-First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering?

-First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (Full Version)

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[Poll]

Mr. Mrs. Miss

6% (21)

Name

7% (26)

Address

6% (21)

Phone

4% (15)

Cell phone

1% (4)

E-mail address

4% (14)

First time visitor?

6% (22)

New Resident?

5% (17)

Returning visitor?

5% (18)

Would like a visit?

4% (15)

Prayer request?

4% (14)

Would like to know more about this church?

5% (17)

Would like to know more about being a Christian?

3% (11)

Guest of:

4% (14)

Class or service attended

2% (7)

How did you hear about us?

4% (14)

Do you attend church regularly?

3% (12)

What church?

3% (11)

Age

1% (6)

Age group (13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+)

4% (16)

Marital status (single, married, divorced, widowed)

4% (16)

Children's names (4 lines)

1% (6)

Children's names (6 lines)

1% (5)

Children's ages

2% (10)

I don't fill out first time attender cards

0% (2)

Other

0% (1)

Total Votes : 335

(last vote on : 4/28/2008 2:53:32 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )

Message

Consecrated2God -> -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/25/2008 11:05:15 AM)
My husband is working on a first time attender form for our church, and he was asking for my opinion on what kind of questions to ask. I thought I'd get some feedback here on what kinds of questions you would feel comfortable answering on a form like that. We don't want to overwhelm people or have people feel that we were invading their privacy by asking too many personal questions, but we want to ask enough questions to have an idea of who our guests are. I've included in the poll all the questions that are on the two different cards we've used in the past, plus the ones my husband put on his sample one he wanted me to look at. Please vote for the ones that you wouldn't have a problem with filling out. If there is a question that you would be uncomfortable answering, please post why you would not like it, and also what your reaction would be to being asked that. Would you be offended and not come back? Just leave it blank and let it go? Or would you answer it anyway, even if it made you uncomfortable? Are there some that you just feel are unnecessary?

JimboFletch -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/25/2008 12:12:08 PM)
My favorite is: Would like a visit? Our deacons go out on Sunday afternoons to talk with visitors from the morning services and leave them information. Even though I love my church, I never have liked unplanned guests showing up at my house on Sunday afternoon.

Consecrated2God -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/25/2008 1:31:10 PM)
quote: Even though I love my church, I never have liked unplanned guests showing up at my house on Sunday afternoon. I'm with you there! I'm usually taking a nap on Sunday afternoon.

2shaye -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/25/2008 4:58:02 PM)
For me, I think my age and my kids ages are something that I would choose to convey at a later time, or in person. I think you need to determine what exactly you are wanting from this information. I know for my church, we are interested in where they heard about us. We will speak to them, so their ages and their kids will naturally become apparent. I like the idea of asking for prayer. I think it makes the guest feel like the church cares about them - on the inside - and are not just trying to collect addresses for their mailed propaganda.

jn1010lf -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/25/2008 6:13:06 PM)
I don't like first time attender forms. If a church preaches the word and the Lord leads people there, one does not need forms.

pbaribeault -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/25/2008 6:59:15 PM)
I think there should be as few questions as possible, just enough to get in touch with them, if they give you permission to get in touch. Statistics can be interesting from a ministry perspective, but nobody likes the feeling that they are being added to a database so someone else can count them up and analyze trends. Anything you want to know, you can ask them later, in person, as a friend. The card should feel like, "What can we do to make better friends with you" not like "State your name, rank and serial number for our records" Asking about family names can be touchy territory. You might consider something like just leaving a few lines for "Names" and letting them decide what to put, and then "Do you want us to get in touch with you, visit you or pray for you?" and "How would you like us to do that? / Prayer requests" with quite a few lines, then maybe "anything to add?" and another few lines. That's the kind of card I'd be comfortable with.

2shaye -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/25/2008 10:23:54 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: pbaribeault Anything you want to know, you can ask them later, in person, as a friend. The card should feel like, "What can we do to make better friends with you" not like "State your name, rank and serial number for our records" I really agree with this!

