Guest Services

Information, Please…

By Donna Vonfeldt / Information Center Coordinator / Browns Bridge Community Church Guests arrive at our Information Center each Sunday with all kinds of questions. Everyone wants to know what, when, where, why, and how. Questions range anywhere from baptism and programs we offer to directions to another part of the building. When it comes to informing our guests, we realize our volunteers can only be as helpful as the information they are given in advance. They need up-to-date, accurate information about programs, ministries, and events... with LOTS of details. In this case, MORE is better. The name of the event, who it’s for, dates, times, locations, and registration information are pertinent details to include. We make it a priority to give our volunteers access to detailed information about events and ministry areas so they can provide the best possible answers to the questions our guests will have. But beyond answering questions and giving out information, our volunteers go one step further. Our volunteers serve as ambassadors of Browns Bridge. We have the unique opportunity to personally connect with the guests who come to us with questions or comments. Here's an example: If a guest asks where our Kid's Environments are, rather than pointing to its location... we offer to take them there. This allows us to have a conversation with them as we walk. Not only do they end up with the correct information, they now feel like they know someone here and see that we genuinely care about their experience. Taking an interest in each guest who approaches us goes a long way in making them feel welcomed and wanted.

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Emergencies Happen

By Casey Ross / Director of Ministry Services / Browns Bridge Community Church I was never a Cub Scout or a Boy Scout. To be honest, I know very little about the organization. But I do know and love their motto: "Be prepared." It's a valuable phrase for any church's Guest Services to live by. In addition to parking, traffic flow, greeters, ushers, etc., a church's Guest Services leaders typically are the first people who respond to any number of situations on a Sunday morning. One of the situations every church needs to be prepared for are medical emergencies. It does not matter how many people attend your church, a medical emergency can happen this Sunday. You cannot prevent something like this from happening. But how you respond when it does happen is vital. In the most extreme circumstances, it can mean life or death. In many circumstances, it can communicate to a guest that the church cares about them and is prepared to help them. At a church the size of Browns Bridge, we have a Medical Call List. Every Sunday, medical professionals we have identified check-in at our Information Center and are given a pager. If their pager goes off, we have a system in place that gets them to the emergency as quickly and easily as possible. While a staff member stays in charge of the scene, the medical professional is allowed to use the skills and abilities God has given them to assist the guest. But the size of your church does not matter. Identify who the medical professionals are in your church. Ask them if they would be willing to make themselves available. Come up with a way to know where they are and how to communicate with them. And determine a plan for when a medical emergency does happen. Be prepared.

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