Step 1: Read the Room

Recently, I decided to try a new Mexican restaurant.
Why? I honestly don’t know.
We already have a great one, we go every Friday.
But something in me said, “Let’s try something different. Let’s make a mistake.”

We walk in… and nothing happens.

No greeting.
No smile.
No “Hi, welcome!”
Just silence.

There’s a hostess stand.
There’s a hostess.
She’s simply not interested in being part of my story.

I’m standing there wondering, “Do we seat ourselves? Is this like those self-check-in kiosks at the airport?”

Finally, after an awkward amount of time, she looks up and says,
“Oh, you can sit anywhere.”

Which, in restaurant language, translates to:
“Good luck, buddy.”

We sit down. I try to be patient.
“They’re probably busy,” I tell myself.

They weren’t.
There were three other people in the entire place.
And two of them looked like they worked there.

Before we even ordered, I knew-
We’re not coming back.

Why?
Because of the vibe.
The culture.

It felt like waiting at the DMV for my number to be called.
The people working there weren’t reading the room.
They had no idea what kind of atmosphere they were creating.

But Then There’s Our Favorite Spot…

Now, compare that to our usual place—El Sereno in Powdersville.

We walk in, and instantly we’re treated like family.
Smiles. Waves. Warm greetings.

Ashley, our waitress, lights up when she sees us—and we look forward to seeing her.

And here’s the kicker:

It’s the same food.
The same tacos.
Yet somehow, they taste better.

Why?
Because they care.
Because the culture is different.

That’s when it hit me:

It’s not the tacos.
It’s the culture.

Culture is that invisible force shaping every interaction, every first impression, every experience—long before anyone hears a sermon or a song.

It’s why some churches grow and others don’t.
And if you’re not careful, culture will take on a life of its own—one you never intended.

Step 1: Read the Room

If you want to build a healthy church culture, start with awareness.

Take a few Sundays to simply watch what happens before service begins:

• Where are people naturally gathering?

• Are volunteers welcoming… or just talking to their friends?

• Is that single mom juggling three kids at check-in being helped—or ignored?

• Are you using insider language on stage that visitors won’t understand?

Culture lives in these tiny, ordinary moments.
Every handshake.
Every smile.
Every “Hey, we’re glad you’re here.”

Ask a trusted team member to “spy” on the lobby or parking lot for a week.
Tell them to notice everything—body language, conversations, energy, gaps.
And when they bring their observations back?
Don’t get defensive.
Listen. Learn. Adjust.

Because here’s the truth:

People decide if they’ll come back long before the sermon starts.
Culture is what they feel before a word is spoken.