# If You're Going to Do it, Make it Excellent

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/church-staff-book-club-7646058/if-you-re-going-to-do-it-make-it-excellent
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/church-staff-book-club-7646058/if-you-re-going-to-do-it-make-it-excellent.md
Podcast: [Church Staff Book Club](https://stenobird.com/podcast/church-staff-book-club-7646058)
Published: 2026-02-24T15:26:38+00:00
Episode link: https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7a2751be1aede6e804d37c5f148e0e758b34a962f8e8f9c089128e8e7a994a81/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5NTI2NDJiOC01YjgxLTQyZDAtODc0OC1lNTk4YzQ1ZmY0NDUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxNzQzYmQ3My1kMGNkLTRhMjAtYTIyMS0wYTczMmUyMDQxZTkiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OGMxY2FkMzNhMzk0ZmE2NjA0MjBmNDIiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk5ZGMzMmVhMDM3ZTU0ODJhNjdiMzhjL2pvbmF0aGFuLW1hbG1zLXN0dWRpby1jb21wb3Nlci0yMDI2LTItMjRfXzE2LTI2LTM4Lm1wMyJ9.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1915

## Resource

Welcome back to Church Staff Book Club with Jonathan Malm and Jason Young ! In Episode 8 , we’re walking through Chapter 8 of The Come Back Effect – our book on church hospitality and guest experience – where we challenge a mindset that quietly keeps people from returning: “Just okay” hospitality. Most churches don’t have bad hospitality… they have forgettable hospitality. And “good enough” doesn’t usually offend anyone— it just silently convinces guests not to come back . In this episode, we talk about the difference between excellence and perfection , why churches unintentionally settle, and how to make small upgrades that build trust and help people feel seen, safe, and truly welcomed . What you’ll learn in this episode: Why average experiences rarely inspire return The difference between excellence vs. perfectionism in church hospitality 5 common reasons churches settle for “good enough” Why hospitality is about the welcome , not the production value Small, practical upgrades that make church feel intentional (without a bigger budget) How volunteer presence, warmth, and consistency create memorable moments Why guests decide to return based on trust, not polish Key ideas from this episode: ✅ Excellence isn’t fancy. ✅ Excellence isn’t expensive. ✅ Excellence is care. People don’t return because everything was flawless— they return because something felt intentional . Sponsor First Impressions helps churches create meaningful connections with guests—from first-time visits to lifelong discipleship. Conferences, Academy training, coaching, systems, and proven follow-up strategies: firstimpressions.church Next Steps 📘 We’re nearing the end of The Come Back Effect . Chapter 9 and Chapter 10 are next , then we’ll move to a new book. Have a recommendation for what we should…

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## Transcript

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