1. Our congregation anticipates visitors at our door on Sunday mornings – and thanks God for the ministry of hospitality.
1 - Except for one or two people, members tend to visit with each other and are largely ambivalent to visitors on Sunday morning
2
3 - Many are glad that someone else is a designated greeter
4
5 - We regularly, intentionally, and warmly welcome, plan for, and pray for visitors at our congregation

2. Our location is well advertised and well marked.
1 - We offer few clues as to where we’re located and don’t generally advertise ourselves
2
3 - Our phone greeting is joyful, warm and inviting, and always up to date with Sunday morning service times.
4
5 - Our congregation’s website, answering machine, yellow page/newspaper information and outdoor signage make it easy to find our church.

3. Our web site:
1 - Website? What's a "Website"?
2
3 - Uses a lot of acronyms and insider language that only members would understand
4
5 - Is attractive, updated weekly, invites and is aimed at newcomers first and members second, uses a map to identify our location

4. We make sure no one has difficulty parking.
1 - Parking at our church is admittedly “an issue.”
2
3 - Vehicle parking is easy to find.
4
5 - We have designated visitor parking, bicycle racks and parking attendants (on special occasions).  Car pooling is also arranged.

5. Entrances to the church are clearly marked and attractive.
1 - The side door is preferred - if you can find it
2
3 - We think our entrances are obvious to anyone
4
5 - There’s no mistaking the entrance (accessible, well lit, well located, well signed)

6. All visitors receive a warm greeting at the door.
1 - We don’t have designated greeters
2
3 - Our greeters smile and shake hands
4
5 - Greeters know to expect visitors from the www.liveforpeace.com campaign or elsewhere.

7. The www.liveforpeace.com posters are prominently displayed in or on our church building.
1 - There’s no visual indication that we’re a part of this campaign
2
3 - The poster is around the corner in the hall or on the pastor’s office door
4
5 - It’s right at the entrance, is posted in several places around the building, and noted in the bulletin– you can’t miss it.

8. Designated people are equipped to engage a conversation on peacemaking with visitors.
1 - We haven’t given this any thought
2
3 - We expect all members to know our “peace message”
4
5 - We have identified key people who are willing to engage visitors with a “peacemaking conversation”

9. Our Sunday morning bulletin:
1 - Uses a lot of acronyms, code, and insider language that only members would understand
2
3 - Acknowledges worship participants (speakers, song leaders, etc.) by name so visitors can connect names and faces
4
5 - Expresses gratitude for visitors and invites them to linger after the service and meet people

10. Specific “peace practices” are incorporated into our worship experience (peace candle, prayers, hymn/song texts, highlighted announcements) – and are especially obvious during our live for peace campaign.
1 - Peace is rarely a topic of worship, and seldom woven into our worship
2
3 - We celebrate Peace Sunday once a year and that’s enough
4
5 - We express and articulate our peace theology through many worship practices

11. Members give their names during announcements or sharing times and are conscious of avoiding “insider language.”
1 - We know what our acronyms mean, often use expressions in an unfamiliar language, colloquialisms
2
3 - We expect people to know each other (eg. “for more information, talk to Irene”)
4
5 - We’re conscientious with our use of language, titles and names and take care to use the full name rather than the acronym

12. During our offering time:
1 - Language used is focused on “taking” the offering rather than “receiving” the offering and makes people feel guilty if they don’t contribute
2
3 - Language expresses joy and gratitude that we can give back to God a portion of what we have been given
4
5 - Language explains that visitors are welcome but not expected to give

13. The language used in worship is understood by all who are present.
1 - Our children are content to read a favourite book rather than be engaged.  We also expect newcomers will ask questions if they feel confused
2
3 - We give an order of worship to every participant, including a child-friendly bulletin to our children
4
5 - We’re conscious of our theological terminology, biblical allusions and “church” references.

14. Our congregation welcomes all persons.
1 - Songs include music that is accessible to children and other untrained voices
2
3 - Intergenerational activities mark a lot of the events in our congregational life.
4
5 - All rooms and floors of our building are clearly identified and wheelchair accessible

15. We have designated greeters following the service when there’s often time for extended conversation.
1 - Everyone tends to leave quickly after the service so we can lock up the building
2
3 - The occasional noon potluck draws a crowd
4
5 - Regular fellowship times provide opportunities for members and visitors to interact

16. Our church has attractive, current brochures and other information – with a special focus on our denomination and its strongly biblically based beliefs and values of nonviolent peace building.
1 - We’re unsure where the few scattered items on the back table came from or who put them there – they don’t really reflect who we are
2
3 - Our literature rack and bulletin board is updated once a year and contains material relevant to who we are
4
5 - We have current materials to pass along to interested visitors and know where to point people who seek more information (eg. Your church library, www.mennonitechurch.ca/resourcecentre

17. Visitors are intentionally invited back.
1 - We have no way of knowing who was at church on Sunday morning
2
3 - We have a guest book at the back and visitor cards in the pews
4
5 - We have a follow-up system in place to extend hospitality beyond Sunday morning (eg. take fresh bread or other expressions of welcome to the homes of visitors).

Attention: All test results are anonymous. We do not track sources in any way.