and provided feedback on their

experience.

✓ Top four most attended Masses

received mystery guests.

St. Vincent

de Paul in

Cape

Girardeau

Source: St. Vincent Mystery Guest Report 2018, n = 16

Genders

11Female

5Male

39Years Old

Religious

Beliefs

Average

Age

Hispanic = 2

African American = 1

White = 13

Protestant = 12/16

Current/Formerly Catholic = 4/16

Believe in God = 13/16

Churched vs.

Unchurched

Status

Brought Kids = 6/16

12/16Unchurched

Ethnicities

About the 16 Mystery Guests

Overall Top Learnings

Strengths to Leverage

✓ Building and Campus

✓ Faith Formation Opportunities

✓ Events and activities within the church

✓ 7:30 a.m. Mass

Opportunities for Improvement

✓ Develop a Clear and Concise Hospitality Process

✓ Provide Vision and Training for Volunteers

✓ Develop Signage & Guest-Friendly Resources and Information

✓ Create Guest Awareness and Outreach Opportunities

Return Factors

0Out of 16

Likely to Return

Feeling unwelcome was the most common reason for not returning.

Other factors were the style of the Mass being so traditional, a lack of understanding of the Mass, and a desire for more ministry for younger kids during Mass.

The unwelcoming feeling before the service and the lack of signage for simple things like finding the bulletins would keep me from going back but if they could add some elements into the service to make us understand what you are doing, then I would definitely consider going back.

“

St. Vincent’s Strategy

1. Retreat

– Identify 25 parish leaders who represent

various areas in the church and share the

National Catholic Survey results as well as

the Mystery Guest Report to build

awareness and a sense of urgency.

2. Book Study

– Read Rebuilt by White and Corcoran and

study a few chapters at a time over five

sessions.

3. Vision Casting

– Half day session to determine the future

vision, how best to get the entire parish

involved, and plan next steps.

Goal: To

become the

most vibrant

parish in the

Diocese

WELCOMING A NEWCOMER TO MASS -HOSPITALITY BEST PRACTICES

Session 3:

The New Front Door to Your Church

Website Specific:

✓ Modern/visually appealing website

✓ Guest Friendly/Easy to Navigate

✓ Mobile-friendly design

“I’m New” Page to Include:

✓ Welcome message

✓ Information on Catholicism

✓ What to expect (dress, parking,

Mass, Communion, etc.)

✓ Printable worship aids

✓ Mass times

✓ Nursery and children liturgy

✓ Welcome Center

✓ Next steps

Arrival

Strategy

Pre-Mass

Strategy

Friendly Patrol

engaging guests

Parking

Ministry

Exterior &

Interior

Signage

Trained

Greeters

at each

entrance

Provide a

Welcome

Gift/Packet

WelcomeWelcome

Center

BEFORE Mass Experience

Distribute

Worship

Aids

Worship

Aids given

out by

greeters

Guest Friendly Worship Aid

Guest CardWelcome to Saint Bede

• Restrooms (location)

• Families (Toddler Nursery,

Busy Bags, Family

Worship Guide).

• Welcome Center

• Connect Card

Unfamiliar with the

Catholic Faith?

• Worship Aid

• Communion

• Common FAQs about

Mass

DURING Mass Experience

During-Mass

Strategy

Connect

Formal

Welcome

to Guests

Encourage guests

to complete a

Connect Card

Mention

Worship Aids

are in the

pews

Invite to

post-

Mass

fellowship

Opportunity to Connect

Saint Bede Catholic Church

Sample Connect CardName:

Address:

Email:

Phone:

❑ I am a member of this church.

❑ I’m visiting from out of town.

❑ This is my first time visiting.

❑ I have visited before, but never filled out this card.

I would like to know more:

❑ I have questions about faith and would like to talk.

❑ I am Catholic and would like to renew my commitment.

❑ I would like to learn more about Saint Bede.

❑ I’m interested in knowing more about faith formation opportunities.

❑ I would like to learn more about what you offer for children and youth.

❑ I am interested in joining the parish.

AFTER Mass Experience

Post-Mass

Strategy

Follow-up ✓ 36 hours

✓ Via mail (by

following

Friday)

✓ 1 Month after

1st visit

Thank

Guests

Welcome Center

& Friendly Patrol

volunteers

engaging guests

Welcome

Message in

Bulletin/Next

Steps

Arrival

Strategy

Pre-Mass

Strategy

Friendly Patrol

engaging guests

Parking

Ministry

Exterior &

Interior

Signage

Trained

Greeters

at each

entranceProvide a

Welcome

Gift/Packet

WelcomeWelcome

Center

Distribute

Worship

Aids

Worship Aids

given out by

greeters

During-Mass

Strategy

Connect

Formal

Welcome

to Guests

Encourage

guests to

complete a

Connect Card

Mention

Worship Aids

in the pews

Invite to

post-

Mass

fellowship

Welcoming Process

Post-Mass

Strategy

Welcome Center

& Friendly Patrol

volunteers

engaging guests

Follow-up ✓ 36 hours

✓ Via mail (by

following

Friday)

✓ 1 Month after

1st visit

Thank

Guests

Welcome

Message in

Bulletin/Next

Steps

Benefits of a Welcoming Church

Increase in

Returning

Visitors

Family

Oriented

Purpose

Driven Parish

More

Informed

Visitors

Welcome

Hi!

Steps to Creating a Welcoming Experience

✓ Designate someone to lead and recruit

volunteers to serve on your first impressions

teams (Parking Ministry, Greeters, Ushers,

Welcome Center, Friendly Patrol)

✓ Develop ministry descriptions (mission &

vision) for each team.

✓ Provide Group Training - (Rebuilt and

Fusion).

✓ Create a hospitality plan that takes guests

from first-time guest to engaged member

Melanie SmollenPresident

Jennifer HendricksonCEO

Connect with Us

melanie@faithperceptions.com

FaithPerceptions.com

573.335.1782

FaithPerceptions.comFaithPerceptions.com/dioscg

“If someone visits and comes back, we get to ask them why…if they visit and don’t come back – we never get the chance to find out why – that’s why we need Faith Perceptions.” – Church Pastor