First Impressions: Why the First 10 Minutes Matter Most

Sunday morning. You're standing at the door with your name tag on, coffee in hand, ready to welcome people into God's house. You smile, shake hands, maybe comment on the weather. Simple, right?

Here's what you might not realize: You're not just greeting people, you're shaping their entire church experience in the first 10 minutes.

Dr. Layne McDonald has worked with church leadership teams for years, and one truth keeps surfacing: the greeter isn't just the first face people see. You're the first impression of Jesus they'll encounter that morning. And science backs up what the Spirit already knows, those opening moments carry weight that lasts far beyond the handshake.

The Science of Seconds

Research shows people form initial judgments in as little as one-tenth of a second. Before you've finished saying "Good morning," their brain has already made dozens of micro-assessments about safety, warmth, and whether they belong here.

That's not pressure, that's opportunity.

The amygdala (your brain's emotional command center) activates almost instantly when someone walks through those doors. It's scanning for threats, yes, but also for connection. Your eye contact, your tone, the way you lean in just slightly when they speak: all of it registers before conscious thought kicks in.

And here's the part that matters most for Sunday mornings: once that first impression forms, it's incredibly resistant to change. If someone feels seen and valued in those opening moments, they'll filter the rest of their experience through that lens. But if they feel overlooked or rushed? Even a great sermon struggles to overcome that.

What's Really Happening in Those First 10 Minutes

Think about your own life. Remember the last time you walked into a new place: a job interview, a party where you didn't know anyone, maybe even a new church. Your nervous system was on high alert, wasn't it? You were asking silent questions: Do I fit here? Am I safe? Does anyone notice me?

That's exactly what's happening when families pull into your parking lot on Sunday morning.

The single parent is wondering if anyone will judge her for being alone. The couple visiting for the first time is deciding whether to stay or find an excuse to leave. The teenager dragged here by his parents is looking for any reason to confirm this place isn't for him.

You have 10 minutes: sometimes less: to answer those unspoken questions with the love of Christ.

This isn't about being fake or overly enthusiastic. It's about being present. Attentive. Genuinely glad they showed up.

The Memphis Way: Hospitality as Ministry

Here in Memphis, we know something about hospitality. We slow down for each other. We remember names. We ask about your mama and actually wait for the answer. That's not just Southern charm: that's the heartbeat of the gospel lived out in real time.

When you're greeting on Sunday morning, bring that same spirit. Don't rush the moment. Don't scan the room while you're shaking someone's hand. Look them in the eye. Ask their name: and use it. Notice the kid hiding behind their parent's leg and crouch down to their level.

If you want to know whether you're doing it right, ask yourself: Would someone walk away from this interaction feeling more loved or less loved than when they arrived?

The answer to that question changes everything.

Practical Steps for Powerful First Impressions

Let's get specific. Here's what research and experience both confirm works:

1. Eye contact matters more than words. Maintain eye contact about 60% of the time during conversation. Too much feels intense; too little feels disinterested. Find the balance that says, "I see you, and I'm glad you're here."

2. Remember that body language speaks louder than your greeting. Uncross your arms. Turn your body fully toward the person you're speaking with. Subtle mirroring (matching their energy level) creates instant rapport. If they're quiet and cautious, don't bulldoze them with over-the-top energy. Meet them where they are.

3. Use names early and often. Ask for their name within the first 30 seconds, then use it at least twice in the conversation. "Sarah, it's great to meet you. Sarah, let me show you where the kids' area is." Names carry dignity. They say, "You're not just another face: you're a person I want to know."

4. Ask one real question. Not "How are you?" (everyone says "fine"). Ask something specific: "Is this your first time visiting us?" or "What brings you in this morning?" Then actually listen to the answer. Real questions open real conversations.

5. Offer one specific piece of help. Don't just say "Let me know if you need anything." That's too vague. Instead: "The coffee's fresh in the lobby: can I grab you a cup?" or "Would you like me to walk you to the sanctuary?" Specific offers feel like genuine care, not scripted politeness.

If you're a first-time greeter reading this, share this post with your team lead. These aren't tricks: they're tools. And when you use them with a heart to serve, they become ministry.

Breath Section: A Moment to Reflect

Pause right here for just a minute.

Close your eyes if you're able. Take three slow, deep breaths.

Think about the last time someone made you feel truly seen. Maybe it was a kind word when you were hurting. Maybe it was a stranger who held the door and smiled like they meant it. Maybe it was someone who remembered your name when you thought they'd forgotten.

How did that feel?

That feeling: that warmth, that sense of mattering: is what you get to give away every single Sunday morning. You're not just opening doors. You're opening hearts to the possibility that God sees them, knows them, and is glad they're here.

That's not a small thing. That's everything.

Now take one more deep breath, and let that truth settle in.

The Lasting Ripple Effect

Here's what keeps me (Dr. Layne McDonald) passionate about training greeters and door teams: You're creating the conditions for transformation.

When someone feels welcomed in those first 10 minutes, they're more likely to stay for the service. When they stay, they're more likely to hear a word from God that changes their week. When their week changes, their family notices. When their family notices, their community shifts.

All because you were present. Attentive. Warm.

First impressions aren't just about making people comfortable: they're about removing barriers so the Holy Spirit can do His work. You're not responsible for changing anyone's life. But you are responsible for making sure they feel safe enough to let God in.

And that starts the moment they pull into the parking lot.

One Challenge for This Sunday

Pick one person this Sunday: just one: and give them your full, undivided attention for 10 minutes. Not 5. Not "until someone more important walks up." A full 10 minutes of eye contact, genuine questions, and zero distractions.

Watch what happens.

You'll see their shoulders relax. You'll hear their voice shift from cautious to comfortable. You might even see tears if they've been carrying something heavy and finally feel safe enough to share it.

That's the power of a first impression done right. That's ministry.

Ready to go deeper in your leadership and service? Visit www.laynemcdonald.com for coaching, resources, and practical training on becoming the kind of leader people want to follow: and the kind of greeter people never forget. Every visit to the site helps raise funds for families who've lost children, at no cost to you. You grow, others heal, and the Kingdom expands. That's how it's supposed to work.

You're not just standing at a door. You're standing at the threshold of someone's encounter with Jesus. Make those first 10 minutes count.

Grace and grit, Dr. Layne McDonald