SECRET SUNDAY GUEST REVIEW
An honest audit of your Sunday experience from the perspective of your target first-time guest
One thing you can never do is experience something for the first time… again.
We quickly forget what it’s like to be in the mind of a newcomer — especially one walking in with baggage, pain, doubts, or fears.
We get so familiar with our processes, buildings, verbiage, etc. that we can’t easily see where it’s NOT translating to an outsider.
With a Secret Sunday Guest Review, you get a complete run-down of every bit of a Sunday (and the connection process afterward) from a constructively critical eye.
Here’s how it’ll go:
We’ll have a prep conversation to talk through the mindset, motivations, and needs of your target newcomer (so we can filter everything through that lens in particular)
I’ll arrive Saturday with an optional informal get-together Saturday night with anyone you’d like
I’ll attend all services to get as full a picture as possible of every element of the experience
I’ll do everything you ask a newcomer to do to stress test your calls to action and processes
If the timing works, I’ll attend an after-service connection event and include it in my report
I’ll write a thorough review of all the key moments and everything in between
The drive up
Parking
Pre-service (people’s attitudes, signage, volunteers, available information, etc.)
Kids Check-In (ease, clarity, comfort, volunteers, etc.)
Worship Service/Auditorium experience
Announcements and Calls to Action
After Service/Your “One Place”
We should have some time after service to do an initial debrief before traveling back
Full report with suggestions and possible growth tracks ready within a few days
I’m the founder of Climbing the Assimilayas and the Director of Assimilation at Eastside Christian Church.
After many years as a Lead Pastor, our church merged with Eastside and I stepped into a brand new role for me and the church: Assimilation Director.
We were growing way too fast and didn’t have a plan that could keep up. After stumbling my way through, I landed on a system that was shockingly simple and more effective than we had hoped for—we started seeing 1 in 4 guests become connected, serving members. It blew our minds.
As I shared my story, I saw tons of church leaders struggling in this area. Assimilation seemed like the missing ingredient in almost every church, big or small.
My greatest passion is helping more people reach the summit of full connection with God and others. And it’s an honor to come alongside incredible church leaders like you who are making that happen.
My name is Greg Curtis.
I first met Greg just 1.5 years into ministry, after I took over assimilation at our fast-growing church plant. I was already leading two other things, and it’s safe to say I had no idea what I was doing.
After attending Greg’s first-ever training event, I felt like I could finally see clearly. As I started implementing his assimilation system and sharing the principles with my staff, our entire culture began to change. And the results quickly followed.
Now I’m in Franklin TN partnering with multiple churches and organizations focusing on Guest Experience, Assimilation, Pastoral Care, and Small Groups.
