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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
The authors are represented by the literary agency of The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc.
Some names and details have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.
Endorsements
Guests want to come back [to church] because of what they experience during their first visit. How to make that happen is what Jason and Jonathan share in this book.
From the foreword by Andy Stanley
Jason Young and Jonathan Malm have written an important book for anyone hoping to grow their church, expand their ministry, or strengthen their business. In The Come Back Effect , they give the reader practical ways to create a healthy and thriving culture.
Craig Groeschel , pastor, Life.Church; author, Divine Direction: Decisions That Will Change Your Life
Hospitality is, in its simplest form, the loving of strangers. This book dives deep in showing what that looks like. Read and prepare for impact.
Dr. Johnny Hunt , senior pastor, First Baptist Church Woodstock
Im not sure most churchesor businesses, for that matterpay close enough attention to the power of hospitality in ministry and business. Jason and Jonathan provide leaders with a great framework for creating amazing experiences for first-time and returning guests!
Tyler Reagin , president, Catalyst
This is one of the best books Ive read when it comes to guest experience and hospitality at a church. Reading through this book made me think of different ways to train my volunteers and how they see and engage with our guests.
Rommel Manio , church experience pastor, Saddleback Church
To get a guest to come back to your church or business, providing care and delivering excellence are critical in every experience. Jason and Jonathan help you do both with personal stories and practical steps anyone can follow. This is a book you need to read.
Horst Schulze , founder and CEO, Capella Hotels; founder, Ritz-Carlton Hotels
Service comes from a manual; hospitality comes from the heart. In The Come Back Effect , Jason and Jonathan unpack how gracious hospitality and generosity of spirit will lead to a powerful, lasting relationship between people and your church or business.
Kirk Kinsell , former president and CEO, Loews Hotels; former president, Intercontinental Hotels Group (Americas)
The environment we create for our guests, team members, and regular attendees speaks to the focus and heart of the organization. Jason and Jonathan clearly articulate, in a practical manner, a framework that ensures everything communicates a loving embrace for all who open the doors.
Paul Bowers , president and CEO, Georgia Power
How do we take the best knowledge from companies like hotels and restaurants and bring that excellence to the church? Im excited to see this conversation in the church. Jason and Jonathan give us the tools to create loving, welcoming environments that draw people to the love of Christ.
Cheryl Bachelder , former CEO, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc.; author, Dare to Serve
Every single person in ministry needs to read The Come Back Effect . Whether your ministry is already bringing people back in droves or you have a long way to go, this book will help you go farther faster. Read this bookand watch your ministry go to the next level.
Luis Martinez- Soto , volunteer development director, Lakewood Church
Its easy to be become disconnected from what its like to be a guest. Jason and Jonathan have written an inspiring and helpful book that puts us back in the shoes of our guests and reminds us what matters most. This book is not just for your greeters; it will empower your entire team to create a dynamic weekend experience at church. I will be referencing and recommending this book often.
Brandon Stewart , director, Team Church Conference
Truett Cathy taught me, Hospitality is cheap, but it pays great dividends. Creating a culture of hospitality is vital for our restaurants and any team that wants to fulfill its purpose. Jason and Jonathan provide a powerful guide to help you create a culture! My hope is this book impacts you at a heart level, where it affects how you serve not only on Sunday but every day!
Chris Darley , owner/operator, Chick-fil-A, Atlanta, Georgia
Dedication
For the guests coming to your church this weekend.
Theyre about to feel loved like never before.
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
Dedication
Foreword by Andy Stanley
Acknowledgments
Authors Note
1. Focus on Feeling as Much as Function
2. Create a Culture, Not a Job Title
3. Know the Guest
4. Be Fully Present
5. Think Scene by Scene
6. Recover Quickly
7. Observe Details, Because Everything Communicates
8. Reject Just Okay
9. Choose Values over Policies
10. Reach for Significance
Appendix: Example Psychographic Sheet
Notes
About the Authors
Back Ads
Back Cover
Foreword
I recently read a letter from a woman who had been so persistent in inviting her children to attend our church that her husband asked her to stop pressuring them to come. They were adults who had developed a strong distaste for church and for Christians. When she finally leveraged all of her influence to get them to attend with her for Christmas, it was under the stipulation that she would have to sit through lunch afterward and listen to their thoughts on faith.
In her letter, she described in great detail their experience at one of our campuses. She remembered names, hand gestures, and even the facial expressions of our guest services volunteers and the people onstage. She noticed all those things because she was extra sensitive to the experience. It wasnt just her perspective that mattered this time; she was seeing the service through the eyes of her family. After the service, the verdict came in. The experience was excellent. One of her children even commented that the customer service was better than at the Hyatt.
The end result was a completely different conversation at lunch. Instead of a religious debate, they discussed the excellence they had just experienced. They felt like the experience had been tailored to them. One of her childrenknown to be a cynic, debater, and atheistdescribed what he experienced at church that day as a 10!