WhiteRoseBlessings -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/26/2008 8:57:54 AM)
I don't particularly like first-time attender forms. I especially don't like that such emphasis is placed on filling them out. I think it would be better to make a simple mention of the forms and then have them in the back of the church should one choose to complete one, instead of making it seem like an almost mandatory thing. Having said that, sometimes I will submit one; sometimes not. If I do submit one, it will contain my first name (and sometimes but not all the time, my last name). It may also have my email address. Ironically, a church has never contacted me via email though - specifically in the case of having my email address from a first-time attenders form; and even more ironically, that would be my preferred way of being contacted by someone at a church I visited. I don't list any other information other than my name and my email address. I've also learned not to write checks to churches that I visit, but to instead give cash. My contact information has been gleaned from my check; and I feel like that is going too far since I didn't actually give them my contact information on a form. Sometimes, I think some churches can loose sight of the fact that they're not a business. And Lisa - here's a bonus. [:)] I don't like it when so much emphasis is placed on greeting newcomers in the middle of the service. I have nothing wrong with a sign of Peace or a sincere welcome from someone in my immediate vicinity . . . but when it takes 5 minutes and the visitors are almost showcased, that's more than a bit uncomfortable. Where I live now, there also seems to be a very strange trend in, instead of asking the visitors to be seated (and then everyone goes and find them - which I don't particularly care for), many churches around here tell the members to be seated and the visitors to remaining standing. Then the minister welcomes the visitors and such (but all the while, it is very uncomfortable to be spotlighted in such a way) and then tells the rest church to go throughout the church and welcome the people who are standing.

2shaye -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/26/2008 12:21:42 PM)
Wow. At my church we don't "showcase" the visitors. Because we are small, it is very obvious when someone is new. We do have a "turn and greet one another" time, and that's when we roam around saying hi. The visitors are always welcomed by several regulars.

JimboFletch -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/26/2008 12:33:32 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: 2shaye quote: ORIGINAL: pbaribeault Anything you want to know, you can ask them later, in person, as a friend. The card should feel like, "What can we do to make better friends with you" not like "State your name, rank and serial number for our records" I really agree with this! To be fair, the information can help steer appropriate teachers or ministers to contact a guest. If I had young children, I would welcome hearing from the Childrens Minister or the Youth Minister if they are older. If I were a senior adult, I'd like to know what opportunities are available for my age. Same if I were in my 20s, 30s, etc. The point of gathering information like this isn't to accumulate facts and figures, which serve no useful purpose. The point is to give appropriate information and introductions to the guest and their family. Even if the church is small, such information will help the pastor minister effectively to the guests. But, then, I wouldn't feel threatened that a church I chose to visit wanted to get to know me better.

WhiteRoseBlessings -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/26/2008 12:57:08 PM)
I like to be greeted and feel welcomed. But I think that can often be done on a much less "grander" scale. If I found a church that I would want to attend, I would definitely be more forthcoming with my contact information and such; perhaps on one of my return visits. However, I don't see that it's necessary that every church I visit be privy to such stuff. This is actually something very new to me in these past few months. The churches that I have attended before welcomed newcomers; but it wasn't so "segregated" it was more of a everybody welcome everybody and no mention from the pulpit was made about newcomers (other than the minister saying his welcomes). People would find newcomers on their own and welcome them, without the newcomers being pointed out. I'm also not accustomed to first attender forms being handled the way they are where I live now. In other churches I've attended, mention of them were made and people were welcomed to complete them or not. It wasn't actually part of the church service.

JimboFletch -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/26/2008 2:15:37 PM)
In my church, the forms are included with the order of service/newsletter that everyone receives. The form serves a dual purpose. It asks for visitor information and is also used for prayer requests. People are welcome to fill in as much or as little as they choose.

Consecrated2God -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/26/2008 4:18:03 PM)
Thank you all for your input. It will be very helpful as we pray about the best way to go about this. quote: I think there should be as few questions as possible, just enough to get in touch with them, if they give you permission to get in touch. Statistics can be interesting from a ministry perspective, but nobody likes the feeling that they are being added to a database so someone else can count them up and analyze trends. What would you think about having a box to check if they want to be added to the mailing list? I know that's one reason why I may not in some cases fill out a form like that--I don't want to get on the mailing list. There have been a few times in the past when I've visited a church, but I was a member of another church and wasn't there because I was "checking it out." Maybe I went with a friend for a special event or something, but I didn't want to end up getting mail from them just because I went one time. quote: I don't like it when so much emphasis is placed on greeting newcomers in the middle of the service. I have nothing wrong with a sign of Peace or a sincere welcome from someone in my immediate vicinity . . . but when it takes 5 minutes and the visitors are almost showcased, that's more than a bit uncomfortable. Where I live now, there also seems to be a very strange trend in, instead of asking the visitors to be seated (and then everyone goes and find them - which I don't particularly care for), many churches around here tell the members to be seated and the visitors to remaining standing. Then the minister welcomes the visitors and such (but all the while, it is very uncomfortable to be spotlighted in such a way) and then tells the rest church to go throughout the church and welcome the people who are standing. I agree with you. That would be embarrasing. I've never been to a church that did that, but I wouldn't like it if they did. quote: To be fair, the information can help steer appropriate teachers or ministers to contact a guest. If I had young children, I would welcome hearing from the Childrens Minister or the Youth Minister if they are older. If I were a senior adult, I'd like to know what opportunities are available for my age. Same if I were in my 20s, 30s, etc. The point of gathering information like this isn't to accumulate facts and figures, which serve no useful purpose. The point is to give appropriate information and introductions to the guest and their family. Even if the church is small, such information will help the pastor minister effectively to the guests. But, then, I wouldn't feel threatened that a church I chose to visit wanted to get to know me better. I think you make a lot of good points. I guess the important thing is to think very carefully about why we are asking each bit of information and not just putting in blanks to fill up to take up space.

