Q&A: How Can We Eliminate “Visitors”?
Q:
Do you have any tips on helping our lead pastors eliminate the use of the word “visitors”?
[Submitted in a recent session of Confab]
A:
(Yes, I know. That’s an intentionally misleading title. No visitors were harmed in the making of this post.)
To give some context for this question, I have an allergic reaction to “the v-word,” and you should too. In short, visitor implies the temporary, where guest invokes a plan leading to permanence.
But what happens when you know not to say the v-word, but those around you don’t necessarily see the importance? Here are three quick tips:
1. Make it clear.
Before you get upset, make sure they get clarity. Explain your why behind why ditching the v-word matters (this post might help). Explain why guest is a better word to build culture. Specifically ask if they’ll commit to ridding the word from their vocabulary.
2. Make it fun.
Don’t make the mistake of being the language police, tsk-tsking when they relapse, or getting bitter and angry over something that is – in the grand scheme of things – not life or death. Do keep it playful. Bring a buzzer to a staff meeting and zap it whenever someone says it. Keep a “swear jar” where the only thing that elicits a contribution is the no-no word. Leave a Post-It on the pulpit that promises a $5 Starbucks gift card if they make it through the services without an offense. Have a board in the office that says “___ days since the last use of the word visitor.”
3. Make it forever.
This only works if you work it. Be clear and be kind, but be consistent. Don’t grow weary in your effort to change language on the way to changing culture. Remember that when you’re sick of saying something, your team is probably just beginning to hear it. Bang that drum but don’t be a jerk.
Guests trumps visitors every single time. Lead the charge, and change your culture.
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