How to Create Remarkable for All Generations - Anne Hopkins, director of advancement
When you think about “remarkable” and what it means, you probably think of things you’ve experienced. The Biltmore Estate, a Cirque du Soleil show and Ritz-Carlton hotel experiences are all remarkable…but for different reasons. Some words to describe something that is remarkable might be extraordinary, sensational, notable, uncommon, significant and unique. But what about when you put “remarkable” into action? It begins to be a bit trickier than just describing it. Some might find it difficult to put remarkable into action or describe what it can look like in your church…especially when talking about creating a remarkable experience spanning several generations!
Creating “remarkable” for a church community can be a daunting task but a necessary one. You want to be remarkable and to be known for being all of the incredible words mentioned above, but how do you do that with such a wide range of ages in a church? With some intentionality, creativity and a desire to draw people to Christ, you can create a remarkable experience for your church community!
Let’s walk through how you can create REMARKABLE…for EVERY AGE!
1.Create remarkable by making people feel special.
Who doesn’t like to feel special?!? When someone feels needed or simply observes that a little extra effort has been directed towards them, they are more likely to walk away with a lasting and unique positive impression. Making a variety of age groups in your congregation or community feel special might feel like an impossible task, but it’s much easier than you would expect. Here are some practical ways to do that:
Who are your “people.” - Break down the people you serve in larger groups and subgroups within the larger groups. Imagine what would make them feel special and list them out…ALL of them. Webbing diagrams are perfect for brain dumps like this. Don’t let your “can” or “can't" hinder your imagination!
Wonder. - Wonder what it looks like to execute the things you listed and think about who to involve. Wonder how much it would cost. Is there even an expense associated with it? Wonder what the logistics look like. Do you and the other staff have the capacity to execute this idea? Wonder what the takeaways could be. Wonder about what you are currently doing. Is it making someone feel special? Can you add something to it if it’s not doing that?
Think small. - You read that correctly. Small actions and smaller experiences can be just as remarkable and make people feel just as special as grand gestures, if not more!
Here are 8 examples of how you create remarkable by making things special:
Offering lunch to college students after worship
Delivering flower when someone is in the hospital (sick, baby, etc.)
A handwritten note mailed from the Children’s pastor after a “first-time” family visits
A phone call from a pastor on a random day to just say “hi” and check-in
Helping schedule Sunday school classes or small groups an afternoon/night in the fellowship hall to build community
A small gift to small group leaders/Sunday school teachers at the end of the year to thank them for their service
A highlighted spot in the church/ministry newsletter or on social media of youth, students, or senior adult member
Committees for church-wide events
2. Decide what the standard of remarkable looks like for your community.
This is a mindset that nearly every church leader wrestles with. How do you stay new and relevant for your community? EVERY community and church is different, so think through with your church staff what would be visually appealing, make someone feel special and leave an experience saying “that was truly REMARKABLE”!!! No matter the age! Zoom out. Look and utilize what is in your community…and then ask yourself several questions:
What is relevant where you are? Are you in a farming community? Does someone in the church have a farm or piece of land they would be willing to lend for a family fun day or holiday carnival? Are you on the coast and can easily access shrimp or crawfish for a boil as a fundraiser for the youth group to go skiing? Would it make sense for you to have a family fun day when most of your congregation is older and you’re working on attracting young families…but aren’t quite there? What does your community ultimately want and desire from their church?
What is fun for all ages? Is it unusually warm in your area of the country? Maybe in January, you could get snow machines/bubble machines and create a “snowing” experience on the first Sunday in January as people leave worship. Would the retirees of your congregation enjoy helping to decorate the church and sanctuary for Christmas? Would youth/college students enjoy a lemonade and lounging opportunity at someone’s pool in the summer? What about a cocoa and cookies exchange for young adults? These are all great ways to draw in different ages while creating opportunities to build community among yourselves. Your main goal is to create experiences that people want to attend at your church.
