They are intentional about being friendly. Warmth and friendliness are clear values of theses churches. They are articulated regularly. All organizations, including churches, naturally drift toward an inward focus unless they are otherwise intentional. The leaders model warmth, humility, and friendliness. The friendliness is not contrived or phony. These leaders have prayerfully become genuinely friendly men and women.

Several years ago, when I was involved in active church consultations, I assembled data on what I called GFCs, genuinely friendly churches. I set certain parameters for GFCs; then I attempted to measure those churches guest return rates. A guest return rate is simply the percentage of guests who will return to the church for at least a second visit.

Here is the simple but profound difference I found in GFCs and all other churches: A genuinely friendly church has a guest return rate six times greater than other churches.

….Sadly, only about one of twenty churches meets the criteria necessary to be a GFC.

….I have since expanded the list to 14, and require churches to meet 11 of the 14 to be a GFC. Here are the 14 characteristics of genuinely friendly churches:

1. They are intentional about being friendly.
2. The leaders model warmth, humility, and friendliness.
3. The leaders are clear that genuine friendliness is more than a brief stand and greet time in a worship service.
4. GFCs utilize a secret guest at least twice a year.
5. GFCs had a guest friendly web site.
6. The church has clear signage.
7. GFCs have a well-organized greeters’ ministry.
8. These churches have clear information places.
9. GFCs have clean and neat buildings.
10. They have a guest feedback process.
11. The children’s area is clearly safe and sanitary.
12. The majority of church members in GFCs are involved in the community.
13. Small groups are highly intentional about reaching people beyond their own groups.
14. GFCs have new member classes that emphasize the responsibilities and expectations of church members.

[Editor’s note: This article is incomplete. The link (URL) to the original article at Church Answers is unavailable and has been removed.]