Before ministry I worked in hospitality and tourism.

I had the opportunity to work in a number of hotels and restaurants. The experiences I had during those years taught me so much about how a guest (or visitor) needs and/or wants to be treated.

Alternately, my years in ministry have shown me that churches could learn a lot from the tourism and hospitality industry. In particular, dealing with 2 polarizing problems.

Problem 1: Too Empty

A few months ago I walked into a mexican restaurant. The decor was excellent, mixing California surf culture with authentic Mexican themes. Catchy surf tunes were playing, which made the place really inviting.

It was the kind of place where you ordered your food, then found your table. I placed my order, then took my seat. As I looked around, I could see a few other parties were already enjoying their meals. They called my number, I picked up my food and started into an amazing meal.

“What an incredible place?” I though to myself.

Then something interesting happened.

The other parties finished their meals and headed out the door, all about the same time. I was left alone in the restaurant, which didn’t bother me at all.

A few minutes later, the door opened and a couple of people stepped into the restaurant. They looked around and just saw 1 guy (me) enjoying his meal. With sour faces, they mutter to each other and headed back out the door.

The atmosphere was great, the food was delicious, but the lack of customers killed the potential.

Churches can have the same problem.

The emptiness of that restaurant sent a negative message. Empty churches can send the same message. “There’s a problem here! Leave while you still can!” Regardless of the quality, the emptiness sends a message that guests will not enjoy their time in this place.

For churches, this happens when a congregation meets in a place that too big or when they’ve changed their service times, but haven’t got a round to changing the sign out front.

Quality is only beneficial if the level of communication matches the level of quality.

Problem 2: Too Full

It’s Friday night and you’ve decided to go out with some friends. You get to the entrance to our favourite restaurant and there’s a line-up. The host tells you it’ll be a 45 minute wait.

You head to a few other restaurants, but disappointment hits you harder each time. Then your spouse or friend chimes in with that less-than-helpful statement that we’ve all heard before. “We should have just stayed at the first place.“

What about when our church is full?

A full church is a pastor’s dream. However, much like restaurants, churches that are full send another negative message: “There is no place for you here.” The disappointment and discomfort of only seeing a few empty seats (none of them together), will prevent that party from ever returning.

Restaurants deal with this by hosting second and/or third sittings for dining service. However, churches have a real struggle moving toward hosting second and/or third services.

The second service has to happen.

We’ve all heard the arguments. “You’re trying to break up the church. We’ll lose our connections with people. You’re hindering friendship in the church.“

There are many more, but each argument holds the same basic statement. “I’m comfortable the way things are.“

Is your church too empty or too full?

Hopefully, your church isn’t facing either of these problems right now. In that case, you’ve found a balance, but be ready for when the seats start filling up.

For those churches who are facing one of our two problems; it’s time to have some difficult conversations. “Why are we empty? We are we full?” Most importantly,  “What are we going to do about it this week?“

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Is your church too empty, too full or just right? Why do you think that is and what do you think needs to happen?