trainfan -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/26/2008 7:46:40 PM)
To answer the OP. I would leave a card blank unless everyone has to fill one out. Have you considered using a fellowship folder? I went to and have visited churches that used those. Everyone filled them out every service. That way the visitor did not feel singled out being the only one to fill out a card. It also was a way to track if people were not there so the pastor could contact them to find out if they were sick or on vacation if they missed a few weeks in a row.

gal-6-9 -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/27/2008 12:02:53 AM)
I personally would not fill out cell phone or email. You could use "preferred phone/email contact" to cover your bases there. Also, I wouldn't put the ages of my kids and/or names (one or the other most likely). I like the idea of "Please add me to the mailing list." For two reasons...1) It gives new people the option to be added to the list and 2) It gets rid of 100% liability to "know" everyone who is attending and magically have them on the mailing list (part of the responsibility is now shifted to the individual in the pew). I don't think there is a "perfect" way to address visitors and since each church has their own personality different things will work in different areas. What experience has shown us: people will fill out what they are comfortable with - and what they are not comfortable with, they will leave blank. (It is good, however, to stay away from questions that would be offensive in your particular situation if you can narrow them down.)

thomas2008 -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/27/2008 7:24:25 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God At my church we have little tear off sheets and what we have people do is fill them out and when we take up the tithes and offerings they put them into the plate. With this they basically fill out most of the requests that you've listed. If you like I'll find out what the company is that we get them from. This helps with attendance and finding out who first time visitors are.

WhiteRoseBlessings -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/27/2008 8:15:12 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God What would you think about having a box to check if they want to be added to the mailing list? I know that's one reason why I may not in some cases fill out a form like that--I don't want to get on the mailing list. There have been a few times in the past when I've visited a church, but I was a member of another church and wasn't there because I was "checking it out." Maybe I went with a friend for a special event or something, but I didn't want to end up getting mail from them just because I went one time. I'm not sure how I feel about this. It seems like a good idea; but also in my reasoning, if a person didn't want to be on someone's mailing list, they just simply would not supply their address in the first place.

kernsfamily -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/27/2008 9:55:45 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: 2shaye Wow. At my church we don't "showcase" the visitors. Because we are small, it is very obvious when someone is new. We do have a "turn and greet one another" time, and that's when we roam around saying hi. The visitors are always welcomed by several regulars. Good for you!....many churches of that size, that I have visited in the past, treat visitors as intruders.... With regards to "visitor forms"....Iam always hesitant to fill them out....because Iam never sure what they are going to do with the information I give them....not that I think they'll do illegal, but, be intrusive, constantly call, stop by unexpectedly....or, feel offended when we try to explain to them that, while we did visit there a few times, that their church just isn't the place for us (yes, that has happened a few times....very awkward)... As far as our church, we have a visitor form that detaches from the bulletin that everyone gets when they walk in....people can fill them out, if they want, and put them in the offering plate...... our church is really, really big....so, first time visitors aren't really "noticable", as there's no way to know EVERYONE

Consecrated2God -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/27/2008 10:22:00 AM)
quote: To answer the OP. I would leave a card blank unless everyone has to fill one out. Have you considered using a fellowship folder? I went to and have visited churches that used those. Everyone filled them out every service. That way the visitor did not feel singled out being the only one to fill out a card. It also was a way to track if people were not there so the pastor could contact them to find out if they were sick or on vacation if they missed a few weeks in a row. I'm familiar with what you are talking about, because the last church we were at used them, but they also used the first time attender forms. So if you were a FTA you would end up filling out the folder as it was passed around, and a FTA form. In that church there was a Care Team with clipboards with them, and they'd have FTA's raise their hands and then they'd bring them a clipboard so they could fill it out. quote: As far as our church, we have a visitor form that detaches from the bulletin that everyone gets when they walk in....people can fill them out, if they want, and put them in the offering plate...... Hmm, I kind like that idea. Do you know where you order those bulletins? Is it a perforated edge, I'm assuming?

kernsfamily -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/27/2008 10:33:00 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God quote: As far as our church, we have a visitor form that detaches from the bulletin that everyone gets when they walk in....people can fill them out, if they want, and put them in the offering plate...... Hmm, I kind like that idea. Do you know where you order those bulletins? Is it a perforated edge, I'm assuming? We have our own "in house" graphic design/communications department that designs and gets the bulletins printed, as well as all the other communications materials...so, we really don't "order" them.....(I am a designer, and looked into a position that was available there a while back...) ......but, yes, it's simply an approximately 1" - 1 1/2" strip on the edge of the bulletin that is perforated, and then you can easily tear it off....(I usually have a few in my briefcase to refer to for certain things, but today I don't....)