3. Create buy-in by involving and engaging everyone.
Creating a “buy-in” culture creates community while also creating collective ownership of the church, which leads to members inviting friends to come to “their” church with them. When someone feels that they are also responsible for helping create remarkable - they feel like they are a player on the team with you and running the play. They are involved in executing the plan to create remarkable experiences that you have laid out!
Create ownership. - If everyone in your congregation feels like they are an integral part of making the church remarkable, they will also feel like they are a member of the team and DON’T want to let you or the play down. To do this, you have to have a clear action plan and intentional communication. There are many different gifts, talents and strengths within your congregation, and it’s your job to figure them out and plug people into a place where they can use those to glorify the Lord! Once a year create a form for people to fill out where they can put their preferences to serve, but also where they can check off their gifts, talents, and skills. Also, include an “other” where people can write in additional ways they can serve your church. That’s where the ownership part comes in, someone is volunteering to help you make something remarkable on their own…no matter how old they are or what their skill is. Creating a sense that everyone has a job, no matter how small or how young, to be a part of the church and create remarkable experiences for all ages is the definition of what a “buy-in” culture is. Each age group can serve and be served in some capacity. Much of this concept goes hand-in-hand with the earlier goal of making everyone feel special.
For example, remember the flower delivery to church members in the hospital or sick at home. Could those happen from a committee that disassembles the sanctuary flowers and creates mini ones to deliver on Monday? What about if children's Sunday school classes create get-well-soon cards for those who are sick or on a prayer list?
Create an inviting and welcoming environment. - Not just an inviting, welcoming environment for your visitors, but for your volunteers too. Volunteers are critical for helping to create something remarkable for all ages. It’s your plan and communication that will empower them to do it with excellence - que the welcoming environment part! You want your volunteer’s time, sharp minds, great ideas, warm bodies and willing hands to help your create a special, inviting and impressionable experience. How can you utilize your church, structure and people, to make visitors and volunteers feel special and create a warm and welcoming environment? Remember you want people to walk away and say…”Wow, that was a REMARKABLE experience!”
Example #1: When hosting an event, make sure that there is a special touchpoint for attendees as they are entering/exiting, etc. It could be a high-five from a volunteer, a passed card with a strong call to action or even a “we’re glad you are here” message. Could you create a game, phrase, song or training for your welcoming team to remember their checklist or those they greeted? To determine these, poll small groups or classes about ways they have felt welcomed or included.
Example #2: How does your children’s ministry welcome new families? Are there bright and inviting images or murals in your children’s area? Is there signage to direct people where to go?. Is there a checklist or parent card at infant/toddler drop-off that lays out your process and can put a first-time visitor at ease when dropping off their child(ren)? Is there a way that your volunteers know a child is a first-time-guest and can be extra intentional with that family?
Creating remarkable experiences does not have to be an elaborate endeavor. It comes down to giving your church a sense of ownership and responsibility for helping create those experiences by helping position people to use their gifts, talents and skills to contribute intentionally. Every generation can contribute to creating remarkable experiences and to further the Kingdom of God by making visitors feel special and important. When everyone plays a part in this, it’s inevitable that new people will be attracted to your church’s passion for Jesus and making Him known…and it’s through His people. ALL of them that you’ll effectively do this!!
Anne Hopkins is the Director of Advancement at Connect Ministries, where she has worked since 2023. She is passionate about helping churches meet new people because as a preacher’s daughter, she saw firsthand the challenges pastors and churches faced in reaching their community. She knows the importance of being able to support ministry leaders in their work to share their Gospel and see the Great Commission be fulfilled. Originally from Dillon, SC, Anne attends Athens First UMC, where she helped start a Sunday School class that now includes over 31 couples. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications from the College of Charleston and has worked in the fundraising/event world since graduation. Anne and her husband, Hunter, have three children—Harrison, Millie, and Mary Gardner—along with their beloved Goldendoodle, Dottie. She enjoys antiquing, room design, floral arrangements, and her favorite nerd hobby—needlepoint… but most importantly, she enjoys people!