Communication Guidance

First-Contact communication should assume goodwill, prior exposure, and unrecorded engagement, and should never imply that a person’s relationship with the church began at the moment of contact.

People often commit internally long before they identify externally.

1. Start With Presence, Not “Firstness”

Avoid language that implies this is the first meaningful interaction.

Avoid

• “We’re so glad you found us.”
• “Thanks for checking us out for the first time.”
• “We’re excited you discovered our church.”

These erase any prior engagement, including generosity.

Prefer

• “We’re really glad you joined us this weekend.”
• “It was great to have you with us.”
• “We’re thankful you were with us on Sunday.”

Principle:

First Contact recognizes presence, not origin.

2. Use “Joined Us,” Not “New to Us”

“New” language is where erasure most often happens.

Avoid

• “If you’re brand new…”