Consecrated2God -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/27/2008 10:35:27 AM)
quote: We have our own "in house" graphic design/communications department that designs and prints the bulletins and all the other communications materials...so, we really don't "order" them.....(I am a designer, and looked into a position that was available there a while back...) Oh, okay. Our church is much, much smaller than yours, so I'm not sure what kind of options we have in that department at this point.

kernsfamily -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/27/2008 10:36:28 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God quote: We have our own "in house" graphic design/communications department that designs and prints the bulletins and all the other communications materials...so, we really don't "order" them.....(I am a designer, and looked into a position that was available there a while back...) Oh, okay. Our church is much, much smaller than yours, so I'm not sure what kind of options we have in that department at this point. You might try Lifeway's website...or Mardel...perhaps they might have "shells" to use for bulletins....with one that is of similar design/function....

Consecrated2God -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/27/2008 10:38:56 AM)
Thanks for the tip. At this point I'm tempted to suggest that our FTA forms be blank, and they can make up and answer their own questions! Lol! [:D]

trainfan -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/27/2008 10:43:53 AM)
I wanted to reply to some of the other posts but didn't have time last night. I have spent a long time recently looking for a new church and and have visited quite a few in my area so have some other things to add. Most large churches here encourage the first time attenders to visit an information booth or classroom to get information and meet some of the staff people. Others set aside a certain place in the fellowship hall to meet new people. I never went to these types of things but I presume they had you fill out a card or some type of form there. quote: My favorite is: Would like a visit? Our deacons go out on Sunday afternoons to talk with visitors from the morning services and leave them information. Even though I love my church, I never have liked unplanned guests showing up at my house on Sunday afternoon. This (thankfully) has never happened to me and seems almost kind of intimidating. quote: I don't like it when so much emphasis is placed on greeting newcomers in the middle of the service. I have nothing wrong with a sign of Peace or a sincere welcome from someone in my immediate vicinity . . . but when it takes 5 minutes and the visitors are almost showcased, that's more than a bit uncomfortable. Where I live now, there also seems to be a very strange trend in, instead of asking the visitors to be seated (and then everyone goes and find them - which I don't particularly care for), many churches around here tell the members to be seated and the visitors to remaining standing. Then the minister welcomes the visitors and such (but all the while, it is very uncomfortable to be spotlighted in such a way) and then tells the rest church to go throughout the church and welcome the people who are standing. WHAT? I have never encountered this either. What book of how to embarass people does this idea come from?[8\|][8\|] j/k First time visitors many times already feel out of place and there's nothing like pointing them out to make them feel more so. I tend to be kind of shy when I visit a new church alone and this would mortify me. It would guarantee I would never come back. I visited one church on a Sunday they were having communion. The elders were greeting at the doors. Visitors were immediately taken to the consistory room and had to appear before some of the deacons and elders and the pastor to be approved before they could attend the service. At my old job I used to repair office equipment and worked in a lot of churches so I saw a lot of things about visitor policies either hanging by the machine I was working, in church bulletins or depending where I had to go in the building in the various places in the church. Here are a few of the "different" things I remember. A couple churches had specific pews and/or parking spaces for visitors. One very small church had a policy where the pastor and an elder visited first time vistors on an evening during the following week. This was apparently an almost hour long visit since they had a chart hanging with hour long blocks for each visit. And my personal favorite. One church had a desk with a microphone on it at the front door with a big sign that said "ALL VISTORS MUST STOP AT THE DESK AND WAIT TO BE ANNOUNCED BEFORE ENTERING." [&:] I would say whatever you end up doing with your first time visitor cards don't make the first time visitor embarassed to be there or fill it out.

Consecrated2God -> RE: -First time attender forms--what questions are you comfortable answering? (3/27/2008 10:48:35 AM)
Wow, some of those would be so embarassing! [&:] I do like the churches that have special visitor parking. [:D] We always liked that part. But special pews? Being approved to attend the service? Being announced? Yikes! That's just over the top.

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