Continuing our effort to provide you an insider's view of our Easter preparations at FC this year, we asked our Children's Department (FC Kids) what they are considering as they get ready for this big weekend. Here's what our Elementary Director, Mitch Corn, had to say:
It’s not hard to get new families to come to church on Easter. The hard part is getting them to come back week after week once Easter is over. FC Kids has realized that a child’s experience at church is our best outreach tool. As we plan our weekend services we take into consideration that kids possess a unique ability to bring their families to church. When kids have fun, feel included, and understand an applicable message from God’s word, they will literally beg their parents to bring them back to church. Stats have shown that parents feel a direct responsibility for their children’s spirituality, thus causing them to feel eager to bring their child back time and time again. Easter is a critical weekend because we see more 1st time vistors than at any other time of year, so we want to put our best foot forward in every area. However we have found that the excellence we offer on Easter must be consistent throughout the year in order to maintain true and consistent growth.
With that said FC Kids has adopted an effective strategy to minister to first time visitors each weekend. Once a family has entered the Children’s area, they are greeted and directed to a special 1st time visitors check-in area where they can receive one-on-one attention from one of our trained volunteers. As soon as we have their family information we offer them a special frequently asked question flyer that will give them vital information about our ministry. This whole process takes less than 2 minutes. We then proceed to walk the family to the age appropriate room of each child, and then the parents are escorted to the worship center. Each child who has come to FC Kids for the 1st time will receive a sticker on their name tag to help staff and volunteers know it is their 1st time. The purpose of the sticker is to make staff and volunteers aware so they can make the child feel especially welcomed. During the service FC Kids maintains an all-kids-allowed service format by only asking questions covered during that service. We never assume any child knows anything. By going above and beyond each weekend, FC Kids assures every 1st time visitor a great experience.
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